Gatesman is proud to celebrate the appointment of AVP, Group Account Director Aleya Crable Jennings to Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2021 40 Under 40 Class. The honorees, selected in collaboration with PUMP, were recognized Thursday during a ceremony at Rivers Casino Event Center.

“I am honored to be included among this group of incredibly talented individuals who are using their skills, platforms and expertise to enhance our region,” said Jennings. “I am always proud to contribute to and represent Gatesman and the great work being done by the team. I continue to be inspired by our group and am excited to continue shaping the next generation of Pittsburgh professionals both in and outside of the agency.”

Nominated by Gatesman president, Shannon Baker, Aleya earned this recognition for her career accomplishments, volunteer work and commitment to the Pittsburgh region - she and her fellow winners are a reminder of what makes Pittsburgh one of the nation’s most livable cities and one of the best places to live as a young professional.

“Aleya is a phenomenal individual who brings fresh perspective, strong conviction,  leadership and thoughtfulness to everything she does,” said Shannon Baker, president, Gatesman. “There is so much depth, so many complex dimensions with Aleya that make her so well-rounded and so impactful. This recognition, as anyone who is lucky enough to know her can attest to, is very well-deserved. All of us here at Gatesman are continuously inspired by her and grateful to have her on our team.”

Aleya is the only woman of color to hold an officer’s position at an advertising agency in Pittsburgh - a stat she hopes her influence can change. Having started in the industry at an entry-level she advanced because of her commitment to positive business impact, consistent quality of work and working relationships, and by dedicating herself to expanding her perspective and insight by pursuing additional education - earning two, separate masters degrees, in addition to her bachelors degree. Her experience includes both agency and corporate marketing, advertising and branding. She returned to Gatesman in 2018 as AVP, Group Account Director. Since that time she has been appointed to the agency’s Emerging Leaders team, resumed her role as founder and co-chair of the DE&I Caucus, and became a mentor in the agency’s mentorship program to junior staffers.  

She also serves as a role model and mentor for younger women through her volunteer work in the community with several organizations, including Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG); the Pittsburgh Women’s Alliance; Morning Star Baptist Church; and the Graduate Pittsburgh chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Passionate about investing in the development of younger women – particularly girls of color – Aleya began volunteering with SWSG in 2016. Early on she explored ways to increase the diverse representation of undergraduate mentors and professional women involved in the program as the Diversity Committee Lead. She then ascended to a leadership role shaping the direction and objectives of the overall board and organization as Vice Chair. She now co-leads the combined Pittsburgh and Boston board.

Already an award-winning professional, Aleya’s accomplishments also include appointment to The Incline’s Who’s Next: Communicators class of 2019, as well as earning the 2018 Strong Award from Strong Women, Strong Girls and the 2018 Barbara McNees Spirit of ATHENA Scholarship for the Leadership and Negotiation Academy for Women. The six-month program, which she has since completed, was organized by the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.

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About Gatesman:

With offices in Pittsburgh and Chicago, Gatesman offers expertise in strategy/branding, advertising, public relations, social media, digital and analytics. Gatesman is a partner in AMIN Worldwide, an alliance of over 50 independent marketing agencies, and IPREX, a global communications network. Gatesman acquired Quest Fore in 2014 and Noble Communications in 2017.