Yanique DaCosta is an accomplished brand strategist, creative executive, business development leader, and hospitality professional whose career has been defined by transforming ambitious ideas into measurable business success. Guided by her personal philosophy that “execution is more than half the battle,” she has spent more than sixteen years helping organizations strengthen their market presence, build memorable customer experiences, and accelerate sustainable growth. Her unique combination of creative vision, operational leadership, and strategic business acumen has enabled her to bridge the gap between compelling brand storytelling and measurable financial performance across hospitality, travel, fintech, arts, and nonprofit organizations.
As the Founder and Creative Director of YKMD Visual Communication, Yanique has established a nationally recognized branding agency specializing in luxury boutique hotels, destination brands, and experiential events. Under her leadership, YKMD has partnered with globally recognized organizations including Apple, Marriott, the NFL, Under Armour, and Harry Belafonte’s Sankofa initiative to create immersive brand experiences that increase visibility, drive premium customer engagement, and generate measurable revenue growth. Her proprietary approach combines strategic positioning, visual identity development, experiential marketing, and operational execution to help organizations become memorable lifestyle brands that command greater customer loyalty and stronger financial results. Through her work, clients have experienced significant increases in qualified leads, direct bookings, and event revenue while establishing stronger long-term brand equity.
Yanique’s expertise extends well beyond creative leadership into business development and organizational growth. Throughout her entrepreneurial career, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to generate substantial revenue through strategic partnerships, outbound business development, relationship management, and client retention. She has built long-term partnerships across hospitality, events, and service industries while developing systems that improve client acquisition, strengthen market positioning, and support scalable business expansion. Her disciplined approach to sales strategy and customer engagement has enabled her organization to consistently secure high-value clients while delivering exceptional experiences that result in repeat business and lasting relationships.
Complementing her entrepreneurial accomplishments is an impressive background in hospitality operations and executive property management. Serving in senior leadership positions with organizations including Castle Group, AKAM Onsite, and FirstService Residential, Yanique has managed multimillion-dollar operating budgets, overseen complex capital improvement initiatives, directed large operational teams, and served as the trusted advisor to governing boards overseeing luxury residential communities. Her responsibilities have included managing special assessments exceeding $15 million, implementing operational transformations, negotiating complex vendor agreements, strengthening financial oversight, and guiding organizations through regulatory compliance and long-term infrastructure planning. This operational expertise gives her an uncommon ability to align branding, customer experience, financial stewardship, and organizational performance into one cohesive leadership strategy.
Beyond her executive leadership responsibilities, Yanique has distinguished herself as an influential voice within the global creative community. She currently serves as National President of the Graphic Artists Guild, after previously serving as National Treasurer, Executive Board Member, and Southern Regional Representative. Her leadership has strengthened financial performance, increased member engagement, expanded organizational visibility, and fostered strategic initiatives that continue to support creative professionals nationwide. She has also represented the organization internationally, contributing to discussions surrounding copyright, ethical standards, and the advancement of the design profession while helping shape industry best practices for future generations.
Her international leadership continued through her service as Vice President of the International Council of Design, where she helped expand the organization’s global influence and financial sustainability. Most notably, she spearheaded the creation of an innovative partnership initiative that now generates approximately half of the organization’s revenue while strengthening relationships throughout the international design community. Working alongside global stakeholders, Yanique has consistently demonstrated the ability to unite creative vision with sound governance, collaborative leadership, and long-term organizational strategy.
Yanique’s influence also extends into education, mentorship, and professional development. She has served as a guest lecturer on branding, hospitality marketing, entertainment management, facilities management, and trade show strategy at Johnson & Wales University while speaking publicly on brand development for startups and strategies for increasing direct bookings within the hospitality sector. Her thought leadership has also been featured in Black Enterprise and other professional publications, reflecting her growing reputation as a trusted authority on brand development, experiential marketing, and business growth. Whether presenting to entrepreneurs, hospitality executives, or creative professionals, she is passionate about equipping others with practical strategies that translate vision into meaningful results.
Academically, Yanique earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Fine Arts in Media Design from Full Sail University, complementing her creative foundation with advanced expertise in design strategy and digital communication. She has further expanded her professional qualifications through certifications in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Data Analytics, TESOL instruction, user experience design, and community association management. Her broad educational background reflects a commitment to continuous learning and an understanding that exceptional leadership requires both creative innovation and operational discipline.
Outside of her executive responsibilities, Yanique remains deeply engaged in service, creativity, and community leadership. She serves on the Creative Advisory Board for the Copyright Alliance and has volunteered in youth leadership and civil rights initiatives throughout her career. She is also an accomplished painter who enjoys skating and bicycling, pursuits that reflect her appreciation for creativity, wellness, and lifelong personal growth. Whether leading organizations, mentoring entrepreneurs, advising boards, or building unforgettable brand experiences, Yanique consistently demonstrates that disciplined execution, authentic leadership, and strategic creativity are the foundations of enduring success.
Character:
Yanique leads with integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to helping organizations and people realize their full potential. Her dedication to service, mentorship, and collaborative leadership has earned the trust of executive teams, governing boards, clients, and creative professionals around the world.
Knowledge:
She possesses an exceptional combination of expertise in branding, hospitality operations, business development, marketing, governance, and organizational leadership. Her multidisciplinary perspective enables her to connect creative strategy with operational excellence and measurable business outcomes.
Strategic:
Yanique consistently develops long-term strategies that strengthen organizational performance while creating memorable customer experiences and sustainable revenue growth. She excels at aligning vision, execution, financial stewardship, and stakeholder engagement to position organizations for lasting success.
Communication:
An accomplished public speaker, educator, and executive advisor, Yanique communicates complex ideas with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Her ability to inspire collaboration while building meaningful relationships has made her an influential leader across corporate, nonprofit, and international organizations.
