Communicating in a Global Pandemic

In her role as deputy commissioner and general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Human Resources, Leslie Farmer is responsible for all matters dealing with departmental operations, legislative affairs and media relations, employee relations, employee disciplinary appeals, mediation, workplace discrimination and harassment, quality assurance, records management, as well as the review of certain statewide employee transactions fall under her review. Additionally, she oversees all legal issues within the department, offering counsel and advice to her agency, other state agencies and individuals on employment law matters. Farmer previously served as the EEO administrator and deputy general counsel for the Department. Prior to joining the Department in February 2013, she served as the assistant general counsel for civil rights for the Tennessee Department of Education and also worked in private practice in Memphis, representing clients in the areas of criminal defense, family law, personal injury and general civil litigation. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UT Chattanooga and a law degree from the University of Memphis. She is a graduate of Lead Tennessee, Tennessee Government Executive Institute, the Department of Human Resources Executive Leadership Institute and the Tennessee Bar Association’s Leadership Law. She also has been trained as a Rule 31 mediator.

In her role as director of public affairs for AAA, Stephanie Milani is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the organization’s reputation as the most trusted and vocal advocate on issues affecting motorists and other travelers. She oversees community affairs, media relations, traffic safety advocacy and corporate citizenship efforts for the Auto Club Group’s operations in Tennessee. Previously she served as the organization’s public affairs specialist and planned and executed community and branch office events that drew crowds of 50 to 2,500 or more people. She also wrote and edited content for AAA’s member publication, Going Places, which has a circulation of 150,000. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from UT Knoxville and is recognized as an accredited public relations professional by the Public Relations Society of America.

Becky Thompson serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Planning for the University of Tennessee Medical Center, a 685-bed, not-for-profit academic medical center located in Knoxville, TN.

Becky has been with the University of Tennessee Medical Center since 2003 and is responsible for marketing, public relations, strategic planning, and patient experience functions for the Medical Center. She serves on numerous committees, maintains close working relationships with team members, physicians, and business and community leaders.

Becky earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Memphis. Becky is married to Joe and has two children, Madeline and Harrison.