The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- January 4, 1999

Edwards named vice-president of public affairs

The NCAA has named Danita V. Edwards, director of public relations for Anthem, Inc., in Indianapolis, as vice-president for public affairs.

She will assume her new duties with the national office staff January 19.

Edwards has headed corporate communications for Anthem, a $1.5 billion health-care management company, since June 1997. In that role, she has been responsible for developing corporate position statements; managing relationships with agencies, consultants and communications organizations; and providing public relations consultation to Anthem staff and affiliated companies. Edwards also was primary spokesperson for the company.

Edwards is a 14-year veteran of public relations management in the private, government and community sectors. She also has served as public relations co-chair for the 1997 and, until this appointment, 2000 NCAA Final Four local organizing committees in Indianapolis.

"Danita brings very special qualities to our staff," NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey said. "Her public relations experience across a broad spectrum of business and government efforts is impressive, but her greatest talent may be her ability to connect with people. I know she will be a real asset to our staff."

Before joining the Anthem staff, she spent four years as director of communications for the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, where she developed the chamber's public relations plan and handled media and community relations.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia, school of journalism, Edwards has served as deputy director for communications and public affairs for the Council of State Governments; director of media and public relations for the United Way of Central Iowa; and executive assistant to Iowa's first female lieutenant governor (Jo Ann Zimmerman).

She also has served as information specialist for the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women and as public relations manager for the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs.

Edwards is a member of Public Relations Society of America; a board member of the United Way of Central Indiana Information and Referral Network, Inc.; a member of the United Way of Central Indiana Marketing Committee; a board member of The Wellness Community; and a member of the Marketing Board of Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.