Jesica D’Avanza is an award-winning communications leader who works at the intersection of brand and business strategy to make our world a better place. As owner and chief strategy officer at Round Square, she applies nearly two decades of experience in brand and communications strategy to help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations transform their communications for greater relevance, resonance and results. Her consultancy supports clients across health care, wellness, education, environmental and nonprofit arenas.

Prior to starting Round Square, Jesica served as vice president of marketing communications and brand management for the Muscular Dystrophy Association where she revitalized the 65-year-old brand to better connect with today’s families, donors, partners and medical professionals in a new era of engagement. She also spent nearly a decade at the American Cancer Society national office overseeing global communications strategy. During her career here, she played a central role in revitalizing the organization’s 100-year-old identity while spearheading campaigns to advance breast cancer awareness, launch a new endurance sports platform and re-energize the world’s largest charitable fundraising event, Relay For Life.

In 2012, PRWeek named Jesica as one of the nation’s 40 under 40 stars in the field of public relations and integrated communications. Her work has received top honors, including Silver Anvil Awards from the Public Relations Society of America. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Florida State University and her Accreditation in Public Relations. Outside the office, Jesica enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and is on a quest to visit every National Park in the U.S. She is also a runner and certified marathon coach.