Board Member Spotlight: Jordun Lawrence, Manager, Social Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships
Jordun Lawrence, Manager of Social Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships at PayPal, is not only one of WWPR’s newest board members but also the 2023 WWPR Emerging Leader Award winner in the corporate category. At Paypal, Jordun spearheads communications efforts that humanize the PayPal brand and highlight PayPal’s mission to improve financial health and expand economic opportunity. She previously served as Communications and Strategic Engagement Director for the Public Religion Research Institute. She has also served as Deputy Press Secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senior Manager of Communications for the National Urban League Washington Bureau, Deputy Press Secretary for Hillary for America, and on Capitol Hill.
Tell me about your background and what drew you to your current position.
I’ve spent over a decade working across government, political campaigns, non-profit organizations, and now, in the corporate world. I serve as Impact Communications and Strategic Partnerships Manager at PayPal. I was drawn to the role because of the opportunity to expand my skill set and serve as a strategic collaborator across teams. I chose to work at PayPal because I wanted to work in a place that has a strong mission and is values-driven. Throughout my career, I’ve chosen opportunities that allowed me to give back and serve marginalized communities, and working at PayPal has allowed me to do that on a global scale.
What is the most exciting or rewarding project you’ve done recently or in your overall career?
The most exciting project of my career was spearheading the MADE x PayPal fashion event in the summer of 2022. MADE x PayPal was a 2-day fashion festival in New York City with runway shows, musical performances, a marketplace of diverse small businesses, and more. The event was focused on promoting the talents of designers and businesses from underrepresented communities. PayPal had never done an event like this before. We partnered with IMG Fashion, a monumental collaborator in the fashion industry, to bring together the worlds of fashion, fintech, and small business empowerment. It was an incredibly rewarding event and a career-defining moment for me.
As an Emerging Leader Award Winner and member of WWPR, what have you gained from your experience?
I have gained an incredible network of dynamic and incredibly entrepreneurial women. I’m thrilled and honored to be a member of this community and to now get to contribute as a member of the board.
What PR trends have you seen happening in 2023 and what kind of influence has it had on professionals in the industry?
The biggest trend I’ve seen is leaning more into AI as a tool to help PR professionals do their jobs more efficiently. I think this trend is going to continue to deepen in our profession, and there will be a ton of opportunities to lean in, become better communicators, and reach even more audiences because of it.
Is there any particular book, podcast, or influencer you would recommend? How has it impacted your life?
NPR’s Hidden Brain has been an invaluable resource for me. The podcast uses science and brilliant storytelling to explain human behavior. Hidden Brain has had such a major impact on me, my understanding of myself and others, and how I relate to the world around me.