Meet the Minds: Cayci Banks
As VP of Strategy & Communications at 1000 Feathers, Cayci Banks has spent her career helping organizations and communities tell their stories in ways that inspire action. For her, communications isn’t just a profession—it’s a passion she’s cultivated since college. With a degree in communications from Newberry College, a master’s from Queens University, and time spent teaching as an adjunct professor, Cayci has always believed in the power of messaging to connect people and spark change.
That belief is what drives her work today. Whether leading strategy sessions, crafting messaging guides, or designing materials that bring data to life, Cayci thrives at the intersection of strategy and storytelling. “It’s nearly impossible to make transformational change without the right messaging,” she explains. “Building a movement requires consistent communication, shared language, and words that truly motivate people to act.” One example includes working alongside the United Way of Waco-McLennan County in Texas to produce Are the Children Well? The partnership began as a research study to support the improvement of well-being for McLennan County’s children and families and ended with a polished, widely-shared report—an effort that showcased not only the importance of information, but the power of presentation.
Cayci often reminds clients that at the end of the day, we are all a collection of stories. How we tell those stories can motivate, educate, and inspire others to action. She has helped organizations bring that idea to life by creating influencer action kits, marketing plans, and communications strategies that give boards, staff, and community members the tools to speak the same language. These resources ensure that important work doesn’t stay a “best kept secret,” but instead reaches the right people with the right message at the right time.
Outside of work, Cayci is fueled by family life in Chapin, SC. Together with her husband, Charlie, she’s raising four kids: Lucas (15), McLane (12), and twins Annie and Mary Georgia (9). Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines of a soccer or lacrosse field, sitting courtside at a tennis match, or helping with homework at the dinner table, Cayci proudly calls herself their biggest fan. When it’s time to unwind, she loves sunshine, lake life, and boat rides that remind her to slow down and recharge. And for fun? She’s fully embraced pickleball—trading in her college tennis racket for a paddle and a new obsession.
Looking ahead, Cayci is excited about the future of 1000 Feathers. “Our team is strong, our focus is clear, and our clients remain the heart of this firm. They’re the reason we do what we do, and I can’t wait to see what the next nine years will bring.”
