Mallory Grayson, Marketing Strategist on Influential Women
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Influential Woman · Marketing

Mallory Grayson

Marketing Strategist, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio

Columbus, OH 43201

9Years experience
2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree The Ohio State University — BA, Strategic Communication Member PRSSA Central Ohio Chapter Member Driven Foundation Board

Her Story

About Mallory

Mallory Grayson is a marketing strategist for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, a role she has held for one year, where she oversees the organization's internal and external communications, including social media, executive messaging, email campaigns, annual report content, event coverage, and public relations efforts. She also serves as creator manager for One Creator Network, a rapidly expanding TikTok agency she joined roughly four months ago, in which capacity she supports a growing roster of more than 200 creators and has traveled with influencers to TikTok's headquarters in Los Angeles, California. With a decade of experience spanning both agency and nonprofit settings, Mallory has built her career at the intersection of digital strategy, influencer engagement, and community-centered storytelling. Before joining the Boys & Girls Clubs, Mallory spent nearly six years at Geben Communication, where she rose through progressively senior roles in social media and influencer relations, ultimately overseeing agency-wide organic social strategy, managing influencer budgets and contracts, and mentoring a team of communications professionals while maintaining a 100% client retention rate. Her earlier career included work at RevLocal and freelance writing for CityScene Media Group, and her professional roots trace back to volunteer social media work for the Driven Foundation, where she has since served on the board for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication from The Ohio State University, her alma mater, to which she has returned multiple times as a guest lecturer. Mallory's work has earned notable recognition, including a first-place PRISM Award for an influencer campaign she independently developed and executed, and a PRSA East Central Diamond Award for an influencer campaign created on behalf of McGraw-Hill. She remains an active member of the PRSSA Central Ohio Chapter and continues to volunteer with both the Driven Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio. Grounded in a belief that relationships and adaptability drive success, she approaches her work with an emphasis on experimentation, mentorship, and using marketing as a tool for meaningful community impact.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Mallory

01What do you attribute your success to?

I credit a lot of my success to the relationships I’ve built throughout my career and my willingness to keep learning. I genuinely love what I do, both using my skills to support a mission that creates opportunities for kids and staying hands-on in the ever-changing world of social media through creator management. Having both keeps me connected to my purpose while continuing to grow in my field.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I received came from Krista Franks of Owl & Key: “Patch your own boat first.” Before you can bring others aboard or help keep them afloat, you have to make sure your own boat is steady. It’s a reminder that prioritizing your own well-being allows you to show up more fully for others, both personally and professionally.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice is that it's who you know, not just what you know — networking is essential. I found my current role through a former client connection, so I encourage others to go beyond LinkedIn, attend coffees and networking events, ask questions without hesitation, and take the time to genuinely get to know people.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the biggest challenges in marketing is that nothing stays the same for very long. Platforms change, trends move incredibly fast, and the news cycle and broader climate can shift how people engage almost overnight. It’s also a very crowded field, so you have to find ways to stand out. For me, that means never getting too comfortable with “this is how we’ve always done it” and always being willing to try something new, see what works, and adapt from there.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Helping others and building genuine community matter most to me. I also value staying curious, continuing to grow, and paying it forward by mentoring others.

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