Elaine Sanford is president of Young-Sanford Marketing & Media Services (Young-Sanford Associates). She is a marketing and public relations professional with more than 25 years of experience. Her background is unique and varied. In her first career, Elaine worked as a broadcast journalist for CBS affiliate TV stations for more than 12 years. In 1986, she began a career in healthcare marketing management. Three years later, in 1989, she launched Young-Sanford Associates offering public relations, media relations and special events planning support to a diverse clientele.

The Young-Sanford Agency was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where Elaine developed the passion for entrepreneurship. In 1992, she became president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and began to assist other women who wanted to launch their own business enterprises. Elaine later served on a national advocacy committee of NAWBO to improve assist in passing legislation to allow women entrepreneurs greater access to government contracts.

After returning to Memphis in 1994, Elaine worked with several prominent women entrepreneurs to found the Greater Memphis Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. She served as its founding president for three years. Elaine has been recognized for her staunch and continued support of women entrepreneurs.

In 1996, Elaine launched Her Business News, a newspaper spotlighting women in business and professional women in response to the concern that women entrepreneurs in general, and minority women entrepreneurs were not represented adequately in area newspapers. She also launched HERnews.com and the Iris Awards - both emphasizing the value and contributions of women entrepreneurs and professional women in the City of Memphis.

Elaine is well known in many circles in the City of Memphis. She is active in civic and community affairs and supportive of numerous outreach efforts which benefit women and children. Go back to Our Team ª