Tag: Member Stories

WWPR Content Committee co-chair Melinda Tolliver connected with Laila Mokhiber, director of communications for UNRWA USA, to talk about her international nonprofit work and how she got involved in communications.

Tell me a little bit about what you do and why.

I work for UNRWA USA, an independent American nonprofit that supports the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. I joined the organization about eight years ago and our work is focused on advocating for the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees who lost their livelihoods and homes as a result of the Nakba in 1948. For seven decades, these refugees have needed assistance from the UN to access education, health care, and social services. 

My work is really focused on building the brand of the nonprofit, communicating the plight of this refugee population in plain language, and using storytelling to win hearts and minds for the cause. We are focused on telling the stories of refugees and changing the narrative around what it is to be a refugee and the context that created their situation, with the ultimate goal of fundraising for the work we do. 

As a fourth-generation American of Arab descent, I find it’s my responsibility as someone who has immense privilege and hails from that region to amplify the voices of the people outside the United States who don’t have the same access or ability to advocate for themselves. 

How do you share the powerful stories of the refugees helped by your organization?

Pre-COVID, I would travel to the Middle East every year—a great privilege to see the programs in action and meet the people benefiting. While there, I interview refugees in shelters where they live or where they are receiving services, such as the UNRWA schools all over the region. It’s been really important for us to center these voices and make sure we’re always lifting them up in a dignified way.

When I can’t gain these stories in-person, I turn to an alumni group we created of people who graduated from the UNRWA schools, benefited from services or worked for the agency, since 90% of the staff on the ground are refugees themselves. Many of the Palestine refugees have found their way to North America because their education allowed them even greater opportunities. I find these people to be our best advocates, storytellers and validators because this was their lived experience and now they are your neighbors, doctors, and teachers. My team uses our blog, Voices of UNRWA, and a monthly live speaker series on Facebook, Let’s Talk UNRWA, to share their stories. 

What’s one campaign you’re most proud of?

In 2018, the Trump administration had defunded UNRWA, which cut about $360M in annual funding. To bring attention to the issue and the plight of the Palestine refugees, I organized the Relay Run for Refugees, a 250-mile run from New York City to Washington, D.C. People came from Palestine and other parts of the world to run down the I-95 corridor and stop in neighborhoods along the route to create a buzz around the agency. In each community we stopped in, we held an evening event called Refugees Reimagined where we had Palestine refugees tell their stories to humanize their experiences. 

The experience culminated on Capitol Hill for our first-ever advocacy day. The representatives we met with, including Rep. Betty McCollum, were so floored by these stories they decided to take up our cause and advocate to reinstate funding for UNRWA. And, although we can’t claim direct responsibility, earlier this year the Biden administration decided to re-engage the agency after a three-year hiatus. That’s a promising first step in addressing these humanitarian needs.

How do you keep your mental health uplifted and positive working on such a serious issue?

Part of this work for me is mental health advocacy. The largest event we host every year is the Gaza 5K, a charitable walk-run to raise awareness and funds for UNRWA’s mental health programming in the Gaza Strip. Children in the Gaza Strip are suffering from psychological trauma, including PTSD, because of recurrent military bombardment and life under a blockade and our funding ensures they have access to counselors to help them cope.

The experiences and the resilience that I’ve seen from these students is what gives me the boost I need to do this work without letting it bring me down. If you are to read any of these stories we put out or meet any of the refugees who are served, you would find the same sort of the same sort of inspiration.

On a personal level, I do a lot of practical things as well, including seeking out my own therapy, spending time in nature, and taking time for creative outlets like music to help me feel rejuvenated.

What piece of advice do you have for someone wanting to break into communications at an international nonprofit?

I always remind people it’s a fierce competition. I’ve hired a lot of people over the years and you have to make sure everything you’re putting out there can shine above the others. In a communications role for a nonprofit, you really need that secret sauce. Even if you’re not working in the field, if you have the skills then you can create your own project. It shows that your skills and passions are an extension of who you are and what you could lend to an organization.

Introduce yourself
I’m Liselle Yorke, senior PR manager at Population Research Bureau (PRB). I spend my days helping demographers, global health specialists and researchers explain why and how data and research findings can change people’s everyday lives.

Tell us about why you joined WWPR
I’m surrounded by academics so rejoining WWPR was a way to keep my creative juices flowing and learn from others trying to navigate our “new normal”. I really enjoyed our March 10 professional development book talk. Hearing what others were reading and getting different perspectives on our main themes of vulnerability, making space for others, and building relationships was really insightful for me.

