Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Jaquelyn Manetakis loves the communications field because, as she puts is, “it sits at the intersection of purpose, storytelling and impact.”
“As a purpose-driven leader, I’m energized by the opportunity to uncover what makes a brand truly unique and amplify how it solves real problems for its customers and communities,” she says. “Communication isn’t just about messaging — it’s about influence, trust and connection.”
With nearly 20 years of public relations experience, Manetakis was named among the 2025 Women to Watch by PRWeek, a trade magazine and news website for the public relations and communications industry.
Manetakis is a former vice president for Adtalem Global Education, a for-profit healthcare education provider based in Chicago. In her first year in the position, the company experienced double-digit growth in media presence and a record-high stock price. Manetakis secured media mentions on CNN, CNBC, Fox News and Modern Healthcare, increasing year-over-year media exposure by 60%.
Manetakis grew up in Bloomingdale, a western suburb of Chicago, with Italian roots on both sides of her paternal lineage. On her grandmother’s side, her great-grandparents came from Naples, and on her grandfather’s side, her great-grandparents hailed from L’Aquila.
She has traveled to Italy four times, including twice in her youth with her siblings and parents, Pat and Patti Ranallo, and on her honeymoon with her husband, Peter Manetakis. She and her family live in Friendswood, Texas. Her most recent visit was in summer 2024, when she spent two weeks there with her husband, their sons, Vinny and Louie, her parents, her siblings and their spouses, and her nieces. The family visited L’Aquila, the birthplace of her grandparents, a memory she says she’ll treasure forever.
“I’ve always felt a deep connection to my heritage, and I continue to seek out more about where I come from. It’s been a meaningful journey of discovery, and I cherish every piece of history I uncover.”
Food and family were at the heart of her upbringing, Manetakis says, with treasured memories of her grandmother making homemade ravioli and large family Sunday dinners marked by love, laughter and connection.
“Sunday pasta dinners are still a staple in our home, and my sons have grown to love them just as much,” she says, adding one of them especially enjoys helping make gravy and meatballs. “It’s a beautiful way our heritage continues to live on, one meal and memory at a time.”
Growing up, Manetakis was known for her stories — long, vivid, and detailed narratives she shared “with anyone willing to listen,” she recalls.
After graduating from Lake Park High School in suburban Roselle, she found her calling for communications at Marquette University, where she was captivated by the study of brand storytelling. She changed her major from health sciences to advertising, and later obtained an MBA from DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, with a concentration in marketing management and strategy.
Manetakis’ resume includes serving as director of communications at Chamberlain University and holding leadership positions at Christ Church, FTD Companies, Patrick Engineering and The Walsh Group.
She is a member of The Conference Board’s strategic communications council and a member of Chief, the largest executive network for women. She is also a previous member of the Empower Scholarship Fund’s board of directors.
“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to lead high-impact teams and shape strategies that not only elevate brand reputation but also move businesses forward during moments of transformation. For me, communications is a catalyst — for growth, alignment and meaningful change.
