My current role.
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As the first Director of Marketing under the first-ever female mayor for the City of Albany, one of the longest chartered cities in America, I am proud to bring new energy to community engagement, branding, and storytelling for a city on the rise. Appointed at just 24 years old, I lead city-wide initiatives that blend artistry with strategy, using my creative vision to strengthen connections within our community and beyond.
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Among my most notable projects are the branding of the Albany Waterfront, where I infused the city’s riverside identity with visual depth and cohesion, and leading the creative direction of the Mayor's State of the City presentation, an influential event that shapes our community’s vision. I am also dedicated to preserving the Mayor's legacy in her final years, ensuring her impact is reflected authentically in each project and initiative.
You can view my portfolio here.
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My career goal is to become a creative director for a leading media company that shapes entertainment and culture, all while continuing to build a portfolio of impactful art and events that resonate and inspire. With a focus on both creative direction and event planning, I aim to craft experiences that are as engaging as they are memorable, bringing a holistic vision to each project that elevates brand storytelling and connects deeply with audiences.
Skill Set & Expertise.
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My work focuses on bringing brands to life through a strategic and artistic approach. With experience across branding for public projects and impactful campaigns, I emphasize strong visual storytelling that connects with audiences deeply and authentically.
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As a seasoned event planner, I organize and oversee events that align with cohesive brand vision, ensuring every detail speaks to the overall impact. My approach integrates creativity with structure, resulting in memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression.
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My self-taught journey in visual arts is central to my approach as a creative. From digital design to painting, I leverage a wide skill set to develop imagery that captures both attention and emotion, making each piece a story on its own.
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From social media management to community campaigns, my approach to digital strategy emphasizes authenticity, engagement, and genuine connection with the audience. Through storytelling and brand consistency, I aim to bring communities closer together and foster meaningful interactions.
Education and Early Leadership
University at Albany
Bachelor of Arts in English and Art | May 2021
GPA: 3.6 | Dean’s List (2017–2021)
Relevant Coursework: English Studies, Literary Publication, Creative Writing, Tutoring & Writing, Life Drawing, Oil Painting
My academic journey began at the University at Albany, where I graduated with a degree in English and Visual Arts and a minor in Journalism. Throughout my time at the university, I immersed myself in leadership roles, serving as the Director of Marketing for Student Government. This experience gave me a foundational understanding of brand development and team management, skills that I bring to every project today. I also gained hands-on experience working with campus media, designing content, and leading creative projects that inspired engagement and community.
Experience.
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September 2023 - Present
Appointed as the first-ever Director of Marketing for the City of Albany, I now lead the city's marketing strategy, overseeing all public relations, digital media, branding, and event planning efforts. In this role, I am responsible for driving the city’s brand initiatives and fostering meaningful engagement with residents, businesses, and visitors.
I spearheaded major city projects such as the branding of Albany Waterfront and the creative execution of the Mayor's State of the City presentation, ensuring that both highlighted Albany’s growth and vision while preserving its legacy. I lead cross-departmental teams, collaborating with various city departments to ensure all initiatives, from infrastructure improvements to public safety campaigns, align with the city's overarching brand strategy.
My strategic oversight includes crafting impactful digital content, managing media partnerships, and producing events that foster community engagement. As the first Director of Marketing, I am dedicated to shaping the future of Albany’s public image and creating work that resonates deeply with the community, ensuring lasting impact.
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July 2023 - September 2023
As the Special Projects Coordinator, I was instrumental in enhancing the City of Albany’s communications and marketing strategies. I conceptualized, planned, and executed a wide range of communication materials, including social media content, website graphics, newsletters, fact sheets, press releases, and community presentations, all aimed at engaging a diverse audience. My work focused on translating complex city projects into compelling narratives that resonated with the public.
I coordinated social media strategies in collaboration with multiple City departments to promote events and initiatives, ensuring clear, aligned messaging across platforms. I also managed partnerships with videography and photography organizations, overseeing integrated project timelines and ensuring the timely, accurate completion of high-quality, on-brand visual content.
