Press Release
National Beer Wholesalers Association Adds Veteran Communicator Erin Donar
Media contact: Erin Donar | EDonar@nbwa.org | 703-229-3702
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) announced today it has named Erin Donar as Vice President of Communications. Donar brings more than 15 years of communications and public affairs experience to NBWA, including roles in the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the House and Senate and private sector. She will lead the association’s communications and public affairs team and its work advocating for America’s over 3,000 independent beer distributors.
“We’re thrilled to have Erin as part of the NBWA family,” said NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser. “Having served in the Administration, Congress and the private sector, she has the broad experience and expertise needed to drive our communications efforts on the issues important to the beer distribution industry. Particularly as we continue to recover from the disruption of the past year, Erin will be a key leader in our work to support our members and amplify their voice.”
“I’m incredibly excited to join the dynamic team at NBWA and get to work on behalf of America’s independent beer distributors. NBWA’s members are leaders in their communities, providing more than 140,000 jobs across the country and helping ensure Americans can be confident in the safety and integrity of products they consume. And of course, they provide the beer that brings people together,” said Donar.
Donar joins NBWA from H&R Block, where she led the company’s policy communications, thought leadership and third-party outreach as Director of Government Relations, Public Affairs and Policy. She previously served as Head of Communications for Home Lending at Chase. Her government experience includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson for Public Affairs at the U.S Department of the Treasury, focusing on tax, economic and budget issues. Prior to that, she served as Press Secretary for former Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), including supporting the Senator’s work as Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Her experience in the U.S. House of Representatives includes communications roles with the House Small Business Committee and former Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI).
Erin has a degree in political science from Yale University. She lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband and daughter.
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system. Distributors build brands of all sizes – from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world – and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 140,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and reduce underage drinking.