Jessica S.

About Jessica S.

I believe great missions deserve great storytelling, the kind that inspires people to act and fuels lasting change.As a marketing and brand strategy executive with 20+ years of experience, I help mission-driven organizations grow their reach, influence, and revenue through compelling storytelling, scalable systems, and audience-centered messaging. My career spans education, nonprofit, healthcare, and corporate sectors, giving me a versatile lens to transform brands and build marketing functions that deliver measurable impact.I specialize in- Leading rebrands and integrated campaigns that elevate visibility and strengthen donor engagement- Building and scaling marketing & communications departments to align with organizational growth- Driving digital strategy, fundraising communications, and brand storytelling that moves supporters to act- Mentoring and empowering teams to thrive in fast-changing environmentsAcross every role, I have been recognized for combining strategic vision with hands-on leadership to help organizations clarify their message, engage their audiences, and accelerate results. From turnarounds to periods of rapid growth, I have built best-practice-driven marketing engines that deliver both efficiency and influence.Recognition for this work includes- 2022 PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Award- Multiple International Business Awards for Marketing & Communications Leadership- PR News and American Business Awards honors for department excellence, innovation, and internal communicationsI am driven by a simple belief: when organizations with great missions tell their story well, they change the world.

Experience

1. Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

   YAI

   Jul 2024 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Oversee the strategic vision, brand leadership, and execution of all marketing and communications for a multi-entity nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, partnering across fundraising, programs, and policy to align marketing strategies with organizational priorities and drive growth across 300+ programs in multiple states. Recognized for transforming YAI’s marketing function into a structured, best-practice-driven department that delivers measurable results and strengthens organizational impact.Key Achievements- Transformed digital strategy, driving a 611% increase in audience reach and a 36% lift in engagement across social platforms in under a year- Redesigned YAI’s flagship fundraising event marketing, resulting in a 115% surge in registrations and a 19% increase in donations within weeks of launch- Secured board and executive approval for a full rebrand, unifying messaging, design, and values to strengthen organizational identity across the YAI Network- Tripled year-over-year media placements and doubled thought leadership visibility by leveraging timely media moments, elevating experts, and strengthening press relationships- Modernized internal communications and workflows, improving collaboration, reducing redundancies, and boosting efficiency across departments- Built strategic partnerships with peer organizations, advancing multi-year goals and expanding YAI’s influence in the disability services field- Achieved a 20% year-over-year increase in newsletter subscribers.

Education

• Marymount Manhattan College

  BA, English