Daydream Communications Adds Former SAMHSA Marketing Leader to Team

Sara Nelson Brings Award-Winning Expertise from Leading National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and California Department of Public Health Campaigns

Sara Nelson

NORWALK, CONN. (Feb. 17, 2026) – Daydream Communications, a women-owned marketing agency specializing in behavioral health, public health, and nonprofit communications, announced today that Sara Nelson has joined the agency as Senior Account Director. Sara brings award-winning national expertise in behavioral health marketing and more than a decade of experience leading health equity and social impact communications.

Most recently, Sara served at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), where she led the national marketing efforts for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Under her leadership, the campaign earned both a 2025 Silver ADDY Award and a 2025 Bronze Telly Award. Her work guided strategy, creative development, audience research, testing, and media planning to build awareness and engagement with the Lifeline nationwide.

"Sara brings the high-level strategic thinking needed to create campaigns where effectiveness isn't just measured in impressions, but in public health impact," said Katie Gallo, Founder and CEO of Daydream Communications. "Her experience leading national campaigns and initiatives at SAMHSA and the CDC, directing statewide public health communications, and working at the community level brings our clients expertise they won't find at most agencies."

Sara's experience spans the full spectrum of health communications—from national initiatives to statewide campaigns to community-based efforts. She previously directed statewide public health campaigns at the California Department of Public Health, including multilingual COVID-19 and Valley Fever initiatives that earned the 2021 PHAME Award for Outstanding Achievement. Before joining the public sector, she ran her own consulting firm for more than a decade, advising organizations across sectors on health and social impact communications.

"I'm thrilled to join Daydream Communications and work with a team that understands health communications isn't just about awareness—it's about helping to create pathways to support and services," said Sara. “Working alongside a team committed to supporting organizations doing mission-critical health work is what drew me to Daydream Communications."

Daydream Communications' award-winning work includes Gold Communicator Awards for OK to Talk About It and Get Vaccinated CT, a Gold MarCom Award for You Think You Know, and Lamplighter Awards for OK to Talk About It and You Think You Know. In January 2025, the agency became Connecticut's first certified Recovery Friendly Workplace in the marketing sector.

About Daydream Communications Daydream Communications is a women-owned marketing agency based in Connecticut serving clients nationwide. With specialized experience in healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and nonprofit marketing, the agency offers a full range of services, including strategy, branding, creative services, traditional and digital marketing, social media, and content creation. As Connecticut's first certified Recovery-Friendly Workplace in the marketing sector, Daydream Communications helps organizations amplify their voice and achieve their goals. For more information, visit daydreamcommunications.com.