Driving communications to make an Impact.
my story
Emily Yankana is an emerging Social Media & PR professional who desires to empower brands, companies, and organizations to take their digital presence to the next level. She jumpstarted her career in 2019, serving as a social media coordinator for Carahsoft Technology Corporation. Shortly after, she was promoted to senior social media coordinator and social media account lead. Over the last two and a half years, she's guided junior team members, spearheaded social media campaigns, and helped position the company as a leader in government IT on social media platforms.
During her undergraduate career, Emily interned with the McCain Institute, DC SCORES, PR Collaborative, and Praescient Analytics and currently serves as a digital communications strategist for Riester Public Affairs, fostering her passion for policy and communications. Emily completed her Bachelor's degree in May 2019 at American University and returned in Fall 2021 to pursue a Master's degree in public policy (MPP). She is passionate about using social media and communications strategies to break boundaries, do social good, advance equity, and amplify underrepresented voices.
career skills
social media
social media strategy + content Development
social media scheduling
data analytics + metric tracking
Social Media Monitoring
Google analytics
Pr
Pr strategy + execution
Collateral creation
Press releases, news clips, Social media & PR kits
Media relations + pitching
news Clips
public policy
policy analysis
policy communications for social policy
social impact + advocacy communications
career experience
Riester Public Affairs
February 2022 - present
In February 2022, I joined the team full—time at Riester public affairs as a digital communications strategist. this position affords me the opportunity to merge my passions for public policy, advocacy, and communications. In this role I coordinate client social media efforts, conduct social media analytics and support the larger Riester team.
Carahsoft technology corporation
July 2019 - February 2022
following my undergraduate degree completion at American University, I joined the social media team at Carahsoft Technology Corporation in Reston, Va., as a social media marketing coordinator. I aided in the company's social media management efforts and executed large digital media campaigns to support the company's marketing efforts. This included campaigns for virtual and live events, lead generation, and ad campaigns executed with large-scale budgets.
On a daily basis, I drafted, scheduled, and monitored daily social media posts for Carahsoft's corporate and c-level executive accounts across Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. My efforts resulted in a promotion to the position of senior social media marketing coordinator. additional responsibilities included tracking my team's revenue-producing efforts via data analytics and CRM platform tracking.
internship experience
praescient analytics
jan - may 2019
as a social media strategy intern, I oversaw digital strategy efforts, delivered national security-driven messaging across social platforms, and produced collateral for award nominations and newsworthy events. I also created a handbook for future social media interns that outlined social media strategy and best practices.
mccain institute
sept - dec 2018
During my time at the McCain Institute as a communications intern, I conducted outreach, created weekly social media, analyzed social media analytics, and aided with event operations such as the Fall Leadership Voices event with New America.
dc scores
may - aug 2018
I produced and managed weekly social media content to increase engagement on various platforms among stakeholders as a communications and events intern. I analyzed social media analytics, aided with on-site program operations, and produced weekly blogs that expanded reach and showcased DC SCORES community impact upon 2,500+ DCPS students.
prssa - Washington media group
jan 2017 - may 2019
As a participant in this partnered program, I conducted client-competitor social media audits and contributed to strategy development meetings by developing measurable and attainable communications tactics through stakeholder engagement analysis.
pr collaborative
aug - dec 2017
as a policy and communications intern, I analyzed social media accounts and created media lists for policy-driven and entertainment sector clients. I also created social media graphics, weekly newsletters, blog posts, managed media clips & aided with client events such as film screenings.
nextgenvest
apr - july 2017
As an outreach leader intern, I managed and hosted 'takeovers' on social media platforms and empowered and educated over 500+ high school students by offering presentations about higher education resources.
Volunteer experience
Color of music Collective
June 2020 - July 2021
In June 2020, I took on the role of the social media manager for the Color of Music Collective - a non-profit organization committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the entertainment sector. In this volunteer role, I've been fortunate to lead a team of 15+ individuals dedicated to expanding organic, earned, and paid digital efforts that transcend new boundaries and build a community like no other.
Every week, I coordinated newsletter writing and production efforts via Mailchimp, reaching over 1000+ recipients and updating our Squarespace website with relevant content and event information. I also conducted extensive research on growing social media trends and developed content for our Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.
I also coordinated with the organization's graphic design team to select images and develop graphics for blog posts, external outreach, and social media promotion. The collective has produced a growing following of 3000+ followers, 1M reach, and 3000+ event registrations since the organization's founding in June 2020. It inspires new followers and has grown through consistent data tracking, content delivery, and a holistic digital and PR/outreach approach. This role has taught me how to harness the power of community voices and has solidified my desire to drive social impact communications for changemakers.
my work
The work samples featured below have been developed over the course of my academic and early professional career. Ownership of these projects belongs solely to Emily yankana.
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