• Home
• Help
• Search
• Text Version

Public Information Office Staff

Chief Communications Officer: Amelia Hamilton-Morris

Amelia Hamilton-Morris is a communications strategist with 20 years of experience in high profile public relations, broadcasting, and marketing positions. Over the years, she has built a reputation as an aggressive professional, noted for the ability to get results, and communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences. She has spent several years as a television reporter and producer for KPRC-TV in Houston, Texas where she won numerous awards for her work on the state, national and international levels. Amelia has also worked for NBC Network in Washington, D.C. and WOI-TV-5 in Des Moines as well as in corporate communications for Fortune 500 companies.

Hamilton-Morris had outstanding success in managing the statewide public relations campaign of the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission. The commission was led by two Iowa governors who were charged with planning and managing the yearlong celebration of Iowa’s 150th Anniversary of Statehood. Her career skills include coordinating a range of projects -- marketing, promotions, publications, video production, on-camera talent, project management, media relations, event planning, and web site design and content.

In her present position as Chief Communications Officer for the City of Des Moines, she manages the Public Information Office under the direct supervision of the City Manager. She directs the activities for the City's Cable Channel, DMTV- 7 and the City's web site. She is also responsible for media relations, employee communications, event planning, and speech writing.

Amelia Hamilton-Morris received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Spelman College in Atlanta Georgia and her Masters of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Public Affairs from the American University in Washington, D.C. Her professional recognitions include:

• Outstanding Iowa Advocate Award, Public Relations Society of America, Central Iowa
• Iowa Tourism Conference Special Event of the Year Award, Festival of Iowa Folklife
• Movies to Go Iowa Film Award, My Iowa Video, Sesquicentennial Category Winner
• National Governors’ Association for Distinguished Service to the Arts
• Citation of Excellence, Advertising Professionals of DSM
• Bronze Quill Award, Iowa Chapter, International Association of Business Communicators Citation of Excellence, Advertising Professionals of DSM
• National Unity Award in Media, Educational Reporting
• Silver Award, Houston International Film Festival
• UPI Broadcasters of Texas Award of Excellence
• Silver Star of Texas for Excellence in Health Communications
• Anson Jones Award for Excellence in Communicating Health Information to the Public
• Sigma Theta Tau Award from the Texas Nursing Association Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award
• Women at Work Broadcast Award
• Outstanding Young Women in America
• Gold Quill Award of Excellence, International Association of Business Communicators
• Who's Who Among Students at American Colleges and Universities

Communications Specialist: Shekinah Young

Shekinah Young has been with the Public Information Office (PIO) since March, 2008 when she began working as an intern. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Drake University, she was hired full time as a Communications Specialist in the PIO. Shekinah worked tirelessly with the Public Information Office, prior to and during the Flood of 2008. She has also served as an intern at Des Moines Waterworks. Optimism, determination, and a positive attitude are what drive Shekinah to continue her work with excellence, serving the citizens of Des Moines daily.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Communications Officer, Shekinah’s responsibilities in the Public Information Office consist of coordinating video productions, and programming for DMTV Cable Channel 7. She is also responsible for preparing and distributing press releases and maintaining public awareness of departmental and city programs.

Shekinah has been very involved with the Des Moines community as a mentor of Youth Achievers Program, co-founder of the Back to School Bash, graduate of the Donald V. Adams Leadership Academy and held various leadership positions while at Drake University. Shekinah brings her commitment to excellence, positive nature, leadership abilities and community service focus to the City of Des Moines. She is a native of Chicago Illinois.