Pamela Baker-Masson
Director, Office of Public Affairs
As director of the Smithsonian’s Office of Public Affairs, Pamela Baker-Masson oversees integrated and multi-platform communications programs to support the Smithsonian Institution. She creates and implements strategic media initiatives, develops social media platforms, serves as communications advisor to senior leadership, oversees electronic publications, internal communications, crisis communications, and serves as a spokesperson.
At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, April 2007 – December 2023, Baker-Masson directed communications in support of the Zoo's conservation mission to save species. She is widely recognized for her innovative work on giant pandas. Baker-Masson also served as head of zoo exhibits.
Baker-Masson's cumulative experience in communications, media relations, development and marketing, along with her background with international programs has led her to work in numerous arenas across the globe. She has served as director for community outreach and public affairs at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, where she initiated several in-country academic and networking programs, director of communications for the international Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education/Joint Oceanographic Institutions, consultant for United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France, and manager of public affairs for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Baker-Masson’s awards include: 2023 Public Relations Society of America, Platinum Award; 2022 Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Excellence in outreach Award; 2017 Inducted into the PR News Hall of Fame; 2016, Public Relations Society of America’s Bronze Anvil Commendation for the #pandastory campaign; 2014 Bronze CLIO for the pioneering Endangered Song project and the 2014 Smithsonian Secretary's Excellence Award, Spirit of Innovation; 2013 PR News' Social Media Icon and 2011 PR News Platinum Award for the Amphibian Rescue PR Campaign.
She earned her professional accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America and earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her international education includes studies at the University of London in England and the Sorbonne in Paris.