Wingard is proud to announce the expansion of our ownership team with the appointment of Natalie DeYoung as an equity partner.

DeYoung currently serves as the company’s Vice President of Public Relations and Communications. She joined Wingard in 2013 to establish the public relations and communications department. Under her leadership, it has grown to represent more than 20% of the agency’s employees and approximately one-third of the company’s annual revenue.

Her expanded role as partner both reflects and reinforces her contributions to Wingard’s success beyond her department. In recent years, she has taken on responsibilities in business development, client relationship management, agency operations and internal culture initiatives, including the company’s multi-year recognition in Jacksonville Magazine’s Companies With Heart and Florida Trend’s annual list of the Best Companies to Work For in Florida.

“Beyond her skills as a communicator, Natalie is a strong leader who seeks every opportunity to champion the success of our client partners, our team and our community. Her ability to contextualize complex details into a compelling narrative brings value to every one of our projects,” said Russell Baker, CEO of Wingard. “We are proud to celebrate her future here as a partner in the business, and look forward to many more years of collaboration ahead.”

“Natalie helped to change the trajectory of our agency. I started the company as a branding and graphic design studio in 2008, and she helped us develop into a full-service firm,” said David Wingard, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Wingard.

DeYoung regularly contributes to civic organizations that advance Northeast Florida’s cultural sector and economy. She is an active member of the JAX Chamber Trustees program; the North Florida chapter of the Urban Land Institute, where she serves as the membership committee co-chair; and the North Florida chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. In 2021, she was selected to participate in the JAX Chamber’s Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship.

Previously, she served on the Board of Directors for The 5 & Dime, A Theatre Company, and the steering committee for Any Given Child Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Business Journal recognized her as one of the region’s “40 Under 40” young leaders (2020) and a “Women of Influence” honoree (2023). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in journalism from Stetson University.

“Working at Wingard has presented me with opportunities to partner with people, organizations and institutions that are driving Northeast Florida’s growth. Elevating their stories with our smart, passionate team is a joy,” said DeYoung. “I am proud to have this opportunity to give back to the company and colleagues that have been my professional home for the past decade — and, ultimately, to serve our client partners at the highest level.”