Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole Santoro serves as a Senior Marketing Manager at Learning Undefeated, a STEM education nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to hands-on STEM learning and career opportunities. She has spent the past six years in the nonprofit sector, building on a broader communications career that began approximately 12 years ago following agency experience in public relations. Santoro earned a B.A. in Public Relations from The University of Alabama, where she was involved with PRSSA, and later completed an M.A. in Public Relations & Corporate Communications from Georgetown University. Her graduate studies helped inspire her transition into nonprofit communications, where she found an opportunity to combine strategic marketing with mission-driven work. She is also an active member of the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Throughout her career, Santoro has developed expertise in strategic communications, digital marketing, public relations, social media, campaign strategy, analytics, and audience engagement. In her current role, she has helped nearly double her organization’s social media engagement, strengthening its ability to connect students with STEM education and career opportunities. Her earlier agency experience included work with consumer and nonprofit clients, where she developed and optimized campaigns, managed paid media initiatives, analyzed social media performance, and created KPI reports to measure communications effectiveness. She credits much of her professional growth to the guidance and encouragement of inspiring female mentors who supported her through important career transitions and encouraged her to recognize and build upon her strengths. Beyond her primary responsibilities, Santoro provides pro bono communications support to several animal rescue organizations, reflecting her commitment to using her professional skills in service of causes she cares about. She considers integrity, empathy, and compassion as fundamental values in both her professional and personal life. As the marketing and communications field continues to evolve, she views the integration of artificial intelligence into social media and marketing as both a significant challenge and an opportunity, particularly in developing responsible best practices that preserve authentic, human-centered communication while remaining aligned with an organization’s mission. For young women entering the communications field, Santoro encourages them to remain confident in their abilities, recognize the value they bring to their work, and seek out mentors to help guide them through their career paths.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my professional success to the many mentors who have supported and guided me throughout my career. I’ve been fortunate to connect with and learn from so many inspiring women who have encouraged me, shared their expertise, and provided valuable perspective at important stages of my professional journey.
A special thank you to my aunt Jane Kubasik and supervisor Janeé Pelletier for the mentorship, encouragement, and guidance they've given me. I’m especially grateful for the ways they've challenged me to grow, trusted me to take on new opportunities, and supported me along the way. Their mentorship has played a meaningful role in shaping my growth, building my confidence, and helping me navigate career transitions with purpose. I’m incredibly grateful for the women who have invested in me throughout my career and I hope to pay that same support forward by encouraging and mentoring others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to find work that allows me to help people while also doing something I genuinely enjoy. When you can make a positive difference in the lives of others and find fulfillment in what you do each day, your work becomes more meaningful and rewarding.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the communications and marketing industry is to be confident in who you are and believe in the skills and perspective you bring to the table. Trust your abilities, continue learning, and do not be afraid to advocate for yourself and your ideas. Just as importantly, support and encourage other women in the industry. There is room for all of us to succeed, and lifting one another up can create stronger relationships, opportunities, and a more supportive professional community.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in marketing and social media right now is the integration of artificial intelligence. While AI offers powerful tools for improving efficiency and strengthening our work, there are understandable concerns about how it may affect the roles of social media and marketing professionals. I see an opportunity to help develop thoughtful best practices for incorporating AI into our department’s workflow while ensuring that our approach remains human-centered, authentic, and closely aligned with our organization’s mission.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are integrity, empathy, and compassion. I believe in being truthful and transparent, treating others with consideration, taking accountability, and consistently doing what is right even when it may not be the easiest choice. These values guide how I build relationships, approach my work, and contribute to the people and organizations around me.
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