Her Story
About Emily
Emily Vonakis, MBA, is a digital marketing leader and Manager, 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 an RTX business, 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 do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible support system I've been blessed with. My husband and my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders, encouraging me through every challenge, celebrating every milestone, and believing in me even when I doubted myself. Their unwavering support has given me the confidence to pursue opportunities, work hard, and continue growing both personally and professionally. While I'm proud of the dedication and perseverance I've put into my career, I know I wouldn't be where I am today without the love, encouragement, and sacrifices they've made along the way.
02What’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.
03What 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.
04What 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.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are authenticity, respect, integrity, and kindness. I believe every person deserves to be treated with the same level of respect, whether they're an intern just starting their career or a CEO leading an organization. Building genuine relationships, leading with humility, and treating people with dignity creates trust and brings out the best in others. In both my work and personal life, I strive to be authentic, support those around me, and leave people feeling valued because I believe how you treat others is one of the greatest measures of success.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.