James Shackelford, APR

Vice President and Director, Public Information

James Shackelford leads engagement with amfAR’s external stakeholders, overseeing communications, talent, media relations, marketing, editorial and creative for the foundation.

Before joining amfAR, James held senior global in-house and agency roles, providing communications and brand counsel to leadership at Microsoft, Be The Match, UNICEF, Walmart, Aon, AARP and more.

Shackelford currently serves on the executive committee of the Public Relations Society of America Health Academy, the board of directors of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and the American Classical Orchestra and is a member of the Advisory Board of the St. John’s University Public Relations Program. He served on the national board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America from 2020-2022 and previously as national Chair of the PRSA Corporate Communications Section and Chair of the National Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

James is an active member of Chatham House, The National Press Club of D.C., the Chartered Institute for Public Relations and the World Communications Forum Association Davos.

To learn more, follow James on LinkedIn.