Her Story
About Emily
Emily Vonakis, MBA, is a digital marketing leader and Manager of Brand Marketing and Digital Communications at RTX, specializing in social media strategy, content creation, community engagement, and brand storytelling. With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, she has built a career around identifying social trends, creating meaningful digital experiences, and developing culture-first strategies that strengthen brand visibility. Her expertise spans the aerospace and defense, healthcare, nonprofit, and technology sectors, where she has helped organizations connect with audiences and amplify their missions.
Emily currently leads paid and organic social media initiatives at RTX, managing high-impact campaigns, digital communications strategies, audience engagement efforts, and data-driven marketing programs. Before joining RTX, she held marketing leadership roles at Raytheon, Bethany Christian Services, the University of Maryland Medical System, and Element U.S. Space & Defense. Throughout her career, she has managed multimillion-dollar marketing initiatives, developed successful social media campaigns, supported crisis communications efforts during COVID-19, and helped organizations grow their online communities through strategic storytelling and creative execution.
Emily is also passionate about mentorship and empowering the next generation of marketing professionals. She actively supports young professionals by sharing career guidance, encouraging leadership development, and helping others build confidence in their abilities. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Marketing minor from the University of Maryland Global Campus and an MBA in Executive Leadership from Southeastern University. Emily’s work reflects her belief that while technology and AI can enhance marketing efforts, authentic human experiences, creativity, and storytelling remain at the heart of meaningful brand connections.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve learned that the best career advice is to never be afraid to ask questions and to recognize that I don’t have all the answers. I believe there is always something to learn from the people around me, so I value collaboration and enjoy leaning on others’ strengths and expertise. Rather than pretending to know everything, I prefer to work through challenges as a team and find the best solution together. As a leader, I strive to recognize and leverage each team member’s unique strengths, fostering an environment where collaboration, curiosity, and shared success drive meaningful results.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering my industry, I encourage them to build a strong LinkedIn presence and use it as a tool for networking and professional growth. Keep your profile updated with a professional photo, a compelling About section, and examples of your work or thought leadership. Follow companies and organizations that align with your goals, engage with industry content, and focus on building meaningful connections.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI presents a significant opportunity in my field, especially as a tool to enhance marketing strategies and support social media content creation. However, I believe AI will complement rather than replace social media teams, as the human element of storytelling, creativity, and authentic voice developed through lived experiences cannot be replicated by technology. One of the ongoing challenges is navigating communication limitations due to the classified nature of certain content and the multiple layers of approval required before information can be shared.
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