This monthly series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at A Day in the Life of a Comms Professional.
Meet Mutanu Gitari, a seasoned communications professional with over two decades of experience. She is the Founder of Brand Spark PR, a Kenyan public relations company established ten years ago. From early morning podcasts to late-night reflections, Mutanu approaches her work with empathy, intention, and just the right touch of spontaneity. Outside of work, she is a mentor, a TEDx speaker, and a past President of the Anchored Toastmasters Club, a global leadership and personal development movement.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Meetings. Lots of them. On most days, I have at least five meetings, ranging from one-on-one check-ins with team members to client calls. I’m an audio learner, so I love to talk through ideas. I internalise better when I hear things said out loud, so conversations are key to how I process, plan, and collaborate.
My day usually starts at 6:30 AM. My husband and I take our twin teenage sons to school (yes, I’m a proud mum of twins!). From there, we often head to the gym, usually while listening to a podcast, typically How I Built This by Guy Raz, which features stories from global founders and business leaders.
We work together, so the ride to the office doubles as a strategy session or podcast discussion. Once we arrive at our co-working space, the rest of the day unfolds with more meetings, follow-ups, report writing, and the occasional walk in the sun for some 10 am Vitamin D.
It’s a full day, but filled with energy, both from the work and the people around us.
Do you have any specific routines or habits that help you prepare for work?
Unlike most people, my prep happens at night. I’m a night owl, so in the evenings, I journal, reflect on five things I’m grateful for, and think about what I’d like to do differently the next day. I also plan for the day ahead and study scripture. That’s my quiet time.
In the mornings, the habit is lighter. I usually listen to a podcast with my husband as we drive to work. How I Built This by Guy Raz is our go-to. It gives us something stimulating to reflect on together, and often sparks conversations about leadership, lessons, and growth
What tools or apps do you use most often in your job, and why?
- ChatGPT: I use it a lot. It’s my go-to for brainstorming, refining thoughts, and writing clearly. I don’t understand how people are surviving without AI right now.
- Microsoft Teams: Perfect for client and team collaboration, especially when tracking conversations and sharing documents.
- Google Docs: For drafting and working on shared files.
- To-do lists: I’ve tried Notion, but I’m a pen-and-paper girl. Writing things down clears my head.
I also adapt to client tools like Slack when necessary, but the above are my everyday staples.
If you weren’t working in Communications, what career path would you explore?
I had three career dreams:
- Pharmacist – I wanted to solve real medical problems. Why do women still suffer from period pains in 2025?!
- Psychologist – Helping people understand themselves deeply has always appealed to me.
- Lecturer – This is still my dream. Teaching, for me, is one of the purest forms of giving back. Being able to take a concept and help someone else understand and use it to transform their life. That’s powerful.
So yes, if I weren’t in comms, I’d be teaching, probably at a university
What’s your favorite way to relax after work?
There’s the “real” way and the “ideal” way.
The real way – I binge-watch K-dramas. I love the storytelling, the emotional build-up, and the innocence of it all. Characters don’t even hold hands until episode 16, it’s a beautiful slow burn.
The ideal way – Quiet, offline time. Once a month, I walk in Karura Forest here in Nairobi. No phone, no radio, no kid.
