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I am a strategic communications expert with over 20 years of international experience advising global organizations across Russia, the GCC, and Cyprus, including Nestlé and GlaxoSmithKline. I specialize in corporate reputation management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, CSR/Sustainability, and executive coaching, and I am known for building trusted C-suite relationships, leading high-impact initiatives, and delivering measurable results. I combine strong academic credentials from Moscow State University and London Business School with hands-on leadership of external and internal communications programs, personal branding for senior leaders, and a track record of high-profile sponsorships and partnerships.…I am a strategic communications expert with over 20 years of international experience advising global organizations across Russia, the GCC, and Cyprus, including Nestlé and GlaxoSmithKline. I specialize in corporate reputation management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, CSR/Sustainability, and executive coaching, and I am known for building trusted C-suite relationships, leading high-impact initiatives, and delivering measurable results. I combine strong academic credentials from Moscow State University and London Business School with hands-on leadership of external and internal communications programs, personal branding for senior leaders, and a track record of high-profile sponsorships and partnerships.

Elena Yakunina

Content Creator, Brand Strategist, Copywriter, +7

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I am a strategic communications expert with over 20 years of international experience advising global organizations across Russia, the GCC, and Cyprus, including Nestlé and GlaxoSmithKline. I specialize in corporate reputation management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, CSR/Sustainability, and executive coaching, and I am known for building trusted C-suite relationships, leading high-impact initiatives, and delivering measurable results. I combine strong academic credentials from Moscow State University and London Business School with hands-on leadership of external and internal communications programs, personal branding for senior leaders, and a track record of high-profile sponsorships and partnerships.…I am a strategic communications expert with over 20 years of international experience advising global organizations across Russia, the GCC, and Cyprus, including Nestlé and GlaxoSmithKline. I specialize in corporate reputation management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, CSR/Sustainability, and executive coaching, and I am known for building trusted C-suite relationships, leading high-impact initiatives, and delivering measurable results. I combine strong academic credentials from Moscow State University and London Business School with hands-on leadership of external and internal communications programs, personal branding for senior leaders, and a track record of high-profile sponsorships and partnerships.

Available to hire

I am a strategic communications expert with over 20 years of international experience advising global organizations across Russia, the GCC, and Cyprus, including Nestlé and GlaxoSmithKline. I specialize in corporate reputation management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, CSR/Sustainability, and executive coaching, and I am known for building trusted C-suite relationships, leading high-impact initiatives, and delivering measurable results.

I combine strong academic credentials from Moscow State University and London Business School with hands-on leadership of external and internal communications programs, personal branding for senior leaders, and a track record of high-profile sponsorships and partnerships.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

French

Intermediate

Russian

Fluent

Work Experience

Strategic Communications Consultant and Trainer at International School of Communication

April 1, 2018 - Present

Design, deliver, and continuously enhance the strategic communications and PR training program, covering advanced communications strategy, media relations, crisis handling, CSR/Sustainability, internal communications, and digital communications. Train executives and teams in media engagement, press event management, social media writing, and public speaking.

Brand Communications Consultant at Very Shellfish

January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024

Advised a Cyprus-based restaurant wholesaler on brand communications strategy, supporting market positioning, brand identity development, and stakeholder engagement within the Cyprus market.

Senior Consultant at The Tantalus Group

April 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Advised clients across sectors on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, media relations, CSR programs, and executive positioning. Supported clients with public speaking and social media reputation management initiatives.

Operations Director (Project) at Finsbury (now FGS Global)

September 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019

Developed communication strategies for two high-profile Saudi Arabian government initiatives in the cultural and cybersecurity sectors.

Strategic Communications Consultant at Ehrmann AG

April 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018

Led corporate and brand communication strategies, achieving significant media visibility for key brands across Russia and CIS. Built and enhanced executive visibility through personal branding, speechwriting, and media training.

Head of Public Relations / Corporate External Communications Manager at Nestlé Russia & Eurasia

April 1, 2013 - October 31, 2017

Led external communications across 11 countries, managing PR for 12 factories and 11 business units. Developed and executed corporate and brand communications strategies, stakeholder engagement plans, and crisis management frameworks. Spearheaded the CEO’s personal brand development, securing regular publications and interviews in leading media. Managed strategic PR for key events and partnerships, including Bolshoi Theatre and Valery Gergiev Foundation. Key achievements included elevating Nestlé’s media presence and supporting the CEO in national recognition and large-scale events.

Communications Manager at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals

September 1, 2005 - April 30, 2013

Built GSK’s communications function in Russia, leading internal/external communications, employee engagement, CSR initiatives, and media relations. Achievements included GSK being ranked among the Best Employers and national employee volunteering recognition.

Office Manager at The Gillette Group LLC

December 1, 2003 - September 30, 2005

Supported executive operations and coordinated communications-related projects.

Operations Director at FINSBURY

September 1, 2019 - October 1, 2019

Developed communication strategy for two projects of the government of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in cultural and cybersecurity sectors.

Head of Public Relations at NESTLÉ RUSSIA & EURASIA

September 1, 2014 - October 1, 2017

Responsibility for Russia and Eurasia region (12 factories across 11 countries). Develop and execute communication strategy, supervise press office, manage media relations, conduct media training, crisis management, CSR initiatives, sponsorships, and industry/government relations; lead PR team of 8.

Corporate External Communications Manager at NESTLÉ RUSSIA & EURASIA

April 1, 2013 - September 1, 2014

Develop and execute external communications strategy; oversee media relations; crisis and reputation management; content creation for press releases, byline articles, and keynote speeches; media monitoring; CSR projects; sponsorships; government relations; led CEO visit branding.