Matt Haugen is the associate vice president of public engagement and communications for Child Trends. He oversees the Strategic Communications team and supports similar efforts across the organization. Matt is passionate about the mission of improving outcomes for children and families via evidence-based policies informed by the valuable research of Child Trends experts.

Matt has extensive experience with digital marketing, public relations, journalism, advocacy, and fundraising. Before joining Child Trends, Matt was director of content strategy for StoryTeller Marketing & Communications, where he helped businesses increase their web traffic and sales via SEO-optimized content and lead-nurturing campaigns.

Before that, Matt spent 10 years as a communications and fundraising leader at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, executing a comprehensive capital campaign and strategic communications plan that more than doubled the impact of the organization.

Matt also spent a decade in leadership positions in television news. As executive producer at FOX 9 KMSP-TV, Matt dramatically grew viewership, expanded programming, integrated social media into newscasts, and ultimately oversaw 30+ hours of live news and entertainment television every week. Before that, Matt produced the WCCO-TV morning news and led it to #1 ratings in the Twin Cities market.

Matt earned both his undergraduate degree in communications and Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University.