Her Story
About Lindsay
Lindsay Nichols brings 26 years of experience to her role as Communications Director for a nonprofit client through the company she founded in 2024. Her career began with half spent in PR agencies in DC focused on nonprofits, followed by in-house roles with three nonprofits. She specializes in nonprofit communications, branding, grassroots marketing, crisis communications, digital and inbound marketing, and reputation management. Nichols holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego and has completed certifications in search engine optimization and answer engine optimization, with an AI certification currently in progress. She has served as president of Washington Women in Public Relations in 2009, as a board member and upcoming chair of Safe Shores since volunteering there around 2005, and as founder and former board chair of Living Cult Free. Notable achievements include securing media placements such as a CEO appearance on Anderson Cooper 360 and a front-page New York Times feature for Eli Lilly, as well as contributing to the passage of Pre-K for All DC legislation and launching the Positively PET website.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lindsay
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family and the good people around me. I had an interesting childhood moving 13 times in 18 years because my father was in the Navy, but I have two sisters and my parents provided a really solid family foundation. Now my husband, partner, and daughter keep me grounded, along with my best friend from college. I used to have a huge network in DC and have stayed in touch with them. I'm very grounded in reality, constantly reading and learning about what's going on in the world, and bringing that into my profession. I'm a very curious person who always has questions and never feels like I know everything.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice is to be hungry to read everything because anyone who says they're an expert in AI for communications is a liar as it is still in its infancy. Things change constantly, like before Twitter and now X, and Instagram not using hashtags anymore, so you just have to constantly read. Also set boundaries. I've been part of really abusive work environments and you don't have to lose your mind when you work. You don't have to love every second of what you do but you should be valued and find what you do valuable. Have really solid work-life boundaries and be hungry for this profession because it will serve you if you serve it.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.