FOR RELEASE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022
CONTACT: Deacon Jim Armstrong, APR, executive director of communications
jarmstrong@dioceseofcleveland.org
216-696-6525 Ext. 3290
Cleveland, Ohio -- After an extensive search, the Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, announces the appointment of Nancy Fishburn to serve as executive director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Fishburn will succeed Deacon Jim Armstrong who is retiring from the position in October.
As executive director of communications, Fishburn will be responsible for the implementation of communication policy and programs that support the mission of the Church. Under the direction of the bishop, she will be responsible for the oversight and management of the daily activity of the diocesan communication function. In addition, Fishburn will implement strategic communications plans in order to proactively promote the work of the Church through a variety of communication channels. Her leadership and management responsibilities will include communications policy development, media relations, crisis communications management, public relations and administration.
Fishburn has extensive experience in communications and marketing having served in healthcare and corporate organizations for over two decades. She has successfully held communications management positions at Vitamix Corp., the MetroHealth System, Antares Management Solutions and Medical Mutual of Ohio. Her experience includes working as communications manager for Penton Media and as reporter for a local suburban newspaper. Her accomplishments include improving communications channels and engagement among stakeholders and successfully executing detailed communications plans and strategies.
Fishburn holds a master of business administration degree from Ashland University and a bachelor of arts degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University. She also has merited certification in healthcare management from Case Western Reserve University, public relations from the Arthur Page Society and advanced public information officer training from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She has multiple awards for her work in digital and integrated marketing as well as website design.
Fishburn is a member of St. Joseph Parish in Avon Lake.
About the Diocese of Cleveland
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was founded on April 23, 1847. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, JCL, Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, the diocese is the twenty-third largest in the United States. The diocese encompasses the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Wayne and Ashland. There are more than 613,000 Catholics in the Diocese, and Catholic Charities-Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the world. There are 185 parishes, 106 Catholic schools, one pastoral center and one mission office within the diocese. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is located in downtown Cleveland.