Alumni Spotlight: Xana Pena
“My time at PRSSA gave me the confidence and networking skills that led me to my current job. Additionally, learning how to work in a team and my time as Publicity Director have helped me organize my day to day. ”
What was your undergraduate experience like?
My time at AU was fantastic, the professors and the people I met during those four years have made me who I am today. I majored in Public Relations and Strategic Communications with a minor in Business and Entertainment. I was involved in PRSSA starting my sophomore year and served both as Publicity and Finance Director during my senior year. I had multiple internships, studied abroad in London and was involved with AU Ambassadors.
Where has your career path led you since graduating?
After graduating in 2019, I stayed in DC for the summer working before moving back to my hometown of Madrid, Spain. Shortly after I started working in corporate and financial communications for one of the biggest agencies in the city: Tinkle Communications and have been there ever since.
What does your current role entail?
Currently, I work as an Account Executive at Tinkle, a large PR firm in Madrid. I’m part of the corporate and finance communications team and work with a variety of companies in different sectors, including private equity and real estate. I spend my days writing press releases of anything from a new acquisition to quarterly earning results, speaking to journalists, social media content and communication plans.
What’s one thing you love about your current job or working in public relations?
I love the people I get to met working in public relations. My team is constantly learning from one another and from the people we meet, it’s great that even during the pandemic we’ve been able to stay connected.
What’s your proudest accomplishment across your career so far?
I recently organized the 25th-anniversary event for IKEA in Spain with the Embassy of Sweden. That was both very special and stressful but I’m very proud of what we did as a team to make it happen.
What’s in the future for you?
As of right now, I hope to continue growing as a professional at my current position expanding my work to different kinds of clients. As for long-term goals, I love storytelling above all and plan to continue that wherever life takes me, whether getting a master’s degree or moving to a different country, the world is my oyster.
How have your experiences with PRSSA supported you in your professional career?
My time at PRSSA gave me the confidence and networking skills that led me to my current job. Additionally, learning how to work in a team and my time as Publicity Director have helped me organize my day to day.
What advice would you give to current AU PRSSA members to prepare for a career in public relations?
Be flexible! PR is constantly changing and what you do today can be completely different to what you’ll be doing in a month. Be open to change and learn from the people around you.
Fun fact!
I started dancing again with the pandemic and now go to a hip hop class every week!