Esi's leadership journey began early in her academic career, driven by her strong commitment to effecting positive change at Savannah State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). She took on various leadership roles, including serving as Class President, and played a key role on the Executive Board of the Student Government Association. Her dedication to social justice shone through when she led a student-organized petition to the Governor of Georgia to oppose tuition hikes. As President of the International Students Association, she demonstrated her commitment to inclusivity and promoted cross-cultural understanding among her peers.

Other Leadership positions /Awards at Savannah State University

• Selected as one of five students from Savannah State University to participate in the Thurgood Marshall Fund Leadership Institute in New York in 2006.
• Recognized as an honoree in the Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities in 2007.
• Received an award for contributions to the "Restoring Hope" initiative for victims of the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes (Mobile, Alabama, USA).
• Awarded for exemplary leadership and involvement as a Student Government official at Savannah State University in 2006 (Savannah, Georgia, USA).
• Achieved recognition on the Dean's List and Honor Roll at Savannah State University from 2005 to 2007.
• Recipient of the Haverty's Scholarship and the Silver Small Scholarship for the academic year 2006-2007 (Savannah, Georgia, USA).

Esi's academic journey not only honed her skills but also broadened her horizons. She achieved a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Savannah State University in 2007, earning the esteemed Highest GPA in Marketing Award from the College of Business Administration. Her pursuit of excellence continued as she obtained a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications from Emerson College in 2009 and received the Graduate Dean Award.

In 2009, Esi Yankah proudly became the cover girl for Emerson College’s first diversity magazine, representing the importance of inclusion and representation in a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). These formative experiences instilled in her a profound understanding of the power of collective action and the incredible impact individual voices can have in creating meaningful change.

These experiences laid a solid groundwork in business, communication, and the skill of persuasion—essential tools that would become invaluable in her future ventures.

A Communication Strategist and Visionary:

Esi brings more than 12 years of experience in diverse areas of Communication and Management. Her skill set includes content creation, branding, communication strategies and execution, TV production and hosting, stakeholder engagement, innovative problem-solving, cross-departmental collaboration, copywriting, digital and social media management, community development, Graphic & Web Design, and team building.

In her earlier years, between 2004 to 2009, she interned and worked with WERS 88.9 FM (Boston, MA), General Motors(Savannah GA), Color Magazine(Boston, MA), Colette Phillips Communications(Boston, MA), Designation Advertising and Design(Savannah GA), Optimus Solutions (Norcross, GA), Mary Kay (USA) and Lowe Lintas (Accra, Ghana).

Managing Consultant at Yankah and Associates (Jan 2010 - 2013):

In this role, Esi among other things designed and helped implement "The Flawless Personal Assistant" program, providing valuable training to over 60 CEOs' Assistants in leading Ghanaian corporations. This program enhanced efficiency and professionalism within corporate environments, contributing to improved productivity and organizational success. 

Championing Children, Families, and Women's Empowerment(Jan 2010 -Dec 2019):

Recognizing the distinct challenges that parents and children encounter in developing countries, especially in her home country of Ghana, Esi founded her company, Ticklz N' Gigglz, in 2010. In her capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Talk Show Host, Executive Producer, and Event Organizer, she has led several pioneering initiatives. Her efforts were recognized when she received the award of Most Promising Female of the Year 2013 from the Ghana Women Awards, under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection

• The Esi Yankah Show : As the host of Africa's first Bumps, Babies & Toddlers show, Esi created a vital platform for parents to share experiences, gain support, and make informed decisions about their children's development. The show produced 39 highly-rated episodes that aired on two national TV stations, reaching countless families across Ghana and providing valuable information and support to a wide audience.

• BabyFEST Ghana: Esi organized twelve of the very first Baby to Toddler Festivals in Ghana, providing a valuable resource for parents and families. These festivals offered a platform for connecting with other parents, accessing essential information, and exploring products and services related to child development. These events fostered a sense of community among parents and provided valuable resources for early childhood development.

• BabySummit: Following the success of BabyFEST Ghana, Esi expanded her efforts with the BabySummit, aimed at bringing together Parents to share their real stories and experts in early childhood education, pediatric health, and child development.

• Maternity Fashion Show and Magazine: She spearheaded the production of Ghana's first maternity fashion show and magazine, further enhancing the support and resources available to expectant and new mothers. This innovative initiative not only promoted self-expression and confidence among expectant mothers but also helped to break down societal stigmas surrounding pregnancy.

Host of Nestle Start Healthy Stay Healthy Show

In 2018 Esi was selected as the host for a Facebook Live show, Start Healthy Stay Healthy by Nestlé Ghana, a global leader in nutrition and wellness.  The show featured expert discussions, and interactive Q&A segments, all designed to provide valuable insights and resources to assist parents in nurturing their children's growth and development effectively.

Director of Corporate Communications & International Relations/Ag. Dean, International Programmes at the African University College of Communications (May 2019-Oct 2021:

This position allowed her to effectively utilize her communication and leadership skills to enhance the institution's public image while promoting international collaborations. She played a crucial role in facilitating the partnership between Morgan State University and the African University College of Communications (AUCC) during their visit to Ghana. Her efforts included coordinating meetings and events that encouraged constructive dialogue between the two institutions, thereby ensuring that shared objectives were effectively identified and pursued. This commitment not only strengthened the relationship between the universities but also created avenues for future collaborative endeavours in research and academic exchanges.

Communications Specialist, USAID/Ghana Feed the Future Agric Ghana Policy Support Project/Chemonics International(Oct 2014 -Jan 2015):

Esi facilitated the dissemination of communication to the media and stakeholders from the project team aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Government of Ghana, the private sector, and civil society organizations in evidence-based policy formation, implementation, and rigorous monitoring of agricultural programs under METASIP. The project focused on improving policies to support growth in the agricultural sector and effectively implementing public sector investment policies.

