From Burnout to Buy-In: Advice for Social Media Managers in 2026 with Kate Meyers Emery

Social media success isn’t just about posting content and hoping for the best. It's about strategy, audience insight, and internal advocacy.

This was originally a live conversation on LinkedIn. 

Listen in to my conversation with Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D., Senior Digital Comms Manager at Candid and one of the most insightful voices speaking up about what social media professionals really need to succeed. 

Kate shares why social media needs to be seen as an organization-wide responsibility, how SMMs can elevate their role beyond “just posting,” and what nonprofits must do to ensure these roles are sustainable and strategic going into 2026.

In this episode, we cover: 

• Why social media is a team sport, even if you're the only one on the field
• How to advocate for your work and educate others about its value
• Strategies to build a culture of content collaboration across departments
• What systems and tools need to evolve for long-term sustainability
• What’s ahead in 2026: predictions and priorities for social media teams

About Kate: 

With over 14 years of experience, Kate Meyers Emery, Ph.D., has proven track record of using experimentation, data, and creativity to transform complex stories into simple yet compelling content on social media, web, email, and other digital platforms. She is a data nerd who uses her depth of industry knowledge, natural curiosity, and background in anthropology to create innovative, inclusive, and human-centered stories in digital spaces.  

Kate has worked with nonprofits, museums, and universities to engage and educate. She is currently the senior digital communications manager at Candid, where she leads the strategy, content production, and analysis of organic social media. 

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meyersemery/ 

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