On Saturday, August 15, SMU’s All-University Commencement Convocation brought together graduates from each of the University’s schools and professional programs.
To mark the occasion, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs alumna Emily Graham ’07 had a special message for the newest class of Meadows alumni.
About Emily K. Graham ’07
A 2007 graduate of the Meadows Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Emily has achieved unprecedented professional success in the corporate relations industry, while disrupting the status quo in American executive leadership.
After completing her degree at SMU, Emily began her career in Dallas by helping clients navigate the 2008 financial crisis. That work led her to C-suite tables in New York City, where she continued to make significant career strides at FleishmanHillard, one of the largest communication firms in the world. In 2018, she became the youngest member of the firm’s executive leadership team. Most recently, Emily was appointed the firm’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, responsible for accelerating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across a global network of clients.
Emily’s journey as a millennial executive and woman of color in the communications industry has been well documented in Forbes, Essence, and on LinkedIn’s How I Got Here series. She was named a “Top Woman in PR” by PRNews in November 2019 and was recently included on the Crain’s New York Business “40 under 40” list.
During her time at SMU Emily received the prestigious M Award for her leadership on campus. She was a Meadows Senator, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a three-year Resident Assistant, AARO Director, Mustang Corral Leader and Mustang Roper.
Emily has remained committed to her alma mater through her involvement as an alumna. She currently serves as an inaugural member of the Meadows 2050 Council, a young alumni advisory group that informs strategy related to the school’s alumni engagement, recruitment, marketing, and communication efforts.
