Dayanna Macias-Carlos is a strategic communications and public affairs expert with 15+ years of experience leading high-impact campaigns in California. As Founder and Principal of Pitaya Consulting, she specializes in media strategy, crisis communications, and multilingual engagement to help organizations elevate their message and drive change.

She has led statewide public awareness initiatives on public health, civic engagement, and environmental sustainability, working with government agencies, foundations, and community organizations. Beyond media relations, Dayanna excels in coalition building, policy advocacy, and philanthropic partnerships. She helped implement California’s $46 million Census communications campaign and played a key role in The California Endowment’s #Health4All initiative. With deep expertise in culturally competent messaging and California’s media landscape, she is a trusted partner for organizations seeking to strengthen their communications and advocacy efforts.

With a strong foundation in both quantitative and qualitative evaluation, Dayanna is dedicated to advancing community-first strategies that drive equity, social impact, and meaningful engagement across diverse audiences. Rooted in the bountiful Central Valley, she lives in Fresno with her husband and their dog, Woody.