Jenna Boyer Named One of the Top 25 African American PR Millennials to Watch

“Did you come to work or win?” Jenna Boyer

Jenna Boyer is the Senior Manager of Employer Brand and Communications at Marriott International in Bethesda, Maryland. A graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Boyer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies with a minor in Spanish.

Boyer hails from the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection; the West Philadelphia native is the content creator of J. Danielle Design, a décor, entertaining, style, and travel blog.

With a bright future ahead, Boyer says, “I’m excited to continue evolving as a communications professional. I intend to be in a leadership positon, managing a team of dynamic individuals who are passionate about marketing and communication, as well as mentoring individuals who are pursuing careers in the industry.”

Gwendolyn Quinn: How was it growing up in West Philadelphia? Tell us about that experience?

Jenna Boyer: Growing up in West Philly was fun, challenging and insightful all at the same time. My parents, three siblings and I lived in a small townhouse surrounded by friends. During the summer, we played all day, rode bikes, played video games and basketball. Though I lived in the inner city, I went to school in the suburbs, which gave me an appreciation for diversity but also showed me the importance of representation.

GQ: When did you become interested in publicity/public relations?

JB: Writing has always been my strength, so I knew I wanted a job that involved utilizing my talent in that area. But during my junior year of college, social media was becoming a big deal to brands (and to me). So I looked for an industry that allowed me to write and create social media strategies and public relations was it.

GQ: What do you love about publicity/public relations?

JB: Honing my skills as a communicator and writer is what I love most about public relations. When I’m doing this, I’m in my element, and it doesn’t feel like work. I also appreciate the evolution of communications. Every day there’s something new to learn, a new technology and new ways of reaching various audiences.

GQ: In your opinion, tell us the difference between publicity/public relations and social media marketing?

JB: Public relations is synonymous with reputation management, and it’s all about getting your audience to view your client in a particular way. Social media marketing focuses on awareness and reaching your audience through engaging and creative content.

GQ: Tell us about your position as a Senior Manager of Employer Brand and Communications at Marriott International? Where is the company based? What year did you start with the company?

JB: I’ve been working at Marriott International at their Corporate Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland since 2015. I was recently promoted to Senior Manager of Employer Brand and Communications. In this role, I support the communications needs of Marriott’s Learning and Development organization, which creates the personalized learning experiences for Marriott associates all over the world that enable them to succeed. Before assuming this position, I was a Manager on the Employer Brand and Communications team, co-managing the Marriott Careers social media channels and developing marketing strategies to position Marriott as a preferred employer.

GQ: Please describe your day-to-day duties as Senior Manager of Employer Brand and Communications for Marriott International.

JB: As a Senior Manager, my day-to-day duties consist of creating communications plans to support Learning and Development, attending cross-discipline brainstorming sessions and meeting with colleagues to discuss upcoming launches that require my support.

GQ: As the Senior Manager of Employer Brand and Communications of Marriott International, what has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

JB: One of the things I’m most proud of accomplishing at Marriott is leading the launch of the company’s Snapchat account. When I joined, I saw an opportunity for Marriott to engage younger job seekers via the popular platform and was charged with developing a strategy and execution plan for the account’s inception. I presented my plan to senior leaders who supported the idea, and the account was launched in August 2016.

GQ: Before joining, Marriott International, tell us about your previous positions in PR, communications, and marketing.

JB: Before joining Marriott, I worked at Hager Sharp, Inc., an integrated PR agency in Washington, D.C. that supported government agencies, non-profits, and associations. I joined Hager Sharp as a Fellow my senior year of college and was hired full-time upon graduation. During my time there, I worked on multiple client accounts creating communications plans, social media strategies, and partnership development plans.

I’ll never forget the project that made me realize communications was the industry for me. I supported the ALS Association [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis] at their annual conference in Washington, D.C. and I live-tweeted it over the course of three days. Part of my job included capturing images and quotes on Capitol Hill of ALS patients and their advocates lobbying for funding to find a cure for the debilitating disease. Being there to support these patients by bringing awareness to the disease that impacts their lives daily was an empowering project I’ll never forget.

GQ: What are some of the most challenging aspects of your position?

JB: Juggling multiple projects at once can be challenging, especially when working with global colleagues. Every request requires a different approach and solution but being organized keeps me sane. I don’t know what I would do without my to-do list.

GQ: What advice do you have for young people who would like to pursue a career in publicity and public relations?

JB: Three things: number one, network with professionals in and outside of the industry because you never know when they’ll need your expertise; number two, produce excellent work to generate impactful results, consistently; and three, celebrate your wins, no matter how small and they’ll keep you motivated.

GQ: Which public relations, media, and communications organizations are you affiliated with and which organizations do you recommend for young PR professionals?

JB: In the past, I’ve worked with Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). For young PR professionals, I highly recommend the National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS), Toastmasters International, as well as Washington Women in Public Relations and the Public Relations Society of America.

GQ: Tell me about your volunteerism and community work?

JB: I’m currently a mentor through Generation Hope, a non-profit organization which provides tuition assistance, one-on-one mentoring, and crisis support to teen parents who are attending college in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. I mentor a resilient and sweet young lady who is a single mother working full-time and attending community college.

GQ: Where are some of the places you traveled to and what’s your favorite vacation destination?

JB: In the last two years, some of the cities I’ve visited are Cancun, Chicago, Dallas, Oxford, London, and Paris. It’s hard to pick a favorite because I love each place for different reasons—Mexico to relax, Chicago for the food and art—but my top three are Cancun, London, and Chicago.

GQ: What do you like to do in your spare time?

JB: My husband and I bought our first house about a year ago and furnishing it made me realize my love for interior decorating so I started a blog. In my spare time, I work on that and the never-ending list of projects I want to tackle at home, which means I’m usually covered in paint, behind my camera or writing content.

GQ: What was the most important and profound lessons you learned from your parents?

JB: Loyalty. My parents are the most selfless and supportive people I’ve ever known. Their unconditional love has molded me to be a fiercely loyal colleague and friend.

GQ: Who are your mentor(s) and what are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned from them?

JB: I have two mentors who have taught me to take risks, stay focused on growth and foster genuine relationships.

GQ: What is the best advice (professional or personal), you have received and from who?

JB: The best advice I’ve ever been given is, “Perception is the rule until it’s not.” That advice came from a fellow public relations colleague who has been extremely successful in the industry.

GQ: What keeps you spiritually centered and grounded?

JB: Prayer, my amazing husband, and meditation.

GQ: What inspires you?

JB: Peoples’ success inspired me. I love seeing my family and friends win because they deserve it and because it holds me accountable for my own goals.

GQ: What are some of your pop culture’s must haves (music, film, television)?

JB: I love “Game of Thrones” and all things Beyoncé and Sam Smith.

GQ: What is your dream project?

JB: My dream project infuses marketing, social media and partnering with a major influencer to reach global audiences.

GQ: What would you like people to know about you?

JB: I’m an adrenaline junkie who loves travel, photography, and cereal.

Gwendolyn Quinn is an award-winning media strategist and consultant with a career spanning more than 25 years. She is a contributor with NBCNews.com/NBCBLK.com, BlackEnterprise.com, HuffPost, and EURWEB.com, among others. Quinn is also a contributor to Souls Revealed and Handle Your Entertainment Business.

Antonice Jackson is the President of the National Black Public Relations Society’s Washington, D.C. Chapter. She partnered with Gwendolyn Quinn to produce “The Top African American PR Millennials for 2017” series. Jackson is also a contributor with AllHipHop.com.