THABILE MAKUE
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Executive communications and external affairs leader with 15 years of experience advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic communications, narrative strategy, fund development, stakeholder engagement, and organizational leadership across social impact sectors. Proven track record leading cross-functional teams, strengthening organizational visibility, guiding institutions through change, and translating complex social issues into compelling, community-centered strategies that build trust, engagement, and institutional influence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Communications & Fund Development Officer
Young Women’s Freedom Center
10.2022 - Current
- Executive leader overseeing enterprise communications, narrative strategy, and fund development for a multi-site nonprofit managing approximately $15M in annual revenue across philanthropic and government funding streams.
- Partners with executive leadership to align communications, fundraising, external engagement priorities, long-term growth goals, and institutional positioning.
- Led organizational positioning and brand strategy during rebranding and expansion efforts.
- Directed media relations and crisis communications, securing national coverage and strengthening organizational visibility.
- Built integrated communications and editorial systems that improved brand consistency, organizational alignment, and cross-department collaboration.
- Helped strengthen fundraising operations and donor engagement systems across institutional and individual giving.
- Supervises communications and development staff and represents the organization externally with media, philanthropic, advocacy, and community stakeholders.
Director of Communications
Young Women's Freedom Center
Los Angeles, California
10.2020 - 10.2022
- Developed enterprise communications strategy supporting advocacy, fundraising, and organizational visibility.
- Built and led the organization’s first communications team and editorial infrastructure.
- Guided media strategy and storytelling initiatives that strengthened statewide engagement and brand consistency.
- Partnered with leadership, designers, and developers to align messaging across digital and print platforms.
Manager of Partnerships and Engagement
Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles
10.2019 - 10.2020
- Led partnership and engagement strategies focused on equitable food access and public health initiatives.
- Built cross-sector partnerships.
- Directed community engagement campaigns that increased participation in citywide food justice programs.
- Developed reports and educational materials that improved public understanding of equitable food access.
Account Manager / Senior Account Manager
Ogilvy | MSLGROUP / Publicis | Atmosphere Communications
04.2016 - 06.2019
- Directed strategic communications for global clients across healthcare, technology, consumer, and financial services sectors.
- Managed multi-channel media and storytelling campaigns in fast-paced agency environments.
- Translated complex technical and policy-related issues into accessible audience-centered narratives.
- Supported brand visibility through integrated communications strategies.
Account Manager
Quad Republic
10.2014 - 03.2016
- Directed a national public health communications campaign promoting HIV testing awareness through multilingual storytelling and community engagement.
- Collaborated with government and nonprofit stakeholders on culturally responsive communications initiatives.
- Developed editorial and outreach strategies that increased public awareness and engagement.
Education
Bachelor's - Business Administration
01.2015
Diploma - Public Relations
01.2012
Skills
- Executive communications
- External affairs strategy
- Fund development
- Organizational positioning
- Crisis and reputation management
- Media relations
- Public affairs and stakeholder engagement
- Narrative strategy
- Cross-sector partnerships
- Brand stewardship
- Executive leadership
- Team development and mentorship
- Change management
- Thought leadership
Timeline
Chief Communications & Fund Development Officer - Young Women’s Freedom Center
10.2022 - Current
Director of Communications - Young Women's Freedom Center
10.2020 - 10.2022
Manager of Partnerships and Engagement - Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles
10.2019 - 10.2020
Account Manager / Senior Account Manager - Ogilvy | MSLGROUP / Publicis | Atmosphere Communications
04.2016 - 06.2019
Account Manager - Quad Republic
10.2014 - 03.2016
Vaal University of Technology - Bachelor's, Business Administration
Vaal University of Technology - Diploma, Public Relations