Demeika Wheaton
Sr. Vice President, Porter Novelli
With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate communications, community relations, partnership development, social marketing, message and materials development and event planning, Demeika has led a variety of award-winning campaigns and programs that drive behavior change and result in healthier lifestyles and better outcomes for communities.
From promoting the importance of tracking a child's development and early intervention to raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of MRSA; to developing messages and materials for a major metropolitan school system and coalition building for a teen STD awareness campaign – Demeika says she always finds reward in her work because it contributes to the greater social good.
Demeika has worked with clients like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office on Women’s Health, National 4-H, Lysol and CDC Foundation on programs related to child development, healthy pregnancy, disabilities, immunization, germ prevention, healthy habits, education and youth development. She has a broad range of experiences developing and implementing social impact campaigns and programs with a focus on moms, women, teens and multicultural audiences.
Demeika has expertise in all facets of integrated social marketing campaign development from message and collateral development to strategic partnerships and grassroots outreach programs, with a focus on moms, women, teens and multicultural audiences. Additionally, she understands the value of collaboration and its potential to result in something more than the sum of its parts. Her partnership experience stretches wide and includes establishing national and local collaborations and fostering relationships with nonprofit agencies, schools, as well as faith and community-based organizations.
Demeika is a creative facilitator and enjoys bringing out the best in others and making connections. Demeika has served on ING’s diversity task force and developed a cultural diversity program for nursing home residents at the VA Medical Center to encourage physical activity, learning and social interaction. She has also worked with students in the Atlanta University Center to prepare students for careers in public relations and to help build a pool of diverse talent for Porter Novelli’s internship program.
Driven by her passion for improving the lives and health of women and youth, she volunteers her time working with community-based organizations like Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement and foundations to develop programs focused on health, education, image and personal brand.