Denise Dunckel
The Beer Institute has hired Denise Dunckel as vice president for public affairs, effective September 14.

Dunckel will lead the Beer Institute’s public affairs strategy directed at policymakers, the media, the alcohol beverage industry and other key stakeholders. She succeeds Chris Thorne, who has become a consultant to the institute and will soon open a media and communications practice in Washington.

Dunckel previously served as senior vice president, external affairs, with Blackstone’s Invitation Homes.

From 2012 to 2014, Dunckel was a senior ssociate director with the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Before that, Dunckel worked in the Washington office of Visa, Inc. as a senior business leader of global corporate communications.

Dunckel has also held communications positions with the Education Department, the House and Urban Development Department and the White House, as well as a number of presidential campaigns.