In the cabinet-level position of vice president for enterprise marketing and communications, Grant J. Heston leads the multiple departments responsible for branding, communications and marketing for VCU and VCU Health.

Before joining VCU in 2021, Grant spent 12 years at the University of Central Florida as vice president for Communications and Marketing and Chief of Staff. Heston earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Florida, a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, and also studied in the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. However, Grant credits his experience as a volunteer Little League baseball and softball coach for his most valuable leadership lessons.

As associate vice president of Brand Marketing, Kevin D. Best leads the creative, digital, video and media teams for VCU. In this role, Kevin shapes creative marketing content that elevates VCU's brand prominence.

Prior to joining VCU in 2021, Kevin led advertising and visual identity for the National Basketball Association, served as Brand Manager for State Farm Insurance, and spent over 20 years in the ad agency business leading national brands. Kevin earned his master's degree in communications from VCU and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia.

Director for strategic initiatives
cscoy@vcu.edu 

As director for strategic initiatives, Camille Coy leads the division’s efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, as well as heads the administration department. In her role, she helps implement strategies that positively impact the way EMC works and how the division connects with both its internal and external stakeholder groups. 

Camille has been with the division since 2016 and has a decades-long career as a communications professional. A graduate of UVA and VCU, she has a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in business administration.

As executive director of executive communications, Chelyen Davis leads strategic messaging and communications for the president, guiding and amplifying the president’s voice and role as chief storyteller, and identifying and pursuing opportunities to tell VCU’s story on a national stage. 

Chelyen came to VCU after serving in two gubernatorial administrations, including four years as Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s deputy communications director and speechwriter. She worked as a newspaper journalist for 17 years. Chelyen received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and is a native of Southwest Virginia.

As the director of VCU Health Enterprise Communications, Carissa D. Etters leads a team responsible for the development and execution of executive and internal communications, including strategic communications planning for enterprise-wide initiatives.

Carissa is a 20+-year veteran of the communications profession with a career that started in broadcast journalism. She first moved into health care communications in eastern North Carolina with a focus on media relations and internal communications. Carissa joined VCU in 2014. She earned a bachelor of science degree from East Carolina University, in Greenville, N.C.