Anita Ford Saunders

Director of Advancement Communications

Trinity College

Anita Ford Saunders, APR, a veteran in the communication and public relations profession, has over 30 years experience creating and implementing strategic communications plans for corporate and community-based organizations. A seasoned writer, producer, and broadcast professional, her knowledge of the media is matched only by her community involvement on over 20 civic and professional boards during her career.

In October 2018, Anita joined Trinity College as Director of Advancement Communications. Before her move to Trinity, Anita held the position of Director of Marketing Communications for United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. Saunders previously served as Manager of Communications for Yankee Gas Services Company after a decade as owner and principal consultant of Anita Ford Saunders Communication, a mission-related strategic public relations firm.

Anita held the position of Senior Communications Officer and later Senior Communications Consultant for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Greater Hartford’s community-wide charitable endowment before starting her consulting business. At the Foundation she was responsible for the strategic planning and management of public relations and communications efforts.

Before her position at HFPG, Anita served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Connecticut Public Television & Radio responsible for the management of an award-winning staff who created and implemented promotional strategies and campaigns for the statewide public broadcasting network. Anita was in charge of the implementation of strategic promotion for the premier of UConn Women’s Basketball on CPTV, which won a Connecticut Innovation Award in its second year. In addition to her work at CPTV, Anita perfected her craft at WFSB-TV 3, WVIT-NBC 30, and television stations in Washington, DC, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

Her collaborative work earned her Gold and Silver Mercury Awards from the CT Valley Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Saunders earned three Emmy Awards and received a first place award for excellence in journalism from the Society for Professional Journalists.

Anita holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from American University in Washington, DC and a Master of Science degree in Organizational and Managerial Communication from Central Connecticut State University. She earned the designation of APR, Accredited in Public Relations, from the Universal Accreditation Board of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Anita is a member of the PRSA Board of Ethics and Professional Standards. She serves as an ambassador for The Village and sits on their communications and marketing committee. Saunders is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and Immediate Past President of the Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter of this international service sorority.