Nancy Coleman is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in integrated communications, PR, and marketing roles. She has held senior leadership positions in various companies, including her current role as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at DigitalOcean, a purpose-driven organization in the technology sector.
Before joining DigitalOcean in April, Nancy served as the SVP of Corporate Communications at Skillsoft, a leading SaaS company specializing in corporate digital learning. In that role, she oversaw corporate communications, media planning, social and digital media, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Prior to Skillsoft, Nancy held the position of Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Maxar Technologies, a prominent global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets.
Throughout her career, Nancy has been dedicated to building and retaining brand equity, guiding organizations through periods of change, and executing effective communication strategies that enhance visibility, awareness, and employee engagement. She has worked with several publicly-traded technology companies, including DigitalGlobe and GeoEye, helping them establish and reinforce their brand presence in the market.
At DigitalOcean, Nancy is focused on amplifying the organization’s purpose-driven story and ensuring it reaches key audiences. She is responsible for overseeing internal and external communications, collaborating closely with the executive team, and expanding DigitalOcean’s social impact program. By leveraging her extensive experience in communications, Nancy aims to bring DigitalOcean’s vision, values, and achievements to the forefront, driving positive engagement and furthering the company’s social responsibility commitments.
In her approach to B2B corporate communications, Nancy emphasizes five fundamental aspects that she believes many B2B brands overlook. First and foremost, she emphasizes the importance of clear and consistent messaging across all communication channels. Maintaining a cohesive brand message builds trust and recognition among the target audience.
Nancy also highlights the significance of strengthening internal communications and alignment, especially in the context of remote and distributed workforces. She recognizes that transparent and frequent communication is essential for helping employees feel connected, motivated, and aligned with the company’s vision and priorities. This alignment not only boosts employee engagement but also contributes to a more consistent customer experience.
Simplifying complex information and tailoring it to the specific needs of different audiences is another area Nancy emphasizes. Given the overwhelming amount of information people encounter daily, effective communicators understand how to translate messages and meet audiences where they are.
Preparedness for crises is a crucial aspect that Nancy stresses. Drawing from her own experiences, she acknowledges the importance of having a robust crisis communication plan in place to effectively manage and mitigate potential crises. Such preparedness minimizes risks to a brand’s reputation and facilitates prompt decision-making during challenging times.
Finally, Nancy emphasizes the significance of continuous evaluation and adaptation. Regularly assessing the effectiveness of communication strategies, adapting to market changes, and optimizing approaches ensure long-term success. While measuring the return on investment (ROI) of communications programs can be challenging, Nancy encourages the use of available tools designed to align communications with business outcomes.
For marketers who are involved in communication-related tasks, Nancy suggests creating more unified messaging and processes with the rest of the brand’s marketing team and campaigns. She advises working from a shared playbook that encompasses a foundational brand strategy, brand guidelines, and messaging architecture. By remaining adaptable to external and internal factors while prioritizing the brand’s purpose, promise, and values, marketers can create stories that resonate with their target audience and differentiate their brand in a crowded market.
To newcomers in similar roles, Nancy offers several tips and thoughts. She advises them to begin by examining the brand’s mission and values while actively listening to the team and customers. Genuine feedback from these stakeholders provides valuable insights into the brand’s perception in the market. Nancy also emphasizes the importance of understanding principles and best practices for change communication, given the rapid pace of change in the tech industry. Effectively communicating changes and earning buy-in from employees helps build and maintain trust, a crucial element in any successful organization.
Moreover, Nancy highlights the growing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in today’s business landscape. Demonstrating a commitment to being a responsible business is no longer optional, as it is expected by employees, customers, and investors alike. Nancy recommends including CSR as part of the corporate communications program and overall brand narrative. At DigitalOcean, she is actively engaged with the Social Impact team, working to support initiatives with deserving non-profit organizations worldwide, in line with DigitalOcean’s Pledge 1% commitment.
Nancy Coleman’s extensive experience, leadership roles, and dedication to purpose-driven communications make her a valuable asset to DigitalOcean. With her strategic insights and focus on clear messaging, employee alignment, simplicity, crisis preparedness, and continuous evaluation, Nancy strives to elevate DigitalOcean’s brand presence, engage key stakeholders, and drive positive social impact.
