Prior to joining the agency, she worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration where she handled crisis communications for high profile vehicle defect issues, including the Takata air bag recalls that affected more than 37 million vehicles in the U.S., garnered international press coverage and resulted in numerous Senate and House hearings. Howden also worked on communications strategies for national safety awareness campaigns including Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Child Passenger Safety Week, and Distracted Driving Month.

Howden earned a Master in Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami.