Briana Laneuville Khan

I attribute my success to a combination of adaptability and relationship-building — the ability to walk into a completely different sector, learn its language fast, and deliver measurable results within the first year.

Over 15 years, I've moved across public health, government relations, infrastructure, and healthcare operations, and each transition forced me to rebuild trust and prove value quickly. At Sonoran Sun Wellness, that meant growing website traffic over 2,000% and social media by 500%+ from scratch, while also driving 20% year-over-year patient growth. At Fulton County, it meant translating economic development strategy into messaging that helped attract over $50 million in investment. And during the California wildfires, it meant leading crisis communications for Sonoma County under real pressure, when clarity and speed mattered more than polish.

What ties all of it together is that I don't wait to be handed a playbook — I build one. Whether I was launching an employee newsletter that hit 50%+ open rates or growing Elevated Image PR to 30+ clients almost entirely through referrals, the pattern is the same: identify what's not working, fix it with limited resources, and let the numbers make the case.

My mentor, the county manager for Durham County Government, always told me not to be afraid to be a generalist in a world that rewards specialists. My career has zigzagged through youth development, local government, economic development, healthcare, and now running my own agency. Every industry has taught me something different, and now I can bring all of that to every client relationship.

Persistence and exposing yourself to different industries really broadens your ability. Don't wait until you feel 100% ready to raise your hand for something bigger. I stepped into roles like leading emergency communications before I felt qualified on paper. Don't be afraid of a non-traditional path because it brings different qualities and skills.

Biggest challenges include client referrals, constant reinvention across different sectors like government, healthcare, and small business, each with its own language and stakeholders. The biggest opportunity right now is at the intersection of healthcare and communication, helping organizations build trust and visibility especially county healthcare departments.

Credibility, consistency, and trust are essential, especially in crisis communications during events like the California wildfires or helping small businesses. Service is another key value from my start in youth development and government work, believing good communications should be accessible to community organizations and mission-driven groups, not just those with huge budgets.