As the primary liaison for web content, I designed and updated engaging, user-friendly web pages to make city information more accessible. Additionally, I fostered strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues across departments, offering guidance on strategic communications and ensuring the city’s goals were effectively conveyed to the community.
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September 2021 – June 2023
As a Development & Marketing Assistant for the Albany Symphony, a Grammy-award-winning orchestra with a budget of over $2.3 million, I have played a key role in enhancing the organization's public presence and audience engagement. I supervise the development and implementation of Box Office policies, ensuring efficient ticket sales and delivering exceptional customer service in-person, over the phone, and online. Additionally, I lead the conceptualization and design of communication materials, including graphics and layouts for concert promotions and fundraising initiatives. I support the Development department by assisting with grant auditing, receipt tracking, tax acknowledgment, and filing, ensuring the smooth execution of fundraising goals. Collaborating closely with both the Development and Marketing teams, I contribute to the strategic planning and achievement of audience and revenue development objectives, helping elevate the Symphony's profile in the Capital Region. -
January 2019 – May 2021
As the Marketing Director for UAlbany’s largest student-run organization, with a budget exceeding $3 million, I led the development and management of the Student Association's marketing department, overseeing creative design, research, and execution for over 250 student groups. I was responsible for designing and implementing social media strategies, growing our Facebook and Instagram presence to 25,000 followers and increasing engagement by 45% through targeted consumer outreach.I collaborated with 13 internal departments, including Intercultural Affairs and Gender and Sexuality, to create dynamic content for branding, promotional campaigns, and marketing communications. One of my key accomplishments was producing a viral video that generated 200,000 views and led to a 57% increase in consumer engagement within just one quarter.
Additionally, I achieved a significant milestone by securing a blue verified check on Instagram for an account with 26.1K followers, further cementing the Student Association’s online presence and credibility. My role involved driving creative campaigns, building brand recognition, and enhancing overall engagement across multiple platforms.
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As Vice President of The Posh Daily, a youth culture-driven media and entertainment organization at the University at Albany, I played a pivotal role in tripling the organization’s budget from $3,000 to $11,000. This was achieved through the strategic design, implementation, and oversight of innovative programs and fundraising initiatives.
I led a team of 10 executive members, each managing their respective sub-committees, to ensure the smooth execution of all organizational activities. During a period of budget restrictions, I crafted social media strategies that resulted in a 27% increase in productivity while simultaneously saving 30% of the allocated budget.
I also spearheaded the event planning strategy, producing an average of 3 events per month with 300 attendees, and worked closely with the President to oversee the organization’s operations, including fundraising, finances, event planning, creative branding, and logistics. This collaboration led to a 50% increase in overall productivity, measured by the number of posts uploaded.
Additionally, I supervised and revamped creative content, overseeing the production of an average of 5 projects per week, ensuring that the organization’s visual identity remained fresh, relevant, and engaging.
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January 2019 – Present
As Marketing Director, I led all marketing and public relations activities for the chapter, developing innovative strategies to promote our mission and engage with the student body. I worked closely with the Membership Director to organize and promote community events, overseeing the creation of marketing materials, social media management, and public outreach. My role involved building cohesive branding, ensuring all promotional materials aligned with our chapter’s goals, and educating members on effective PR practices. -
January 2017 – January 2019
As the Public Relations Chair, I directed all marketing and public relations activities for The Posh Daily chapter. I collaborated with the Membership Director to plan both chapter and community events and developed creative methods to promote our activities. I was responsible for maintaining several social media accounts targeted toward the organization’s goals, setting clear promotional objectives, and overseeing the design and approval of all flyers, recruitment events, posters, brochures, schedules, T-shirts, and mailings. -
October 2018 – May 2021
In my role as President, I ensured the continuity and growth of the chapter by assessing members' needs and interests, planning balanced programming, and managing the chapter's budget. I led the delegation of responsibilities among officers and members while acting as a liaison to student government, faculty, and other campus organizations. My leadership focused on fostering collaboration and building a strong, engaged community. -
May 2015 – September 2015
During my internship, I assisted with manuscript analysis, prepared detailed Reader’s Reports, and participated in editorial tasks like rewriting and improving readability. Additionally, I managed front desk operations and ensured smooth communication between the press, bookstores, and customers. My attention to detail in organizing and distributing galley copies furthered my understanding of the publishing industry. -
Fall 2019 – May 2021
In this role, I provided academic support to students, particularly in the areas of writing structure, thesis development, and grammar. I worked with both native and non-native English speakers, guiding them through the writing process and offering constructive feedback to enhance clarity and style. -
August 2014 – August 2017
At Local Roots NYC, I contribute my time and skills to support the community-driven goals of the organization. My responsibilities include engaging with customers, answering product-related questions, and maintaining the establishment. I assist in running events, teaching cooking demonstrations to over 50 people, and attending monthly farm trips and staff meetings. My role also involves completing over 100 volunteer hours in just three months, furthering my commitment to the organization’s mission and cultivating connections within the community.
