How to Tell the Story

Danny Bivins, Assistant Director for Infrastructure and Community Resilience, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Bivins, who joined the Institute of Government in 2012, has extensive experience in downtown development, planning and design. He specializes in working with local governments utilizing an asset-based, community development approach. Bivins co-developed and manages the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership, an initiative with multiple key partners: the University of Georgia, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), the Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF) and the Lyndhurst Foundation. His efforts through the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership have led to the successful implementation of sustainable community redevelopment initiatives. His previous experience includes eight years with the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, where he co-developed the Cities and Downtown: Building Blocks to Recovery Initiative, a partnership between UGA, GMA, GCF and Georgia Cities. Prior to joining the Fanning Institute, Bivins served as the program coordinator for the Georgia Historic Resource Survey Program, “Find It.” There, he helped initiate a joint venture between the University of Georgia, the Georgia Transmission Corporation, and the State of Georgia’s Historic Preservation Division to document Georgia’s historic resources.

Kaitlin McShea Messich, Public Service Associate, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

As art director at the Institute of Government, Messich leads the nationally recognized Community Branding Program, made up of a team of designers that collaborates with faculty and community partners to deliver branding, placemaking, and community design projects that help cities and regions strengthen their identity, attract investment, support tourism, and improve quality of life. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Messich provides creative direction for major Institute initiatives and placemaking efforts, translating complex ideas into clear, actionable visual strategies that support economic development across Georgia. She also collaborates with faculty to co-teach courses for elected officials and economic developers on effective community branding and marketing strategies, equipping local leaders with practical tools to implement and sustain these efforts in their communities.

Margaret Blanchard, Public Relations Coordinator, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Blanchard brings more than 25 years of experience in writing, editing and public relations to the Institute of Government. As public relations coordinator, she creates story ideas and writes regular features, composes news releases, and develops web content and promotions to drive interest in the institution. She previously served as communications director for UGA’s Peabody Awards, based at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Her background includes developing strategic communications for nonprofits, writing and editing for newspapers and magazines, and managing public service and outreach programs.