Ayanna joined MassINC as the Director of Communications in December 2024. In this role, she leads the organization’s strategic communications efforts, ensuring its mission and initiatives are effectively communicated while reflecting the diverse communities of the Commonwealth.
Before joining MassINC, Ayanna served as a public communications professional for the City of Boston, working in the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement and the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet to amplify critical initiatives and better connect diverse constituencies with city policy. A dedicated community leader, she brings 15 years of local, state, and national leadership experience with the NAACP. Ayanna continues to champion gender and racial equity through her involvement with organizations like Mass NOW and Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority. Notably, she is the first Black woman to chair the Greater Boston International Women’s Day Breakfast.
Originally from Southern New Jersey, Ayanna now calls Boston home. She is a proud plant mom who enjoys exploring local, hidden gems. Ayanna holds a bachelor’s degree in Literature from Stockton University, where she honed her passion for storytelling and public service.