La Follette High School (LHS) class of 2005 alumna Anne Marie (Annie) Malecha is the Executive Vice President and Partner of a Washington, DC-based Management Consulting Firm, called Dezenhall Resources, that focuses on Crisis Management, Public Affairs and Litigation Communication. Anne Marie directs the firm’s client services and public affairs strategy and specializes in crisis communications, advocacy strategy and reputation management. She’s counseled a wide range of Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and national non-profit organizations in the U.S. and internationally in the defense, food and agriculture, consumer product, legal, healthcare, biotechnology, energy, financial services, technology, education and retail sectors. She also leads Dezenhall’s executive media training team.

Prior to joining Dezenhall Resources, Anne Marie started her career in the public sector as a communications and legislative professional on Capitol Hill. She served as communications director and on-the-record spokesman for Congressman Robert Aderholt during his chairmanships of the House Appropriations Homeland Security and Agriculture Subcommittees. During her tenure in government, Anne Marie also served in the congressional offices of representatives from Minnesota and Texas.

Anne Marie received a bachelor’s degree in international busines, political science and strategic communications from the University of Minnesota (UNM) and likes to say that she is “really living her majors.” She credits much of her success to her experiences at both LHS and UNM commenting:

My academic experience was critical in getting me to where I am now. Thanks to LHS, I am a lifelong learner and my high school education prepared me extremely well for the academic rigor of college and the complexity of the business world.

Anne Marie currently lives in Washington, DC with her rescue pup, Layla, but still holds an unending love for all things Sconnie - particularly enjoying lake life, cheese and the one and only Green Bay Packers. She is also an active member of the La Follette High School Board of Visitors, serving as the Director & Co-Lead of the Community Relations Team.

Madison’s public schools are proud to count Anne Marie among their alumni!

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