Carly Porter joined ThinkTennessee as an External Relations Associate in August 2023, where she provides communications, graphic design, development, and event-planning support for the organization’s initiatives.

Previously, Carly worked as a Communications Specialist for the Tennessee Department of Treasury, where she supported communications and outreach efforts for the department’s college savings, financial literacy, state retirement, and unclaimed property programs.

Carly recently earned her Master of Science degree in Communication and Information, Public Relations from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she focused her graduate research on corporate social advocacy and nonprofit public relations. Carly also assisted the UT Knoxville Graduate School with their communications projects as a graduate research assistant, supporting their social media, outreach, and recruitment efforts. She previously earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from UT Knoxville in English Literature.

Carly is passionate about using public relations for issue advocacy and social impact, and she is thrilled to be working with other professionals at ThinkTennessee who are committed to improving our state. When she isn’t strategizing about the best ways to engage Tennesseans in important civic issues, Carly can usually be found exploring her new Nashville home, trying out new recipes, and traveling.