Mission-driven marketing and communications executive with 15+ years of experience leading brand strategy, storytelling, and engagement for education, arts, and social impact organizations. Proven track record building regionally-rooted brands for national influence, centering student voices and lived experiences, translating data and outcomes into compelling narratives, and scaling systems during periods of rapid change. Collaborative senior leader with deep expertise in education ecosystems, executive positioning, crisis communications, and equity-driven marketing strategies that remove barriers and expand opportunity.

Areas of Expertise

Strategic Leadership + Vision

  • Multi-year marketing and communications strategies aligned to organizational growth and national influence

  • Executive communications, positioning, and thought leadership

  • Cross-functional leadership in education-centered organizations 

  • Inclusive team culture building, coaching, and staff development

Student + Member Engagement + Growth

  • Member journey mapping + audience segmentation

  • Multi-channel campaigns supporting recruitment, retention, and engagement

  • Community convenings and large-scale summits

Data, Evaluation, and Technology-Driven Marketing

  • Marketing automation + CRM integration (Salesforce, SFMC)

  • Translating data and outcomes into public-facing narratives

  • Analytics + performance dashboards (PowerBI, Meltwater, Cision)

Brand, Communications + External Affairs

  • Brand strategy, rebrands, and national/global positioning

  • Media relations, earned media, and crisis communications

  • Education and equity-focused storytelling

  • Content strategy and copywriting for diverse audiences

Systems, Operations, + Team Leadership

  • Certified Project Manager (Northwestern University)

  • Workflow + systems design (Asana, Airtable, Typeform, Monday)

  • Budget oversight + vendor partnerships

  • Large-scale event production (summits, fundraisers, panels)

Notable Projects

An Alumni Awards program to elevate visibility and storytelling opportunities.

An earned media strategy to land several high-impact stories that elevate key messages.

TFA’s first multi-day summit to strengthen its network, amplify advocacy, and catalyze innovation for the biggest issues facing public education today.

A yearlong messaging and media campaign to recognize TFA’s 25 Years of Collective Impact.

A crisis communications plan for TFA.

A brand, thought leadership, and executive positioning strategy for TFA.

A digital marketing plan for a globally-recognized floral installation artist.

A brand strategy for United States Artists.

A rebrand for the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at MSU.

A digital marketing strategy for the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at MSU.

Recent Press

AI moves into Chicago-area classrooms to help teachers and students: Teach For America Chicago Executive Director Anajah Philogene joined FOX 32 Chicago to discuss how AI can help teachers reclaim time for meaningful connection, creativity, and impact—showcasing TFA’s leadership in using innovation to better serve students and support educators.

Solving a teacher shortage in Illinois: When nearly 3 out of 5 Illinois teachers are considering leaving the profession, TFA is working to fill critical gaps in schools across Illinois. 100% of TFA  teachers are placed in schools where at least 80% of the student body receives free and reduced lunch. TFA’s Executive Director, Anajah Philogene, and two inspiring incoming teachers, Haniyyah Thomas and Nigel Hooper, shared how TFA is igniting their passion for teaching in Illinois classrooms.


Welcoming students back to the classroom: This summer, more than 100 new TFA teachers trained to step into classrooms, bringing passion, commitment, and the belief that every child deserves access to an excellent education. Executive Director, Anajah Philogene, and ‘03 alumna, Fareeda Shabazz Anderson, Ed.D, , Principal of Walter Payton College Prep, shared valuable back-to-school tips for students, families, and educators.

How I Work

I believe in building strong strategic plans as roadmaps that take the guesswork out of decision-making to make space for creative thought. In a room full of different opinions and experiences, I can motivate a team to move forward with optimism. Defining success, dreaming up interesting approaches, and achieving results are at the core of the way I work.

  • “Working with Whitney is a disarming experience that allows me to be vulnerable and truly be my authentic self. Whitney is always willing to listen, reflect back, give ideas, and help brainstorm.”

    — A Director of Development

  • “In the 10 years that I have been a part of this network, I have never seen our channels communicate like they have under Whitney's leadership.”

    — An Executive Director

  • “Whitney is able to be an expert, while inviting others in.”

    — A Managing Director of Alumni Engagement

  • "Whitney is someone who takes the work seriously without taking herself too seriously"

    — A Managing Director of Equity and Belonging

  • “Whitney is a problem solver and always takes initiative. She gives great pushes to the team and to me that have made us all better.”

    — A VP of External Affairs

  • "Whitney has a a lot of strengths but she's also just a joy to work with and makes people laugh."

    — A Director of Programming