Join us in congratulating Jessi Blakley, senior director of strategic communications at Tavistock Development Company, on her recognition as one of the Women to Watch in Orlando Business Journal’s 2018 Women Who Mean Business Awards.
Blakley, a passionate communications industry leader, began her public relations career while attending Auburn University in 1999. Enrolled as a med student, a shift in her degree major occurred when Blakley’s sorority sister returned from an NBC Today Show internship. After hearing her excitement about working behind the scenes and managing communications, Blakley was so intrigued that she promptly changed majors and started writing for the school newspaper. That same year, she won an internship with CNN. Little did she know that in the coming years she would play a major role in one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation, Lake Nona.
After graduating with a BA in communications, Blakley later went on to pursue her professional accreditation in public relations, or APR. Unlike many professions, public relations does not have required certifications. She feels it is important that communications professionals voluntarily commit to upholding the values, ethics and principles of their field. Blakley carries a strong sense of pride in her career. And she takes communications seriously. “Communications is so much more than publicity – it’s the foundation of every business, every relationship. A lot has changed since I was younger, but I think there is a huge opportunity to better expose and educate youth as to the many career opportunities. Knowledge is power.”
Initially hired as a Tavistock consultant in 2006, Blakley later moved in-house and has been with Tavistock for over 12 years. Blakley feels incredibly privileged to be part of an organization with such an amazing portfolio of projects. She recalls the early beginnings as a land company with a dozen colleagues only a decade ago. “Now, we have a team of 150 people – some of the smartest, innovative collaborators – who choose to come to work at Tavistock to make a difference, to thinking outside the box, to not do more of the same. We all live by our chairman’s credo to pursue excellence in everything we do. It’s inspiring, it’s challenging, but most of all, it’s fun.”
Ever wonder how Tavistock Development manages to keep their press releases and marketing messages so clean, fresh and consistent? Kudos go to Blakley and her powerhouse team working behind the scene. Part of the daily routine includes continuously monitoring news coverage of projects, the political landscape, and the community while overseeing social media (the team manages 20+ channels). Her team spends a significant amount of time “writing, editing and reviewing nearly everything that’s published both internally and externally – brochures, websites, talking points, video scripts, business proposals. I also oversee community relations, government relations, issues and crisis management – basically, all the fun stuff.” She says, “No two days are the same, and for me, that’s what’s exciting!”
When asked who she attributes her success to, Blakley first gives credit to her family. Her grandfather and father were both successful business owners who taught her the value of hard work, respect and persistence at a very young age. She was taught by her grandmother and mother that she could achieve anything she set her mind to with strength and determination. And now, she proclaims, “Without my husband, I would not be fortunate enough to balance a successful career and beautiful family.” Additionally, she credits the fortune of working with “amazing mentors” who have been there for her on this journey. “It takes a village,” says Blakley.
Who better to ask about the vision for Lake Nona’s future than Tavistock’s director of communications? Here is what Blakley has to say: “I see it as the defining community of Orlando, and among the best places to live in the country. I see an energized Town Center that’s the social center of the community and sought-after regional destination. I see new partners, a new teaching hospital, a new human performance center in our Medical City, and an entrepreneurial ecosystem that’s inspiring innovation and advancements across a multitude of industries.
“I see athletes of every sport choosing Lake Nona as their home, their place to train, a place that inspires them to be their very best, 365 days of the year. I see our collaborative learning environment inspiring future education models, and thousands of graduates choosing to stay here and be part of our exciting future. I see our living lab and wellbeing studies cited for findings that will improve our overall health and perhaps even change the model of our current healthcare system.
“We’ve already accomplished so much, but we also have so much more to look forward to. It’s what gets us so excited to come to work every day and create this incredible place that’s truly like no other.”
To learn more, visit LakeNona.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @learnlakenona.
Sophia Rogers is a six-year Lake Nona area resident and Realtor/founder of NonaHomeGuide.com. A wife and mom of four, family, relationships and real estate are her passions. She can be reached at sophia@nonahoodnews.com.
