Sean Casey: Thriving Through Disability

As Senior Director of Communications, Military & Veteran Affairs, Sean Casey develops internal and external communication plans delivering company news and information impacting members of the military community. Prior to joining Comcast NBCUniversal, Casey has served in the U.S. Army since 2003, and  was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2011. Learn more about his journey below.

Q: How did your experiences in both the military and civilian sectors prepare you for your role at Comcast?

A: “In 2011, I became a public affairs officer in the Army Reserve. The position, and the certification training at the Defense Information School at Ft. Meade, MD,  gave me a fantastic foundation in communications and public relations. I learned how to develop communication strategies and plans to help organizations achieve their goals in connecting with employees, customers, or other stakeholders.”

“The training and job experience from the Army also helped me compete for public relations jobs in the civilian sector. In 2014, I landed my first full-time position on the corporate communications and public relations team for a global education nonprofit. At this organization, I grew professionally by managing executive communications, social media operations, and content production, which are valuable skills in today's marketplace.”

“Without my previous experiences in the military and civilian sectors, I would not have been prepared to compete for my job managing communications about Comcast NBCUniversal's Military Engagement initiatives. I'm incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to use my professional skills to support programs directly impacting my military brothers and sisters.” 

Q: What impact did your diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have on you?

A: “After numerous experiences overseas, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2011. At their height, my PTSD symptoms sapped my self-confidence. It became difficult to function at work and in my personal life as I struggled to manage anxiety and depression. However, through VA counseling, I developed coping skills that not only brought me back to a baseline but enhanced my life overall.”

“The inward-looking work I did with my counselor made me more self-aware, including my strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. I was then able to effectively articulate these aspects of myself to employers, which made me more confident in searching for job opportunities and presenting myself during interviews.”

Q: What drew you to Comcast and how do you stay engaged with the military community?

A: “To work for such a dynamic company in an area close to my heart is incredibly motivating. I joined the company in June 2019 as director of Communications of Military and Veteran Affairs.”

“In 2021, I was promoted from director to senior director. This new role broadened my scope of responsibilities, such as managing direct reports, developing new partnerships with veteran-serving organizations, and having a more direct role  shaping the team's strategic goals.”

“As an employee, the company has great resources for someone like me. ComPsych connects employees to clinicians and counselors to support healthy mental wellness. myStrength is another resource offering self-care behavioral health resources to manage things like stress.”

“It can be challenging revealing your disability to others, especially in the workplace. But our Veterans Network enable me to be more comfortable because I’m surrounded by colleagues who share similar experiences and understanding.”

“I've grown a lot by learning from my colleagues and understanding more about the media and technology business.”

“I'm a member of all the ERGs but spend most of my participation time with Veterans Network and myAbilities, the ERG dedicated to empowering people with disabilities. Learning to live with a disability is common among post-9/11 veterans. 41% of post-9/11 veterans have a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, compared to 25% of veterans from other eras, according to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterans Network and myAbilities offer me a sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to learn from others' experiences.”