Hello. I'm Tamara Gurbis.
My wheelhouse includes global communications, content strategy and content creation, brand and cause storytelling, and marketing.
Throughout my life, my first name has been a pronunciation puzzle! It's 'tuh-MER-uh' in English, but I localize my name in other languages.
With more than 15 years of experience, I empower mission-driven organizations and companies to elevate their brands, causes, and impact through communication and content strategies, creative and engaging digital content creation, brand storytelling, and multichannel marketing. My work educates, inspires, highlights impact, and raises funds.
Some of my past clients include Tides, SOIL (Haiti), CIDR Pamiga (France), World Without Hate, City of Palo Alto’s Human Relations Commission, DISH, National Geographic, PBS, Associated Press (Israel), Docurama, and Mongrel Media (Canada).
I also gained leading-edge communication and marketing skills while working for Fortune 500 companies, including Cisco, eBay, Intuit, and WhatsApp Research (Meta, Inc.). I apply the best of those valuable insights and knowledge to purpose-driven projects.
I'm also enthusiastic about advocating for causes and driving positive change through public speaking and inspired persuasion. I'm a native English speaker, and I have full professional level (C1) in French, some proficiency (A2) in speaking Russian, and basic skills in Spanish and Portuguese (A1).
Outside of work, I enjoy caring for my 11-pound/5-kilogram Havanese dog, Henry, who even has his own European Union dog passport! I also love traveling, hiking, cooking, dancing, and meeting people from different cultures. I have lived and worked in France, Francophone Canada, Russia, Germany, England, Haiti, Brazil, and Guatemala.
Campfire photo by Tomáš Malík on Unsplash
Professional headshot by Radu Sava
Electronic Age collage by Julien Pacaud
Why is storytelling important?
For millennia, storytelling has been an integral part of human existence and will continue to endure for countless more generations. Above all, stories can bridge the gap between individuals and ideas, fostering a connection that creates a shared reality and inspires people to take meaningful action. Well-crafted stories enable us to connect and empathize with others, enhancing our sense of relatability.
However, exceptional tales have the potential to shape and transform our world. These extraordinary narratives can shape our beliefs, values, and attitudes, thereby contributing to the growth and evolution of our humanity.
Today, the art of storytelling demands a diverse set of skills. Modern storytellers must master the art of copywriting, videography, web design, graphic and art direction, and AI generation - all essential tools in their creative arsenal. Yet, the true magic lies in a creative spark that ignites the narrative and propels it seamlessly toward its conclusion, guided by intelligent decision-making supported by robust data analysis.