In this episode of the Smart and Public Podcast, the Katies welcome Abenaa Hayes, Founder and CEO of Elysee Consulting. It won't take long in the episode for you to agree with us when we say that Abenaa AND her career are not only impressive, but incredibly interesting. Her experience in communications and brand spans across a wide range of companies - from start-ups to growth to established US and global firms in healthcare, social impact, and more. Abenaa’s professional mission is to guide leaders and brands who want to meet 21st century societal mandates head on by driving engagement and transformation through inclusive communications.We also discuss the evolving landscape of public relations, the importance of inclusive communications, and how companies can navigate societal shifts. We're so grateful to have spent this hour with Abenaa and can't wait for you to listen.Show references:Annie Jean Baptiste: Building for Everyone https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227Alison Taylor Higher Ground https://www.alisontaylor.co/higher-groundForbes - Harvard Rebrands Their DEI Office “Community & Campus Life” In Latest Move To Evolve: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougmelville/2025/04/29/harvard-rebrands-their-dei-office-community--campus-life-in-latest-move-to-evolve/Chapters:03:19 - Abenaa's Career Journey and Transition to PR05:52 - The Importance of Inclusion in Corporate Culture07:45 - Navigating Corporate Reputation and Authenticity10:16 - Engagement Strategies for Brands11:16 - Crisis Management in Corporate Communications13:14 - Building Effective Messaging Frameworks14:26 - Adapting Communication Strategies Across Industries15:49 - Employee Enablement and Internal Communication16:55 - The Future of Diversity and Inclusion19:15 - The Interconnection of Business and Inclusion21:28 - Using Employees as a Sounding Board23:02 - Navigating DEI Pushback in the Current Climate27:41 - Acknowledgment of Country: A Cultural Conversation30:54 - The Importance of Representation in Communications34:46 - Diversity in the Communications Field39:16 - Local Talent vs. Expat Leadership40:26 - AI and Inclusion: The Dangers of Bias45:23 - The Importance of Diverse Voices in Brand Messaging48:25 - Resources for Best Practices in Inclusion and DEIConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at [email protected]

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