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 Meet Chartese Burnett
This year, we are honored to present a keynote address by Vice President of Communications and Community Relations for the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, and also a determined cancer survivor - Chartese Burnett. Her presence is in keeping with this year's theme of "Conquering the Chaos - Women Meeting the Challenge."
Her Professional Success
It was 1987 when she took her first sports communications position at her alma mater Georgetown University, where she served four years in the Sports Information Office, before departing as Director of Sports Information in 1991. From 1991-1993, Burnett was Assistant Media Relations Director with the NBA, in New York, followed by five years as Assistant Vice President of Communications for PLAYERS INC - the licensing and marketing for-profit arm of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). Burnett left sports for a brief stint at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as Special Assistant to the Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs. She lead Public Affairs programs, including Special Events, Astronaut Appearances, Exhibits, Visual Identity, and Space Shuttle Launch Guest Operations. Burnett returned to sports to become one of only three African-American women Vice Presidents in Major League Baseball. Currently into her fifth season as Vice President of Communications and Community Relations for the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, Burnett represents the organization to the media and community by acting as spokesperson for the club. She was recently nominated for the 2009 Greater Washington Sports Alliance Sports Executive of the Year. In addition, Burnett teaches a Sports Communications and Public Relations course for candidates pursuing a Master’s Degree as an adjunct professor in the Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management Program for the School of Continuing Studies.
Her Personal Victory
In 1999 Burnett had an x-ray for a persistent cough. Little did she know that her struggle to conquer the world of sports as an African-American woman would be overshadowed by her fight to beat cancer. She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. After six months of chemotherapy and eight weeks of radiation, Burnett was declared cancer free.
Her Fight for the Cause
Today, Burnett participates in non-profit organizations including the Leukemia& Lymphoma Society, Becky’s Fund (domestic violence awareness), and Heart of America (literacy). Burnett has served on the Board of Trustees for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for over six years, of which she was named Woman of the Year, in 2008 for raising over $89,000. At the National level, Burnett was inaugurated into the Leadership Team for the 2009 Campaign, in which the candidates raised a record-setting $897,000.
Her Commitment to Family
Burnett resides in Prince George’s County Maryland with her husband and two daughters Lisette (14) and Giovanna (4).
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