Veleisa Patton Burrell

Veleisa Patton Burrell is a trusted counselor to clients and peers alike, providing strategic guidance on integrated communications, including media relations, content development, digital communication and executive visibility. Her talents lie in detailing company values through owned storytelling consistently across mediums to earn media coverage and improve reputation with employees, partners, and clients and industry peers.

Veleisa owns and operates a marketing communications firm, Narrative Evolution. In her most recent role as senior director of public relations and crisis at Denny’s, Veleisa was responsible for corporate and brand communications as well as crisis, internal, CSR and DEI communications. Prior to joining Denny’s, Veleisa worked in the Texas office of FleishmanHillard for three years in the corporate reputation team and championed DEI as a True MOSAIC counselor.

Veleisa graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and public affairs; she now teaches an undergraduate capstone course at the school. She later earned a master’s degree in communication studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Side work as a mindfulness facilitator and yoga instructor keeps her mind and body strong and resilient. Veleisa’s volunteer work includes launching the Dallas chapter of ColorComm, a professional network for women of color in communications, and serving as the inaugural executive director. She was named to Public Relations Society of America Dallas inaugural 40 Under 40 list in 2021 and was previously a board director for the chapter.