FACC Faces — Brittany

In this edition of FACC Faces, we’re getting to know Brittany Sykes, Marketing & Communications Manager at the FACC-NY. After nearly four years with the Chamber, Brittany has worked across Operations, Events, and now Marketing & Communications, gaining a unique perspective on the people, programs, and stories that make up our community. From finding new ways to spotlight our members to helping raise awareness around the FACC Foundation, she shares what she’s learned along the way and what she’s looking forward to as the FACC enters its next chapter.

You’ve grown into your role at the FACC through several different positions. How has your experience across the organization shaped the way you approach your work today?

 “Lucky” feels like an inadequate way to describe how I feel about all the opportunities I’ve had at the FACC-NY, but it’s the first word that comes to mind. In the near four years that I’ve been with the chapter, I’ve had the pleasure of working across three departments — Operations, Events, and now Marketing & Communications — alongside some of the best colleagues and mentors I could have asked for.

Each role has taught me the skills that drive how I manage our communications. Events taught me the importance of creativity and flexibility. Operations taught me the importance of being detail-oriented and forward-looking. And now, in Marketing and Communications, I get to bring those skills together to plan and design our broader communications strategy.

The FACC has a lot happening—from events and member stories to thought leadership and major initiatives. What do you enjoy most about finding the stories that are worth sharing with our community?

I enjoy that not a single day is quite like the next. I love that the Chamber is constantly evolving alongside its community. With a 130-year legacy, it’s important that we continue to grow with our network, and that means the stories we share are constantly evolving too.

I also enjoy finding the stories that may not always be obvious at first. There is so much happening across our community, from the work our members are doing to the conversations taking place at our events and the initiatives our team is building behind the scenes. I think there’s a real opportunity to bring those stories to the forefront and show the many different ways our community is contributing to the French-American business landscape.

Communicating for a French-American business community means speaking to a wide range of industries, backgrounds, and perspectives. What do you think makes the FACC’s story distinctive, and how do you try to capture that in our communications?

In my opinion, our team makes us who we are. Their dedication to ensuring each member of our community is fully supported, whether it be through membership, events, or J-1 Visa services, inspires me every day.

That’s why one of my favorite types of communications would have to be our activity recaps. They give us an opportunity to showcase the work our members are doing, highlight the conversations happening within our community, and recognize the team members who make those experiences possible. Especially for such a small team, there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, and I think our team members deserve that additional recognition for their hard work.

Looking ahead, what part of the FACC’s work are you most excited to help shape?

I’m most excited to help raise awareness around the FACC Foundation and its mission. I’d love to see the Foundation become an even more visible part of our community beyond the annual Gala, and continue highlighting the impact it can have on the next generation of transatlantic business leaders.

Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to communications efforts including the inaugural Impact Report, Quarterly Newsletter, and newly revamped website, with the support of Polina and FACC Foundation President Elsa Berry. With such an important cause, I’m excited to see how we can continue building awareness around the Foundation’s mission and the opportunities it creates for future leaders.