Who is Elaine McKnight?
Good question.
About Me
Hi, I’m Elaine McKnight: Bilingual Fractional CMO, marketing strategist, and proud data-and-coffee-fueled nerd. I built The McKnight Element for leaders like you: the ones running ambitious, mission-driven businesses with bold ideas and a never-ending to-do list. Raised at the crossroads of cultures and in a family where building businesses was the family business, I bring a global perspective and an entrepreneurial instinct to every strategy.
I’ve spent the last decade helping brands grow—whether that meant uncovering hidden insights in performance data, crafting audience-first strategies, or aligning cross-functional teams to finally get on the same page. My career spans the public and private sectors, from building high-impact campaigns at Penguin Random House to driving communication strategy at the Washington State Auditor’s Office. No matter the setting, my work has always centered on one thing: creating connection that moves people and business forward.
What makes me different? I combine sharp strategy with the soft skills that actually get it implemented. I know how to ask the right questions, listen deeply, and build trust quickly—whether it’s with executives, creatives, policy makers, or a room full of board members. I'm not here to throw jargon or trend-chasing tactics at you. I'm here to build something that works.
And while I’m serious about results, I bring humor, curiosity, and warmth to every engagement. I believe in the power of marketing to do more than just sell—it can clarify, connect, and create lasting momentum when done with intention.
When I’m not working with clients, you’ll probably find me reading (everything from business books to true crime), playing pool with women and gender-diverse folks in Tacoma (ask me about the course I created), or watching my husband fly fishing in the wild lakes of Washington. We live with our two very opinionated and sweet cats, Callie and Mr. Pumpkins (yes, he’s orange… I promise my ideas are more original than that).
My Roots in Business and Culture
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, with a few of my early teen years spent in Nicaragua, a place that deepened my connection to my Hispanic heritage and shaped the way I see the world. I come from a lineage of entrepreneurs: my grandfather, uncles, and parents have each owned and operated successful businesses for decades. Growing up in that environment, I learned early that building something of value takes equal parts vision, resilience, and adaptability—maybe more part resilience. It’s that same mindset I bring to every client engagement, combining strategic insight with the cultural fluency to connect across audiences and markets.
These businesses aren’t just a part of my family history, they’re the foundation of how I think about leadership, risk-taking and building something that lasts.
