Jaynie Parrish is Navajo and the principal of Parrish Digital. You can find Parrish Digital on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jaynie grew on Navajo Nation but moved to Phoenix to live with her dad for high school. They ended up helping each other out during this time, but you have to listen to the episode to learn how!
Jaynie utilized and participated in different programs in high school and college (and beyond). We discuss the impact these programs have on individuals. I know I definitely would not have the opportunities I’ve experienced without the programs that I was able to utilize, and Jaynie thinks the same is true for her.
One thing that stands out about Jaynie’s experience is the importance of mentors in a person’s life and career. While at ASU, Jaynie met Dr. Petersen Zah. A fellow Navajo, he mentored Jaynie and other Native students at the university. This mentorship while she was a student lasted beyond her time in school. Eventually Dr. Zah encouraged Jaynie to apply for a job with the Navajo Nation Washington Office (Jaynie was in DC for an internship with National Public Radio). Over time, she moved back to Arizona and ended up working for Dr. Zah at the university for seven years.
Jaynie decided that she wanted to pursue graduate education. She served as a fellow for the Harvard Honoring Nations program and then obtained a Masters of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. While she was at Harvard she learned about political organizing and decided that she would take a direction that was different than her original plan to pursue education leadership. Jaynie went on to work with Rock the Vote and other nonprofits.
After organizing for Rock the Vote, Jaynie realized that more and more, organizing was occurring online. Realizing that she was already doing some of this online organizing Jaynie decided to create Parrish Digital. While it’s easy to share info about what you as a person are doing, it’s not so easy to do that as an organization and even more difficult to do it well. Jaynie trains companies and organizations to manage their social media accounts and campaigns. Jaynie shares insight into using social media effectively to raise awareness, share stories, and educate people.
It was a fun conversation with someone who has a unique network intertwining throughout Indian Country and beyond.
