Vanessa Wakeman

Vanessa Wakeman is the Founder and CEO of The Wakeman Agency, a leading strategic communications firm dedicated to advancing progress on the most urgent social issues of our time. An accomplished leader with deep knowledge about the politics of social change and mastery at advancing the efforts of mission-driven causes, Vanessa Wakeman is a trusted advisor to organizations around the globe. 

With more than two decades of experience in strategic communications and social change, Vanessa has worked at the intersection of media, meaning-making and systems change to help organizations shape powerful narratives that influence public opinion and inspire action. 

Vanessa has masterminded engagements for organizations including ClimateWorks Foundation, Northwest Area Foundation, Echoing Green, U.C.L.A.’s Civil Rights Project, Choose Healthy Life, the END Fund, Hispanics in Philanthropy, United Way of New York City, The Hartford, New York Urban League and many more.

Vanessa’s insights on communications, narrative and the language of social change have been featured in numerous media outlets. As the Social Change Diaries podcast host, she explores how the social change sector uses communications as a force for justice, equity and systemic change. 

Vanessa was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Femme (Hall of Fame for women in public relations) and​ ​was selected as one of PRovoke Media’s Innovator 25, which recognizes global marketing and communications​ ​experts who are taking social innovation to new heights. She has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential ​Black Leaders in New York in City & State magazine’s Black Power List, has been celebrated as a Champion of PR by PRWeek and one of 50 Game Changers of PR by PR News. She was also profiled in Diverse Voices: Profiles​ ​in Leadership, a book showcasing 40 multicultural public relations leaders.