Sherry Sanderford graduated magna cum laude from  Florida State in 1989 with her Bachelor of Science in Communications. In the last twenty five years, Sanderford’s career path has taken her into different industries, from non-profits to financial services.

Today, she serves as Senior Director of Communications at Aetna; a health care company that sells traditional and consumer-directed insurance plans. The company’s growth has exploded in the last decade, jumping from earnings of $1.1 billion in 2005 to $47.3 billion in the 2013 fiscal year.

Sanderford’s time at Aetna started in 1999 as a Regional Internal Communications Manager, working to develop and implement internal communications for Aetna’s business objectives. After five years, she was promoted to Communications Director, where she led communications for a range of Aetna businesses. After almost ten years, she was promoted to the Senior Director of Communications.

Before her time at Aetna, Sanderford worked for the Florida Institute of CPAs, Barnett Banks, the American Cancer Society and Prudential Healthcare. “My time at FSU helped establish a solid foundation for my career,” she shared. “I learned how to put outspokenness and a naturally curious mind to work in building public relations strategies for different industries.”

“My time at Florida State was invaluable.”

For more information on the Communications programs at Florida State, click here.