Brandy Blanton
Creative, Open Source Intelligence Expert, Risk Manager, and Risk Taker
Experience
National Center for Healthcare Leadership
Research Coordinator, US Cooperative for International Patient Programs
Coordinated across multiple project teams and stakeholders to identify and analyze databases, websites, news
outlets, and other potential new business intelligence resources
- Conducted research for and wrote long-form country reports, including in-depth economic, political, and social analyses for numerous markets worldwide
- Synthesized information and produces/updates deliverables and tools via platforms such as ArcGIS Online and Qlik Sense as appropriate
- Used third-party software (e.g., Excel, Qualtrics, Qlik Sense, LucidPress/Marq, Canva) and research data repositories to develop queries, surveys, data descriptions, and visualizations
- Produced and managed a monthly market insights report by conducting event monitoring research in a variety of languages
- Developed deliverable descriptions, project plans, and timelines and assigned tasks to successfully complete
multiple projects against deadlines - Collected, inspected, cleaned, compiled, and uploaded data from USCIPP members to Qlik Sense
- Provided ongoing Qlik Sense dashboard and data reporting support to USCIPP members
- Assisted with the execution of member committee calls via Zoom both by running meetings and/or taking minutes
- Completed research projects as requested by USCIPP member hospitals
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
SOACC Intelligence Specialist and Crisis Reporter
- Functioned as crisis/breaking news reporter during incidents with the potential to impact Bank of America employees, operations, or assets as part of 24/7 global emergency management team
- Verified real-time news as it happens via social media and local news live streams before writing concise and accurate business reports to be distributed within minutes to senior leadership and key stakeholders
- Issued time sensitive reports within mandated time limits 100% of the time in 2019
- Completed Truncated Background Investigations using open source research at the request of protective service managers
- Assisted Bank of America’s Global Travel Security Program by writing travel advisories for both crisis and planned events
- Measured employee impact to emergency events using Visual Command Center
- Conducted independent daily monitoring of Far Right, Antifa, and other extremist groups for activity with the potential to impact Bank of America as a routine research request for the US Intelligence and Analysis Team
- Functioned as a member of the COVID-19 response team issuing breaking news alerts to upper management reporting directly to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan
- Served as a member of the Interim EMEA Core Team, monitoring for events with the potential for impact before drafting written items on these events for both the Daily Situation Report and the EMEA Intelligence
Digest
Wal-Mart
Cake Decorator
- Developed communication skills by taken detailed cake orders both in store and over the phone
- Decorated cakes to the specifications of the customer
- Anticipated supply needs and ordered materials as needed for the decoration of ordered cakes
- Learned and followed local and national Department of Health sanitation standards
Research
Master’s Thesis, “The Dialogue of Terrorism in Pop Culture and its Effects on the Masses: A Case Study of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
University of St. Andrews
- Designed a research project using both qualitative and quantitative methods to measure the relationship between terrorism studies themes and the Star Wars universe
- Devised a word associated survey using Qualtrics to compare the answers of Star Wars fans vs non-fans to determine how the two groups viewed terrorism differently
- Collected a data pool of 921 survey responses to analyze using SPSS statistical software
- Utilized NVivo to conduct a discourse analyze comparing the words and terms used by factual terrorist and government groups compared to the fictional universe of Star Wars
- Awarded the prize for best paper by a graduate student at the 2017 Pop Culture/American Culture Association of the South Conference
- Presented research findings as part of panels titled “The Military and Politics of Star Wars” at DragonCon 2017 and “Crimes and Politics in Star Wars” at DragonCon 2018
- Moderated panels based on this research at both Planet Comicon 2019 and DragonCon 2019 titled “Radicalism, Resistance, and Rebellion in Star Wars”
Undergraduate Research Grant, “Scottish Independence: A Youthful Voice”
South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
- Conducted research on the Scottish Independence Referendum, focusing on the opinions of Scots age 18-24
- Facilitated both oral and written interviews to better understand the views and concerns of young Scots
- Monitored news articles that pertain to and targeted young Scots
- Studied social media response to the Referendum
- Presented findings at the 2015 SCICU Research Symposium
Converse University Model NATO and Arab League Programs
- Gained insight in current international politics from multiple perspectives during weekly practices
- Learned about a variety of international issues including social, political, environmental, and nuclear affairs. Served as the Assistant Secretary General of Information at the 2013 National University Model Arab League
- Chaired at the 2013 International Model NATO conference in Washington, DC
- Acted as the Secretary General of the 2015 South East Regional Model Arab League Conference
- Coordinated the crises at the 2015 National University Model Arab League as the Joint Cabinet Crisis Coordinator
Contact
Brandy is always available to talk about her research or even the art of cake decorator.
blantonbrandy@gmail.com
Brandy Blanton, MLittt 