Communications Consultant UNAIDS (June 2020 -Sept. 2020)

Esi played a role in increasing awareness about People living with HIV (PLHIV) during the COVID pandemic. She worked with UNAIDS and the Otumfuor Foundation to evaluate the community response to COVID-19 in the area by engaging with local leaders, including chiefs, queen mothers, assembly members, unit committee members, women's leaders, youth leaders, and other significant community figures in 34 communities in the Ashanti Region. The evaluation included an analysis of communication campaigns, as well as the community's knowledge, practices, and attitudes with the pandemic. Additionally, she implemented a social media campaign that highlighted the stories of People Living with HIV during the pandemic.

Head of Administration at the International Community School (Accra & Kumasi Campuses (Feb 2022- Sept 2023):

Esi transformed the school’s administrative landscape by streamlining processes and leading the team in crafting comprehensive policy manuals for admissions, as well as for both Preschool and High School. Her innovative approach not only enhanced efficiency but also laid a solid foundation for clarity and consistency throughout the institution.

Communications Consultant for Cleanearth Scientific Limited (March 2024 -Sept 2024): 

Esi provided support to Cleanearth in the development and execution of a repositioning strategy. She designed surveys to evaluate the perspectives of the internal team and stakeholders concerning the brand, delivered training to company associates, and managed the facilitation and launch of a new website.

Esi Yankah consults with high-profile clients to enhance their brand and flawlessly execute their communication strategies. With a keen eye for detail, she expertly manages communication materials and simplifies complex processes, helping her clients convey their messages with unmatched clarity and impact.

Esi is more than just a consultant; she is a personal brand architect. She collaborates closely with her clients to craft a distinctive and authentic presence that resonates with their target audiences. What sets her apart is her highly personalized approach—each client’s vision and values are at the forefront of their branding journey.

By leveraging her expertise in strategic communication and knack for creativity and innovative problem-solving, Esi empowers her clients to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of public perception, ultimately increasing their influence and ensuring they stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Esi is a passionate philanthropist and community leader. She has actively supported initiatives that empower women and uplift marginalized communities.

Founded The Africa Mentor Network Inc. (2010)., In 2010, she founded an organization dedicated to mentoring and empowering young people. This organization has provided valuable guidance and support to countless individuals through its signature event which was Ghana's first "Speed Networking Roundtable, networking young people with CEO's of top companies.

Founded Uncommon Woman, Uncommon Favor Network:  She launched an inspiring peer-to-peer women's group, dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where women can connect, uplift one another, and find mentorship support.

Founded the Esi Yankah Foundation (ongoing - esiyankahfoundation.org) which has undertaken impactful projects such as:

• Backpack Empowerment Program: Distributed 3220 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to underprivileged children, ensuring they have the tools they need for success and improving access to education.
• Birth Kit Project: Provided 450 birth kits to expectant mothers, improving maternal and child health outcomes and reducing infant mortality rates.
• Confidence Kit Project: Distributed 590 confidence kits to young women, empowering them with essential hygiene products and promoting self-esteem, thereby enhancing their overall well-being and confidence. These projects have directly impacted thousands of individuals across 22 communities in Ghana.

Other volunteer activities (2003 - 2007)

• Volunteered with UNICEF, March of Dimes, LINKS and the Black Executive Entrepreneurship Program (BEEP).
• Participated in community events such as the Black Heritage Festival, Alternative Spring Break (hurricane relief effort), and fundraising events for the LINKS organization.
• Contributed to her local community through activities such as campus cleanups at Savannah State University, tutoring at Spencer Elementary School, and volunteering at Halloween events at Thunderbolt Elementary School in Savannah, Georgia

Esi is a published author with two books to her credit:

"NOW WAAAAIT A MINUTE" and "NOW FORGET THE TITLES & GIVE ME THE MANTLE." Furthermore, she contributed a chapter titled "From Dialup To Dialogue – Starting Digital Conversations With Customers Online" to the 2009 book "LEARNING CRAFT PRESS" on RSS (Really Simple Syndication) during her time at Emerson College.

Esi has also shared her expertise as a:

• Speaker, Ghana's first TEDx Youth Inspire event
• Participant, Women Ambassador Forum in Texas. (2016)  
• Special Guest, Young Diplomats,IYD, Youth Day. (2019)
• Speaker at the Hope 4 Life Tour in Accra, Cape Coast, and Ho, Ghana.  
• Speaker, iLEAD summit, Ghana Telecom University College, Accra, Ghana. (2013)
• Speaker, WiDS Dialogue, Soronko Academy, Accra, Ghana. (2020)
• Speaker, IHAV Conference, 2013
• Guest Speaker at the graduation ceremony of Kpong Vocational and Technical Institute in Accra, Ghana.  
• Guest Speaker at Herman Gmeiner International School in Accra, Ghana, addressing community service, inspiring young minds, and fostering a sense of civic responsibility.  
• Speaker at the WOMAN 2.1 SUMMIT in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. (2012 ) 
• Guest Lecturer at Emerson College in 2009 on "Marketing to African American Consumers and Other Ethnic Groups," providing valuable insights to aspiring marketers and broadening students' understanding of diverse consumer markets.  
• Participant, Harvard Africa Business Conference (2009), Boston, USA

Esi Yankah has been featured on the:

• Today’s Woman show
• At Home with Michelle Attoh,
• This Morning Show,
• The One Show 
• KSM show 

• Unsung Hero Award, 2014 (University of Professional Studies, Banking and Finance Association, Ghana)

• Nominee - 40 under 40 awards, 2017