As the Public Affairs and Communications Director at Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange, Virginia Drake develops and executes long-term strategies that increase brand equity and enhance the advocacy efforts of the firm’s association management and advocacy clients. The public affairs, communications and marketing plans she delivers specialize in advocacy campaigns, media relations, website management, social media strategy, events, and more.

Prior to joining the firm in January 2021, Virginia served for seven years as the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Bay Area Council, helping drive all aspects of the organization’s membership engagement, public policy and advocacy work, research, and major fundraising events.

Virginia’s career in the nonprofit and public policy sectors first began in New York City. She formerly served as the Development Director of Community for Education Foundation, a national education reform nonprofit, where she was responsible for raising the revenue goals of the organization. She also worked at a fundraising consulting firm, Powered by Professionals, where she managed marketing and events for several nonprofit clients representing a diversity of youth-centered and health-related causes.

Virginia received a B.A. in History with a minor in Government & Legal Studies from Bowdoin College.