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Ilene Lefland is vice president of the consumer group at Jacobs & Prosek Public Relations. She has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and journalism, specializing in issues relating to healthcare and government. Ilene began her career as a radio news reporter, writer and anchor, working at a number of radio stations throughout the country. Her last assignment brought her to Hartford, where she covered the Connecticut State Capitol, the courts and local government. Moving over to the other side of the microphone, Ilene served as press secretary during the 1986 Connecticut gubernatorial campaign of Republican candidate Julie Belaga. From there, she returned to the State Capitol in a different capacity -- working in the press office of the House Republican Caucus writing news releases, speeches and editorials for 20 state lawmakers. Ilene's skills in crisis communications, media relations, and government relations were honed at Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, where she was the public relations specialist for seven years. In addition to serving as the agency's primary media contact and spokesperson, she played a key role in the grassroots campaign leading to passage of the first abortion rights legislation in the nation enacted by a state government. After spending a year as a freelance writer and consultant, Ilene joined the Yale Cancer Center as public affairs manager. During her five-year tenure she oversaw all media relations, publications, special events and an Internet Web site for the nationally-acclaimed cancer research and treatment center. Ilene received a bachelors of Science degree in Communication Arts with a concentration in broadcast journalism from Cornell University. | 