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Keeya-Lee Ayre

Strategic Comms Leader | PhD Student | 12+ Years of Global Comms Experience | Expertise in Humanitarian Affairs, Public Policy & Tech for Good

Keeya-Lee Ayre is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background in communications, marketing, and academia. She is currently a Graduate Research Assistant at Georgia State University College of Arts & Sciences.1 Her career has encompassed various roles and experiences:

Professional Experience

Keeya-Lee has held significant positions in the corporate world, including:

  • Head of Communications and Influence at BFA Global
  • Head of Marketing and Communications at Catalyst Fund2

Academic Pursuits

Her academic journey is marked by continuous growth and achievement:

  • PhD Student in Communication Studies4
  • Admitted to a top 6 MPH program at Boston University to pursue an MS in Translation and Implementation Science3

Areas of Expertise

Keeya-Lee's professional skills and interests include:

  • Running lean and interactive workshops on storytelling and its impact on neural connections1
  • Strategic communications consulting with over 12 years of global experience6
  • Passion for mental health advocacy
  • British Sign Language user and ally of the Deaf community5

Current Focus

As a Graduate Research Assistant, Keeya-Lee likely combines her extensive professional experience with academic research in the field of communication studies. Her work appears to bridge the gap between theory and practice, particularly in areas such as storytelling, innovation, and public health.

Keeya-Lee Ayre's LinkedIn profile reflects a professional who is continuously evolving, combining practical experience with academic pursuits to drive innovation in communication and public health sectors.

Highlights

Aug 15 · linkedin

Some folks asked me how I was going to spend my "time off" between full-time work/graduating with my second master's and starting my PhD journey... well, this past weekend my husband Bryan Henderson and I, being the proud nerds we are, went to Adult Space Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama!

This intense and adventurous weekend allowed us to step into astronauts' shoes and truly appreciate the complexities of space exploration. Some highlights: 👨‍🚀👩‍🚀 We trained like astronauts on the Multi-Axis Trainer 🚀 Constructed and launched model rockets 🔥 Completed an engineering challenge, designing protective head shields

We also participated in two simulated space missions:

  • Performed an EVA on the replica International Space Station
  • Served as PAYCOM in Mission Control

I also want to thank Andrea B. at the European Space Agency - ESA for infecting me with your passion for all things space during our time together at the EU-Australia Leadership Forum in Sydney (2017) and again in Brussels (2018)!

This experience reinforced why I love working in communications, especially in the policy and advocacy arena. It's a field that constantly surprises me with opportunities to engage with diverse industries and subjects. Who knows where my strategic comms journey will take me in the future? The sky's not the limit - it's just the beginning!

Aug 6 · linkedin

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with my network today!

🎓 First, I'm proud to announce that I just graduated with my second master's degree, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from The University of Georgia, specializing in public policy. This journey, which I've been quietly pursuing part-time since 2021 alongside my full-time global career and parenting a small child (Leo was 18 months old when I started!), has been challenging but immensely rewarding. Lots of long days, working 8+ hours then driving to campus once a week (1.5 hours away in a different city!) to do back-to-back evening classes in topics like public finance, public management, policy process, research methods, and R for data analysis, among many others. I'm proud to be done finally, and to have learned so much.

🚀 But that's not all - I'm about to embark on a new adventure that's been a lifetime in the making. This August, I'll be starting my PhD in Communication Studies at Georgia State University, where I'll also be serving as a Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant.

This decision might seem unconventional to some, trading a secure full-time career for the world of academia. But for me, it feels like coming full circle.

My Nanna, who raised me alongside my single mum, used to always call me "Professor" when I was a kid. It was a term of endearment, but also a seed of possibility planted in my young mind. Growing up in a family where neither of my parents completed high school, and my Nanna herself (born in 1917!) wasn't able to be educated beyond grade 7, I've always been marching to the beat of my own drum. I never had a template to follow, and I've put all my energy into pursuing my intellectual interests and trying to positively contribute to issues and areas I care about.

Now, as I step into this new chapter, I'm motivated by the opportunity to conduct meaningful research, teach the next generation, and contribute to the intellectual canon. My research will focus on the role of storytelling in the policy process, with a particular emphasis on humanitarian and anti-refugee rhetoric - a natural evolution of my professional background in humanitarian innovation and refugee assistance.

A special thanks to my colleagues Maelis Carraro, Akansha Kasera , Carmen Wamukoya, and Amolo Ngweno; my dear friends Sarah Almahmoud, KaMeesha Barker Schoer, Jasmine Foriest, and Phillip Ramgobin; my mentors Ann Beeson and Edele Sheehan; UGA faculty and staff who supported my PhD application and made my studies so memorable - Kristin Lawrence, Jason O'Rouke, Inkyu Kang, Alex Combs, Eric Zeemering, and Katherine Willoughby; and especially my family - my mum Kerry Ayre, the best co-parent Alex Frankcombe, and my incredible husband Bryan Henderson, who have given me such important advice and support on this journey. Thank you all. Your encouragement and belief in me mean the world.

Here's to new beginnings, lifelong learning, and the pursuit of childhood dreams! 🌟

Related Questions

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How does Keeya-Lee Ayre incorporate storytelling into her workshops?
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How did Keeya-Lee Ayre transition from marketing to academia?
Keeya-Lee Ayre
Keeya-Lee Ayre, photo 1
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Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States