Beer, Boardrooms & Bold Moves: What PR Pro Dayna Adelman Taught Me About Owning the Unexpected
By Brandi Sims
You know that feeling when you walk into a boardroom, glance around the table, and realize… yep, you’re the youngest one here? Your blazer’s sharp, your pitch is polished, but deep down, you’re quietly Googling what “KPI” means (been there, done that, got the Wi-Fi receipt).
That’s exactly why I couldn’t wait to sit down with Dayna Adelman on the latest episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast.
Dayna isn’t just a PR powerhouse with 15 years under her belt — she’s a global storyteller who’s led comms for HEINEKEN across the U.S., Indonesia, and Amsterdam (yes, the Heineken). And now? She’s the author of The Youngest One in the Room, a book that chronicles her first decade in PR — a time marked by unplanned adventures, boardroom lessons, and a lot of moments where life truly was like a box of chocolates (you never know what you’re gonna get).
Here’s what I took away from our convo — and why you need to hear this episode ASAP:
1. Being the youngest isn’t a weakness — it’s a wild advantage.
Dayna shared that her fresh perspective often gave her an edge. She asked the questions others were afraid to ask and wasn’t afraid to suggest ideas “seasoned” execs overlooked. Moral of the story? Own your seat — even if your chair squeaks louder than theirs.
2. Every PR career is basically a Forrest Gump sequel.
Unplanned escapades? Check. Unexpected promotions? Check. That time you accidentally emailed a confidential press release to the wrong journalist? (Okay fine — that one’s mine.) Dayna reminded me that the best careers aren’t meticulously plotted — they’re lived fully, bumps and all.
3. Ethics & transparency in PR have never been more important.
We couldn’t not touch on the recent AI-generated interview scandal that shook the comms world. Dayna’s take? Integrity beats shortcuts every time. For young pros navigating today’s digital landmines, that’s a golden rule to tattoo on your media kit.
4. You can lead global brands and write a book — no fancy title required.
Dayna’s shift from corporate comms queen to published author is a masterclass in career reinvention. Her biggest advice? “Your stories matter — don’t wait for permission to tell them.” (I’m putting that on a sticky note above my desk as we speak.)
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re too young, too new, or too different to make an impact in PR — Dayna’s story is the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.
✨ Catch the full episode here Apple Podcasts & Spotify
✨ Grab Dayna’s book at DaynaAdelman.com
✨ And remember: When life hands you a box of chocolates — pitch the caramel-filled one first. They’re always the crowd favorite. 😉