I'm a strategic communications expert with 20+ years of experience in a multinational environment. I offer a wide range of consultancy services with the main focus on strategic communications, reputation and crisis management, media relations, social media engagement, corporate social responsibility and sustainability and many others. I work with individuals and provide coaching for CEOs helping them to build personal brand and reputation, maintain effective relations with stakeholders and media etc. I offer a variety of bespoke strategic communications and PR training programs (offline and online), simulations and workshops for the teams. All above-mentioned is always based on the particular needs of a client. I develop my own materials using this individual approach.

Elena Yakunina

I'm a strategic communications expert with 20+ years of experience in a multinational environment. I offer a wide range of consultancy services with the main focus on strategic communications, reputation and crisis management, media relations, social media engagement, corporate social responsibility and sustainability and many others. I work with individuals and provide coaching for CEOs helping them to build personal brand and reputation, maintain effective relations with stakeholders and media etc. I offer a variety of bespoke strategic communications and PR training programs (offline and online), simulations and workshops for the teams. All above-mentioned is always based on the particular needs of a client. I develop my own materials using this individual approach.

Available to hire

I’m a strategic communications expert with 20+ years of experience in a multinational environment.
I offer a wide range of consultancy services with the main focus on strategic communications, reputation and crisis management, media relations, social media engagement, corporate social responsibility and sustainability and many others. I work with individuals and provide coaching for CEOs helping them to build personal brand and reputation, maintain effective relations with stakeholders and media etc. I offer a variety of bespoke strategic communications and PR training programs (offline and online), simulations and workshops for the teams. All above-mentioned is always based on the particular needs of a client. I develop my own materials using this individual approach.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Beginner
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.

Education

Economics and Management, Foreign Affairs at Moscow Academy for Finance and Law
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2003
Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Journalism Department
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
Nestlé Leadership Programme at London Business School
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Guiding the development of others at The Gillette Group
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2005

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Government, Manufacturing, Education, Other