What do you love about PR and your specific role?
I view myself as a storyteller. In my current role that means explaining the impact of population trends to different audiences and working with researchers to package and share their findings in formats that can be understood and acted on by policymakers, advocates and communities.

One memorable campaign is the launch of a February 2020 report on the risk of undercounting young children (under the age of 5) in the 2020 Census and the potential impact of underfunding of communities, especially areas that need these resources. We faced a huge challenge because we had to launch it during the same week as the U.S. Senate’s vote on impeaching then President Trump and the National Prayer Breakfast. Our advantage was that the issue had staying power beyond those events and we were able to garner coverage in the ensuing weeks, including interviews on WABE (NPR Atlanta affiliate) and an expansive piece in NJ.com.

During the pandemic, journalists have been citing our data on aging and global population trends in pieces looking at the impact of the virus on different populations. Many have either tapped into articles and data we’ve already published, or they’ve asked us to provide specific data for their stories. There has been less interest in the areas that don’t directly relate to the pandemic so we’re experimenting with different ways to tell those stories.

How has the PR industry changed in the last five years and what are you doing differently that seems to work in your industry?

The changes over the last five years are in many ways an acceleration of trends we’ve seen coming for some time, notably more strategic use of digital and social media as newsrooms shrink and our “audiences” become more active information consumers. I moved from international development to research/academia in 2019 and in this space, data journalism is key. In our work at PRB, we’re trying to present data and research findings differently (visualizations, newsier articles, blogs, social media graphics) to help readers connect the dots to everyday life.

During this time, was there any hobby you picked up or spent more time doing that you have enjoyed?
Overdrive and my local public libraries have become my best friends! I now listen to at least two audiobooks each week, usually mysteries (I highly recommend Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, and Ngaio Marsh). I’ve also started listening to a lot more podcasts that cover pop culture, news, and personal development. 

What are some of your favorite things to do in the DMV area and how have you adjusted since Covid-19?
My teen daughter and I like taking road trips. With both of us working/learning from home, mini trips have become our way to get out while staying safe. We simply pick a street and then go wherever it takes us. Just last week we discovered that Georgia Ave (Rte 97) takes you from Washington, D.C. through Montgomery, Howard and Carroll counties in Maryland.

Why did you join WWPR, how has the experience been and what advice would you give to someone wanting to join WWPR?

If you want to be in a place where you can learn, grow and thrive with like-minded PR professionals, WWPR is the place for you.

WWPR Content Committee Co-chair Melinda Tolliver connected with WWPR President Christina Francisco, director of digital marketing and strategy at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Learn more about her role and how she got involved with WWPR.

Tell me a little about your background and current day job.

I serve as the Director of Digital Marketing and Strategy at ASHP located in Bethesda, MD. Prior to ASHP, I led the digital marketing team at the American Diabetes Association in Arlington, VA as their Director of Digital Marketing. I’ve always loved working on internal teams and helping an organization grow. Digital marketing is always evolving and it is really up to you to keep yourself current on the trends, as well as what will work for your company and what is the best mix of channels to achieve a goal.

In addition to my day job, I also serve as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown School of Continuing Studies (SCS) as a capstone advisor for the Integrated Marketing Communications Program and as an adjunct lecturer in the social media management certificate program. 

As WWPR President, can you share your experience with WWPR?

As I mentioned in my annual luncheon speech, I really credit finding WWPR to my colleague and good friend, Danielle Veira. Dani served as the 2018 WWPR President and basically brought me along for the ride. She introduced me to this world and all it had to offer. I really can’t thank her enough for showing me this community. Prior to 2020, I loved going to in-person events and seeing different venues, as well as meeting new people around the city. It was a great way to expand my network and tour all DC has to offer.

Becoming president this year is very exciting. We are coming off a tremendous year where we were able to pivot and move programming to a virtual environment without skipping a beat. I am proud of what we accomplished and look forward to what 2021 has in store for us. 

Right now, I’ve been really into yoga. I finally convinced my husband to try it with me and we’ve been going fairly regularly. It is pretty great when you find something that can challenge and relax you at the same time. It is also a goal of ours to stay active during the pandemic and keep ourselves busy with safely socially distanced activities. 

How has the pandemic affected the way you approach your personal and professional life? 

In a way the pandemic hasn’t really changed how I approach my life, but it has given me a better sense of what I can overcome and reminds me to be grateful for what I have in my life.

Though at first, it disrupted my routine and I felt a lot of anxiety, the pandemic has helped me slow down and be more thoughtful with my time. I am also thankful that I have been able to work this whole time as I know that hasn’t been the case for everyone. 

