Sandra Leigh Yacura

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Communications and strategy executive with 15+ years partnering closely with CEOs to shape organizational voice, drive high-stakes initiatives, and move complex cross-functional work from concept to execution. Chief of Staff-style operating approach grounded in executive communications, internal and external stakeholder management, nonprofit leadership, and practical AI fluency. Known for judgment, discretion, and the ability to translate leadership priorities into aligned action across teams, while representing senior leaders credibly with investors, partners, and other key stakeholders. Deeply committed to AI equity and expanding AI opportunities for students and communities historically excluded from tech progress.

Core Strengths

  • Chief of Staff-style executive support and CEO office partnership
  • Executive communications, thought leadership, and voice stewardship
  • Internal and external communications leadership
  • Special projects, cross-functional execution, and rapid problem solving
  • CEO priority management across communications and major initiatives
  • Investor, partner, and stakeholder relationship management
  • Brand strategy, rebrands, and enterprise website launches
  • Media relations, reputation management, and crisis communications
  • Presentation development, briefing materials, and workshop messaging
  • AI-enabled workflow design and communications operations
  • Analytics-minded communications tracking and performance reporting 
  • Policy, public-interest, and cross-sector communications

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chief Communications Officer | IRGC, Medical SaaS Nonprofit | 2019–2025

  • Served as the senior communications leader for a mission-driven nonprofit.
  • Worked in close partnership with the CEO to shape organizational messaging, visibility, reputation, and strategic priorities.
  • Managed the CEO’s communications priorities, ensuring alignment among executive messaging, stakeholder engagement, media strategy, and organization-wide initiatives.
  • Acted as a trusted proxy for the CEO with investors and external stakeholders, representing leadership priorities and maintaining continuity in high-trust relationships.
  • Led a complete organizational rebrand, including a name change and new website, coordinating a complex cross-functional effort that reframed the mission and strengthened credibility with healthcare systems, donors, and public audiences.
  • Designed and led an award-winning national awareness campaign that generated 10 million media impressions and earned PR Daily’sNonprofit Communications Campaign of the Year.
  • Secured high-value executive visibility, including recognition for the CEO as “Nonprofit Pioneer of the Year.”
  • Managed sensitive, high-stakes issues and crisis communications involving national media and politically charged public narratives, including The Washington Post and other top-tier outlets.
  • Built integrated comms systems spanning executive messaging, media relations, stakeholder engagement, performance tracking, and brand stewardship in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.

Vice President, Communications | CRTV/PokerGo (TV Network) | 2015 – 2017

  • Partnered directly with the CEO and CMO to launch and grow a new digital media network, shaping brand positioning, executive messaging, and audience growth strategy.
  • Developed narrative frameworks that expanded the brand beyond its niche base and helped increase reach, viewership, and revenue.
  • Led media strategy and relationship-building that secured coverage in major outlets including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, ESPN, and other national platforms.
  • Directed high-performing social media and publicity generating 25 million impressions.
  • Operated effectively in a fast-paced build environment requiring cross-functional coordination, rapid judgment, and comfort with shifting priorities.

Head of U.S. Communications | APP (Global Manufacturer) | 2011 – 2015

  • Led U.S. communications for a highly matrixed global enterprise with 230,000 employees, covering reputation, policy, sustainability-related communications, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Worked at the intersection of business, public policy, sustainability, and geopolitics, building coalitions with NGOs, multilateral initiatives, and public-sector stakeholders.
  • Supported senior leaders with high-stakes messaging, delegation planning, and external engagements, including Congressional and Ambassadorial visits.
  • Helped communicate company ESG commitments in Washington and at the United Nations, contributing to stronger public trust and restored stakeholder relationships.
  • Drove reputation recovery work in a complex environment requiring diplomacy, discretion, and disciplined follow-through.

Vice President, Communications & Public Relations | CLC | Education Finance | 2005–2010

  • Led communications through a period of rapid growth as the company scaled from startup to a Top 10 industry lender with a $14 billion portfolio.
  • At the direct request of the CEO, expanded the role beyond external communications to lead internal communications priorities and support organization-wide executive messaging initiatives.
  • Acted on the CEO’s behalf with investors and other key stakeholders, helping maintain alignment and trust during periods of growth, market disruption, and regulatory change.
  • Led a year-long, company-wide project of a new rebrand and new website involving nearly every team in the organization, coordinating cross-functional input, while keeping project decisions aligned with executive priorities.
  • Created and promoted the company’s unique selling point where all lending product specs were equal.
  • Helped families understand how to pay for college, with a passion for helping first-time college families.
  • Aligned employees, leadership, investors, and external stakeholders through uncertainty and change.

Early Career

Additional experience in government affairs, international trade policy, public relations, and Capitol Hill, including roles with the U.S. Senate, the International Trade Administration, trade associations, and agency environments. This foundation strengthened briefing, policy translation, stakeholder navigation, and cross-functional coordination in high-judgment settings.

AI Certifications

  • AI Strategies for Business Transformation, Northwestern University, Kellogg Executive Education
  • Certified AI Consultant, U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights
  • The Future of AI, BlueDot Impact
  • Introduction to AI Fluency, Anthropic
  • Fundamentals of Machine Learning, Microsoft
  • AI-Assisted Entrepreneur, Industry Rockstar

Practical user of generative AI tools to organize email and scheduling workflows, build websites, support social media execution, create presentations, and track team and communications successes. Experienced in designing AI-assisted workflows that accelerate research and reporting for communications and executive-support work.

EDUCATION

  • M.A. International Transactions – George Mason University
  • B.S. Political Science / Communications – Arizona State University