
Alumna named one of Adweek’s Industry Leaders at the Top of Their Game
July 22, 2025
July 22, 2025
After earning her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in marketing, McNamara carved an exceptional trajectory in the world of communications and media. She spent over a decade as senior vice president of new business operations and consulting services at VaynerMedia before rising to chief business officer of VaynerX in 2023.
As chief business officer, McNamara’s contributions are instrumental to VaynerX’s success. Honored in Adweek’s 50 of 2025, McNamara is celebrated for her innovative leadership and creation vision.
“I was both grateful and humbled to be recognized among such esteemed leaders across the industry,” said McNamara. “It was a proud moment — not just for me personally, but as a reflection of the work we’ve built at Vayner. I’m incredibly thankful to my colleagues, my boss Gary Vaynerchuk and our clients for creating the space for me to grow and lead in this company and in the marketing world.”
While the recognition from Adweek is meaningful, McNamara remains focused on the deeper meaning behind her work.
“While it's amazing to be recognized, I try to stay grounded in what actually matters behind this award: impact, relationships and growth," she said. "I’m certainly honored by the recognition, but what has meant even more is the outpouring of support from people who’ve seen and felt the work. The award is nice, but the acknowledgment from peers and mentors has been even more meaningful.”
Working in such a fast-paced and ever-changing industry, McNamara’s curiosity is a powerful force in her success.
“At my core, I’m a practitioner — I stay inspired by staying close to the work and deeply engaged in what’s evolving. I’ve become very comfortable with change because I’ve trained myself to be open-minded and to approach what’s next with a winning mindset,” she said. “Rather than resist change, I lean into it. I want to understand it, play with it and figure out how it can serve our clients and our people. That curiosity keeps me sharp, but also helps me lead from a place of understanding rather than theory. It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about being excited to find them.”
This recognition is not only a testament to her impact on both the company and the industry but also emphasizes the importance of taking a leap of faith and making bold choices.
“The most defining moments in my career have been the ones where I chose the less obvious path — or even took what looked like a step back — in order to move forward with greater purpose,” said McNamara. “Leaving my first job to take a role at Vayner felt like a risk at the time, but it turned out to be a foundational move. Later, I became the first person at the company to step into an official business development role, despite not seeing myself as a traditional salesperson. And starting our consulting practice — without any formal consulting experience — was another leap that has paid off tremendously.”
It was this open mindset that led McNamara to her success, teaching her to embrace risk and uncertainty.
“Each of these moments taught me that there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ decisions — just the ability to keep making them,” she said. “And more importantly, to give yourself permission to change course when something no longer suits you. That mindset has allowed me to stay open, agile and aligned with what’s most meaningful at every stage of my journey.”
Rooted in empathy, clarity and strategic momentum, McNamara’s leadership style focuses on designing environments that bring out the best in people, allowing her to balance vision with execution.
“I see myself first and foremost as a cultural steward. My leadership style is rooted in the ability to move a group — from where they are today to where we need to go — by deeply understanding both individual and collective needs,” said McNamara. “I take the time to get to know what drives people, what they’re great at and what support they need to thrive. Then I build the systems, processes and strategies that enable that movement to happen smoothly and meaningfully.”
With such an accomplished and esteemed career, McNamara credits Quinnipiac for preparing her for the field of communications.
“Quinnipiac’s School of Communications emphasized real-world experience, and that made a big impact on me. There were two classes that stuck with me. One was a professional selling course that taught the fundamentals of simplicity and clarity in selling — something I draw on often when training teams. Another was a nonprofit public relations class taught by Hillary Sisco, where we did real-world work for a local organization," she said. "That hands-on learning was invaluable. My time there gave me both the foundation and the confidence to pursue a path I couldn’t have fully imagined at the time. I’m proud to be an alum and excited to see where the next generation takes it from here.”
For students starting their career journey, McNamara encourages them to be empowered by their own skills and confidence.
“To trust your voice louder than anyone else’s. I spent too much of my twenties worrying about what others might think, often second-guessing myself or holding back creative ideas out of fear of rejection,” said McNamara. “Over time, I’ve learned that while it’s valuable to gather input and learn from those around you, your intuition and internal compass need to lead. Learning to trust my instincts has been essential in every major decision I’ve made — including the one that brought me to Vayner. It’s not about tuning everyone out, but about making sure your voice doesn’t get lost in the noise.”
In addition to trusting their gut, McNamara urges Bobcats to be flexible and spend time learning who they are.
“It’s great to have goals and a vision, but the reality is that the world — and the workplace — will evolve in ways you can’t predict. What’s more valuable is taking the time to truly understand who you are, what you're good at and what energizes you," she said. "Focus on identifying your strengths, then seek out roles or industries where those strengths are in demand — and even more importantly, surround yourself with people who recognize and value them. That alignment matters far more than chasing a specific title or timeline.”
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