In fact, I started teaching at Georgetown SCS at the onset of the pandemic and my first class was a virtual one on March 19. It was intended to be an in-person class, but Georgetown quickly pivoted when it became apparent we needed to adjust. Teaching — virtually no less — in a pandemic definitely taught me to be flexible and give myself grace. 

See more Member Spotlights featuring the amazing and driven women of WWPR!

WWPR Content Committee member, Florence Sumaray had an opportunity to connect with WWPR member, Emma Gresser to learn more about her role as an External Communications Associate at Fannie Mae and how she got involved with WWPR.

Tell me a little bit about your background and your current position at Fannie Mae.  

After graduating from DePaul University with a Master of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising, I moved to Washington, D.C. to continue building my career in public relations and communications. I joined Fannie Mae’s Marketing & Communications team in July 2019 as an Internal Communications Specialist, and as of this week, I will be switching gears with my new role as External Communications Associate. As Internal Communications Specialist, my work was driven toward developing and executing internal communications strategies to ensure employees understand how their work connects with the company’s mission and corporate priorities, feel engaged and informed by company leadership, and are recognized for their efforts. In my new role, I will be working with Fannie Mae’s Corporate Initiatives team to promote the incredible work of our company and communicate industry insights from our brilliant leaders. 

How has COVID-19 affected the way your organization functions and your interaction with your clients?

Very early in the pandemic, Fannie Mae transitioned seamlessly from working in the office to working remotely. Our business is complex and has many moving parts, which made the transition that much more impressive. The leaders on our Management Committee have always put our employees first and continue to support them every day in our new virtual environment.

The Internal Communications team played a major role in making the remote work switch happen. Particularly with my client, we were responsible for making sure our business was engaged and our business leaders had the tools they needed to communicate with their employees. It was a challenge to move all in-person events, such as our Single-Family Town Hall, to a virtual setting but with the help from the entire Marketing & Communications organization, our employees were equipped with virtual platforms that made communications effective, straightforward, and engaging. 

How has the PR industry changed in the last five years and what are you doing differently that seems to work in your industry?

This is one of the most important times in history to be a communicator. Organizations are expected to make a commitment to the communities they serve, and this has become a very important lens through which PR efforts happen today. Consumers want to hold organizations accountable for their actions. This is where PR practitioners come into play. Top-level executives are looking to their PR teams as trusted advisors. We are smart, know the business, and think about what the next move will be before it happens. We are also considering the role of activism in our work. The USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations did a fantastic study on this in their “Trends and Best Practices in Brand Purpose Communication” report and program director Fred Cook hosts the #PRFuture podcast. I think this is an important trend to study and act on as it will make your work stand out in your industry.

Why did you join WWPR, how has the experience been and what advice would you give to someone wanting to join the organization?

I believe communicators have a responsibility to be involved in their community. Our interest can gauge the pulse of a community and use those insights to greatly improve an organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. Throughout my time as a student and now as a professional, I have always been engaged with organizations focused on empowering students, women, the LGBTQ community, and advocates of the arts. Stepping out of your comfort zone is more attainable with others supporting you.

As a woman in Washington’s public relations community, WWPR seemed like a natural fit. But what drove me to the organization was their commitment to “provide leadership opportunities, professional development, mentorship, and industry networking.” WWPR brings together a unique group of public relations practitioners and encourages us to learn from each other. We have such an impressive group of smart and successful women who want to inspire each other and equip the next generation of PR leaders. If you have any questions about WWPR or would like to reach out to me to learn more, I am always happy to chat.

During this time, was there any hobby you picked up or spent more time doing that you have enjoyed?  

I’ve enjoyed finding time to connect with former colleagues and friends. Between snail mail and FaceTime, I always prioritize staying in touch with my personal “board of directors.” One of my good friends from my PR community in Chicago told me about this idea. What is a personal board of directors? It’s anyone that you consider to be a close friend, former colleague, or trusted mentor that could weigh in on career decisions, professional development, or life advice. I’ve built my board of directors over time, and I hope it will continue to grow. 

What are some of your favorite things to do in the DMV area and how have you adjusted since COVID-19?

Since I don’t have a car, I walk just about everywhere! Washington, D.C. is one of the most walkable cities I’ve lived in. I love visiting the different neighborhoods the DMV area has to offer. Each spot has its own charm and history. My go-to for ideas is always the Washingtonian Magazine’s “Things To Do” and “Neighborhoods” sections. Sometimes I wander without a plan and find the coolest coffee shops and boutiques; and add them to my D.C. bucket list! If it’s a busy day, I can usually clock in over a half marathon in miles. So much to do, so much to see! (All with a mask on, of course).