Kayla Griffin
Kayla Griffin is a Marketing Technologist and an expert in SEO, AI-SEO, Generative AI, PR, and Marketing. She is a Marketing Technologist for Big Sea, where she champions the adoption of ethical, human-centered AI for non-profits. Aside from working at Big Sea, Kayla also sits as the Director of Marketing for Spontaneous Brilliance with Sandra Cavanaugh, and teaches college courses in Communication.
Kayla is also an emerging visual artist, having exhibitions in NY and Los Angeles. Her art focuses on building deliberate joy in difficult times.
Her experience spans a dynamic blend of industries and disciplines, uniting art, communication, and analytics in powerful ways.
Kayla’s professional background also includes nearly a decade in higher education as an Adjunct Faculty member at the College of Western Idaho, where she taught communication, leadership, and digital marketing. She previously served as an Organizational Development Specialist for the Bureau of Reclamation, focusing on strategic communications, training, and change management.
She holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Rhetorical Theory from Boise State University and a Certification in Artificial Intelligence from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has also completed an MFA in Color Theory, and is only 24 credits away from a Master's in Public Administration in Big Data, and is certified in HubSpot Reporting and Analytics.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kayla is a published poet, artist, and speaker whose creative work has been featured internationally. She donates art to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) to raise awareness for chronic illness and uses her art to raise funds for AZA-accredited zoos and wildlife organizations..
A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Kayla finds inspiration in books like Master of Change and A Field Guide to Getting Lost. She enjoys reading Medium, attending the Western States Communication Conference, and engaging with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)—often encouraging students to join PRSSA to build their professional networks early and discover their own creative voices.
MY CURRENT COMPANIES:
www.bigsea.co
www.sandracavanaugh.com
www.kaylagriffin.art/home
• HubSpot Reporting - 2025
• No Code AI and Machine Learning: Building Data Science Solutions - 2025
• Fundamentals of Media Relations - 2024
• Marketing Management - 2023
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Certificate - 2025
• Academy of Art University - MFA
• Boise State University - MA
• College of Southern Idaho - AA
• Boise State University - BBA
• Marquis Who's Who Honored Listee - 2024
• Toastmasters
• The International Wildlife Coexistence Network
• Weber State University
• International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
What do you attribute your success to?
My work empowering nonprofits is fueled by a profound desire to see other organizations succeed and fulfill their purpose. This clarity was forged during a personal health crisis; after nearly dying from surgery, I realized that what truly matters is leaving the world better than I found it. I also credit my success to radical collaboration, freely sharing my knowledge, and confidently asking for help when I need it.
However, my success did not happen in isolation. I am profoundly grateful to an almost endless list of people who have contributed to my growth:
My husband (and best friend), Mark Galaviz, is always at my side and pushing me to pursue my goals. | Sandra Cavanaugh, the first mentor I had in marketing and communications, helped save the Idaho Aquarium (now Aquarium of Boise). | My whole team at Big Sea consistently pushes me to WANT to learn more, work hard, and collaborate with others. | Carolina, Milica Popovic, and the many other art mentors I have had who encouraged my work and helped me find my voice as an artist. | The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, for providing me a platform to gather more artists with chronic illnesses. | Suzanne Stone, for being such an inspiring beacon in the wildlife world and showing me what it takes to make social change. | My friends - too many to list, but each one cheering me on, comforting me when I am down, and celebrating my successes
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It is okay to admit you do not know something, and it is also essential to recognize when you have made a mistake. If you don't know something you need to know, ask. If you made a mistake, own it, apologize, and grow from it.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering the industry, my advice is actionable: find a mentor you genuinely admire and learn from them. The internet is endless, so look up the skills you need and take courses. Ultimately, you have to be the one to build your network and create your own opportunities. The worst someone can tell you is "no," and in that case, you aren't losing anything because you already didn't have it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in marketing technology is also the biggest opportunity, which is, it is ALWAYS changing. As soon as you master a program, a new one has emerged. Technology life-cycles are very short now, and marketing specialists are expected to know a TON of platforms. Turn this into an opportunity by living in a "learner's mindset." You will never know them all, but don't be afraid to learn the foundations of as many technologies as you can. You will be surprised how many are similar.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
1) If you tell someone you are going to do something, do it. 2) Share information and skills. Don't be afraid to teach people what you know. People are scared of being replaced, so they try to hide how they do things. Be open instead, because the relationships you build and the people you help are what make you irreplaceable. 3) Always be kind, yes, even to the people who are sharp on all the edges. Kindness is always an option, and their meanness is a reflection of their character, not yours. 4) Every. Single. Day. Find a reason to keep on living. Life is hard, but find those little things that make you grateful to be alive.
