I'm Emma Smith, the founder of Nia Avanna.
I am passionate about building genuine connections between businesses and the communities they operate in. I am dedicated to helping organisations develop community engagement strategies that are effective, authentic, and built to last.
I specialise in helping businesses and organisations engage effectively with their communities, ensuring they build trust, reduce operational risks, and create lasting relationships. My experience spans all areas of engagement, from managing local concerns like noise, traffic, and community impact, to promoting sustainability initiatives such as biodiversity and carbon capture. This includes running campaigns to raise awareness of key issues, working with strategic partners to strengthen engagement efforts, and developing communications that help businesses connect with the communities around them.
I have worked across both the public and private sectors, including local authorities, infrastructure and construction firms, environmental organisations, and corporate businesses. My work has involved developing engagement strategies, producing communications around local issues, running social media accounts, organising events with strategic partners, and finding effective ways to reach hard-to-reach members of the community. I have also managed sensitive issues, ensuring clear and transparent communication to address public concerns, and have experience handling crisis communications to help organisations navigate challenges while maintaining trust and credibility.
Whether it’s integrating community engagement into business planning, managing communications around planning applications, or partnering with charities to raise awareness, my focus is always on delivering results that benefit both the organisation and the community.
I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which recognises my experience as a communications professional and my commitment to industry standards.
“I’m excited to pass on my knowledge and help businesses enjoy community engagement rather than fearing it. While it can be challenging, especially when balancing conflicting interests, doing the right thing for both the community and the business is incredibly rewarding.”
— Emma Smith, founder, Nia Avanna
One area I am especially passionate about is charitable giving and partnerships. I have seen firsthand how a strategic approach in these areas can create long-term benefits for both businesses and the communities they support, strengthening business objectives while making a tangible difference.
At Nia Avanna, my mission is to empower businesses to develop and implement community engagement strategies that build trust, encourage collaboration, and drive positive change.
“Emma was great at coordinating and communicating the CSR opportunity between our organisations. She understood the needs of the charity and where our overlaps were. The needs of our young people were taken on board and ensured they were upheld. I'd love to work with Emma on future opportunities.”
— Louise, charity CEO
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