The daughter of an accomplished Black former executive in the industry, the communications business is just a part of Nealy’s DNA. In the industry herself for a couple of decades, Nealy started out as a journalist and copy editor and has since transferred her skills to the corporate, nonprofit, government and now agency world. As PR director, she brings her passion for storytelling, relationship building and attention to detail and grammar to her role. Nealy has helped companies win several awards, including a Stevie International Business Award, Public Relations Society of America Pinnacle awards, an LACP Vision award and a Nielsen Norman Group Intranet Design award. She received her bachelor’s degree in mass media arts from Hampton University and a master’s degree in writing from DePaul University and has her accreditation in public relations. She is also a former Maynard Institute Fellow and was part of the LEAD Hampton Roads Class of 2014 (the best class ever!).

Nealy is also active in her community, serving on the Norfolk Tourism Foundation and Virginia Beach Public Library Advisory boards. Nealy is also a member of Black Brand, the Hampton Roads Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Public Relations Society of America.

Outside of work, she is a published author with a passion for short-term mission trips with her church. She also practices aerial arts, can eat fire, loves spending the spring and summer berry picking and is her family’s appointed baker. Her claim to fame? She’s related to the great late jazz musician and bandleader Dizzy Gillespie … but failed miserably at learning trumpet.