DCI’s Patience Fairbrother Named One of PRSA-NY’s 15 Under 35 Honorees

September 30, 2024
Teal and dark blue graphic with details of Patience Fairbrother being named PRSA 15 Under 35 Award recipient.

We are thrilled to announce that DCI’s very own Patience Fairbrother, Vice President, Talent Attraction, has been named one of PRSA-NY’s 15 Under 35 Award recipients for 2024. This prestigious recognition celebrates the most inspirational and ambitious young talent working in and serving the communications industry in the New York City Metro Area.

A Rising Star in Communications

Patience’s journey at DCI is a testament to her dedication and passion for connecting people with places and opportunities. Starting as an intern after graduating from Kenyon College in 2014, she quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional skills in brand and digital strategy before taking the helm of one of DCI’s three core practice areas.

Award-Winning Campaigns

Patience’s leadership has been instrumental in launching several groundbreaking campaigns that have earned industry-wide recognition. The WonderFL campaign, aimed at repositioning Florida as a destination for careers rather than just vacations, garnered the highest honor at the AVA Digital Awards and a Gold IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Award. Her work on Chattanooga Calling, which connected displaced workers to jobs during the pandemic in both English and Spanish, was recognized with a PRSA Award, demonstrating her commitment to inclusive communication strategies.

Her innovative approach is further exemplified in the Love, Kansas campaign, a national effort aimed at bringing people back to the state to fill job openings, and her work with Fairfax County, VA, supporting veterans transitioning into the workforce. These campaigns showcase Patience’s unique ability to craft strategies that deeply resonate with target audiences while addressing specific community challenges..

Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As co-chair of DCI’s DEI committee for the past three years, Patience has been instrumental in fostering a more inclusive industry. Her efforts have led to tangible results, including DCI earning the Best Internal DEI Initiative award in the boutique category from the Diversity Action Alliance.

Thought Leadership and Industry Engagement

Patience is the host of “Talent Wars: A Podcast by DCI,” the first podcast of its kind focusing on how cities and states are responding to global talent challenges. Her expertise is highly sought after, with speaking engagements at 17 events in the last two years alone, including a keynote address at Alaska’s largest business event and a session at City Nation Place Americas.

A Bright Future Ahead

“We couldn’t be prouder of Patience and her contributions to both DCI and the communications industry as a whole,” said Karyl Leigh Barnes, president of DCI’s Tourism Practice. “Her strategic vision, inclusive leadership, and passion for connecting people with opportunities make her an invaluable asset to our team and a rising star in the field.”

Join us in congratulating Patience Fairbrother on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in shaping the future of communications and talent attraction marketing. Congratulations, Patience!

Looking to elevate your destination’s talent attraction strategy? With over 60 years of experience in place marketing, DCI has the expertise to help you create award-winning campaigns that resonate with your target audience. Get in touch with Patience Fairbrother at [email protected] to learn more about how we can help you attract and retain top talent in your region.

Written by

Karyl Leigh Barnes

President, Tourism Practice