Amber Jaynes has been leading the charge as vice president of marketing and communications at the National Urban League for the past five years. In this role, she strategically manages the organization’s integrated communications and marketing initiatives such as media relations, branding, social media, digital content development, advertising and multi-city events designed to expand opportunities for public engagement and to empower people with quality resources.
Formerly the senior director of marketing and communications at the Urban League of Philadelphia, Jaynes oversaw marketing and public relations initiatives. Prior to Urban League, she held various positions at Universal Records, A&M Records and media relations firms in New York where she managed the public profiles of celebrities, corporate executives and brands.
Community engagement for Jaynes includes lending her professional marketing skills for pro-bono consulting with small businesses and art related organizations, as well as advocating for ex-offenders re-entering the workforce. A member of the American Marketing Association and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, she holds a bachelors in broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media from Temple University and currently resides in New York.
Here, she shares her inspiration and reveals her corporate role models.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
I’m inspired by the work of the 95 Urban League affiliates across the country that serve over 2 million people each year in over 300 communities by providing free services and programs in education, employment, housing, entrepreneurship, health and civic engagement. They empower communities and change lives every day.
How did you determine your career path?
I was 10 years old when I became fascinated with broadcasting and have been interested in how people communicate and perceive messages ever since so the field of Marketing and Communications was a natural fit for me.
What other industries connect to your career choice?
Communication and marketing skills can be utilized in every industry.
What role does technology play in your daily life?
Technology plays a significant role in both my professional and personal life. My favorite tech tools are Basecamp for project management, Dropbox for file sharing, and Hootsuite for social media management. My favorite apps are Pinterest, Houzz and Instagram. And, of course, my mobile phone, tablet and Nook are always within reach.
Describe goal setting methods you use and how you evaluate personal success.
Every January, I try to set three or four goals based on my overall long-term personal and professional goals. At the end of the year, I reflect on my experiences and evaluate what I need to do the next year to get me closer to achieving my long-term plan.
Name your favorite role models for success in two industries.
I admire Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO of Xerox, who is the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company and Paula Madison, chairman and CEO of the Los Angeles Sparks.
