Alissa Khan-Whelan

CEO and Founder

Alissa Khan-Whelan is the Founder and CEO of Happy Yolk, a creative agency that specialises in strategic social content and storytelling for brands. She leads with the belief that mentorship can be life changing and has created an organisation where confidence, clarity and development are central to the culture.

Her commitment to mentorship is shaped by her early experiences. Losing her father, her greatest source of encouragement, at a young age taught her the power of belief and guidance. Early in her career she also encountered leadership that did not nurture potential. These moments defined the type of leader she wanted to become and strengthened her conviction that people thrive when supported with trust and psychological safety. Alissa’s mentorship model blends structure with emotional intelligence. Each team member receives personalised development plans, regular one to one guidance and opportunities to take meaningful ownership early in their career. Her team repeatedly describes her mentorship as life changing, noting significant growth in confidence and capability. One colleague shared, “Working with Alissa changed how I see myself professionally.” Her achievements include co creating the most liked post in Instagram history, an experience that deepened her understanding of culture and now informs the way she guides emerging talent. She contributes to the wider industry as a judge for The Drum Awards 2025 and through ongoing support for creators and founders. Alissa represents a modern, human centred approach to leadership that elevates people, strengthens careers and creates lasting positive change.