Bio.
Nyla McKenzie-Isaac is a visionary marketing director, dynamic event planner, and self-taught artist with an unmistakable drive to create meaningful, community-centered stories. As the first Director of Marketing for the City of Albany, working under Albany's first female mayor, she has led the branding of Albany’s Waterfront, crafted the Mayor’s State of the City presentation, and is working closely to preserve the Mayor’s legacy in her final years in office. Nyla has transformed how the city engages with its residents, using her distinct blend of strategic marketing and artistic vision to elevate City initiatives. She joined the workforce after graduating from the University at Albany in 2021 and, by 2024, was already at the helm of marketing for the city—a testament to her swift ascent and her talent for turning creative ideas into actionable, community-building results.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Nyla’s passion for storytelling and design took root early, carrying her through a robust academic and extracurricular career at the Beacon School and the University at Albany. Majoring in English and Visual Arts, with a minor in Journalism, she applied her skills across a variety of roles, including serving as the Director of Marketing for Student Government, where she redefined branding and outreach for the university’s student body. She also contributed to the Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony as a Development and Marketing Assistant and worked with ARCH Literary Magazine and the Posh Daily, shaping her as an agile creative and effective communicator with a talent for unifying diverse voices and visions.
Nyla’s career goal is to become a Creative Director at a major media company that shapes entertainment and culture, and she is constantly expanding her portfolio with art that resonates and inspires. She is committed to using her skills in graphic design, social media, and event planning to bring fresh, authentic perspectives to her work, crafting messages that celebrate inclusivity and spark community pride. At just 25, Nyla is already a force in the field of marketing, driving Albany’s community forward and paving the way for a future where her creativity and leadership will continue to inspire on an even larger scale.
my creative philosophy.
My personal brand's slogan is "Creative Powerhouse" because I pride myself on being able to solve any creative problem that comes my way. I have a natural ability to push ideas to their fullest potential, regardless of the resources available. For me, creativity isn't just about generating ideas—it's about taking those ideas and transforming them into something extraordinary.
I believe that every project, no matter its scope, holds the potential to create a meaningful impact. I approach every challenge with a strategic mindset, carefully considering how design, messaging, and experience can align to form an authentic connection with the audience. Whether I’m developing a new brand, overseeing a city-wide initiative, or crafting compelling content, I’m driven to extract every ounce of potential and ensure that no detail is overlooked.
Creativity, to me, is a process of constant evolution, fueled by both inspiration and intuition. It's about pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo, while also understanding that great ideas are often born from collaboration and a deep understanding of people.
I am passionate about creating work that not only captivates but also resonates—experiences that are thoughtful, intentional, and leave a lasting impression. My goal is always to craft stories, visuals, and strategies that are not just engaging but transformative, ensuring that each piece I create leaves a mark.
Let’s Work.
If you’d like to connect for collaborations, creative projects, or consultations, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me on my social channels or through the contact form. Let’s connect and make something meaningful together!