Navigating Public Opposition
Tue, Mar 31
|Virtual - Zoom
Learn how public engagement can shift from opposition to collaboration through trust, transparency and inclusive communication.
Time & Location
Mar 31, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Virtual - Zoom
About the event
Public engagement is essential—but it isn’t always easy. When communities feel unheard or processes lack clarity, engagement can turn into opposition. Join us for this Lunch and Learn to explore what drives public backlash and how to navigate the line between dialogue and conflict. Come learn practical strategies for building trust, increasing transparency, and using proactive, inclusive communication to turn challenges into collaboration.
About the Speaker
Melanie Lawson is the Public Outreach Director at the Pima Association of Governments (PAG). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Communication from the University of Southern California.
Before joining PAG in early 2024, Melanie spent nearly 15 years working in the mining industry across the western United States, where she focused on community engagement, local employment, and procurement programs to support economic development and build strong relationships with local communities.
Outside…