Nikita joined Burness in September 2022. She provides a variety of communications support such as reporting, social media content creation, research, blog writing, and event support for a number of public health-focused clients including the Missouri Foundation for Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Trust for America’s Health, Dogwood Health Trust, and more.
Before Burness, Nikita served as a development and communications coordinator at Ayuda, a nonprofit dedicated to helping immigrants navigate the immigration and justice systems and access the social safety net. Nikita managed Ayuda’s social media platforms and e-newsletters, collaborated with department programs to lift the voices of their clients, provided strategic communications support, supported fundraising goals, conducted research, and helped develop and execute communication plans. Nikita also served as a co-chair for Ayuda’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.
Nikita graduated from Emory & Henry College with a bachelor of arts in mass communications and a minor in business management, and from Georgetown University with a Master of Arts in public relations and corporate communications.
Outside of work, Nikita loves discovering new music, dance and art. She also enjoys exploring new places.