Recognized Crisis Communications Leaders 2025

For over 30 years, Jim has been a change agent in the nonprofit and public sectors. Just recently, he finished his 7th interim executive position. Jim was the Interim CEO of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a visual and performing arts center in the heart of the cultural and convention district of San Francisco. There, he helped reduce a projected $4M deficit to $600k surplus and built back trust with the staff after a major public relations crisis. Previously, Jim was the Interim CEO of Downtown Streets Team, a nonprofit rated as one of California’s top five evidence-based best practices in transitioning the homeless to self-sufficiency. Over 18 months, he turned an $800,000 deficit into a $500,000 surplus while also paying off a third of their debt. Previously, he served as the interim executive director of five other nonprofits. His additional positions include acting as the Chief Communications Officer for the American Red Cross in Colorado, the interim Chief Operating Officer for More than Me (an international nonprofit for girls in Africa), and the Chief External Relations Officer for the Minnesota Zoo. In addition to his nonprofit work, Jim is passionate about good government. Jim was the VP of Strategy at CivicMakers, a San Francisco government innovation consultancy. There, he co-facilitated a three year strategic roadmap for the City of Hayward and designed process improvements for over 40 internal procedures for the City of Berkeley. As a 2014 Humphrey School Policy Fellow, 2013 White House Innovation Fellow finalist, and winner of the 2012 Minnesota Idea Open, he has been recognized for excellence within the public sector. Jim holds a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Pennsylvania.

I’m Cristy Verdeja Zaldívar—a strategic communications and marketing leader with over 15 years of experience transforming how brands connect, grow, and lead. As CEO of Pointe Connect, I consult for companies across industries—from nimble startups to global Fortune 500s—offering high-level strategy rooted in clarity, creativity, and results. I specialize in diagnosing challenges, crafting messaging that resonates, and building marketing and communications frameworks that drive real business impact. Known for my sharp instincts and innovative thinking, I’m the person teams call when they need to elevate their brand, reset their approach, or navigate complexity with confidence. My expertise spans corporate communications, PR, digital strategy, crisis and issues management, and multicultural marketing. I’ve advised industry giants, led global campaigns, and built cross-functional teams that deliver. I’m a bilingual storyteller (English/Spanish + conversational French) with a global mindset and a deep belief in the power of connection. Whether I’m guiding an executive team or rolling up my sleeves with a small business owner, I bring vision, structure, and momentum to every engagement.

Scott Cohen is a CEO at InboxArmy, a full-service email marketing agency. He's also an award-winning email marketing veteran with 20 years of marketing experience and renowned expertise in email marketing strategy and content marketing. Apart from that, Scott hosts his own email marketing podcast featuring other industry experts.

Nancy J. Capistran, PCC, is a nationally recognized Executive Coach, Vistage Chair, and Board Director with a reputation for elevating leaders and organizations in complex, high-stakes environments. As Founder and CEO of Capistran Leadership, Nancy partners with senior executives and boards to accelerate growth, sharpen decision-making, and drive results with clarity, agility, and impact. Nancy’s background spans executive leadership coaching, culture transformation, strategic planning, risk and crisis advising, and organizational performance. With a keen understanding of the pressures facing today’s leaders, Nancy brings practical, actionable insights that help organizations strengthen culture, boost engagement, and achieve sustainable growth. Boardroom experience adds trusted guidance in governance, risk management, and strategic alignment, ensuring organizations are positioned to navigate change, mitigate risk, and seize new opportunities. As a Vistage Chair, Nancy facilitates high-performing peer advisory groups for CEOs and business owners, challenging leaders to broaden their perspectives, confront critical issues, and achieve breakthrough outcomes. The facilitation style is direct, results-oriented, and grounded in real-world business acumen, making Nancy a sought-after resource for leaders who want to think bigger and move faster. Nancy’s work has earned multiple “Best Executive Coach” awards and has featured insights in major media outlets. Known for the ability to reframe complex challenges, spark innovation, and unlock untapped leadership potential, Nancy is frequently called upon to advise on leadership strategy, board effectiveness, and organizational resilience. Proprietary frameworks and a candid, straightforward approach help executives and teams cut through noise, focus on what matters most, and deliver measurable results. Clients describe Nancy as a trusted sounding board and catalyst for positive change—someone who challenges assumptions, fosters accountability, and inspires leaders to reach new heights. Whether guiding a Board through strategic pivots or coaching a CEO through high-pressure decisions, Nancy brings clarity, composure, and a relentless focus on excellence. For actionable insights on leadership, Board governance, or organizational transformation, Nancy Capistran delivers clear, candid advice that empowers executives and teams to thrive. Connect directly at nancy@capistranleadership.com.

Joanna is the Head of Consumer Research and Marketing at PissedConsumer.com, an online reviews and reputation platform. She has been in marketing for more than 18 years and have analyzed consumer behavior and experiences. Using this knowledge, Joanna shares advice on how businesses can build strong relationships with customers and achieve customer satisfaction. She also researches the latest consumer trends and provides actionable tips on how consumers can avoid issues and make informed purchase decisions.

From global newsrooms to celebrity green rooms, I’ve spent over 20 years turning bold ideas and expert voices into stories that resonate. My journey began in journalism, reporting for CNN, NBC and Euronews, where I interviewed world leaders, artists, change makers and entrepreneurs. I later stepped into the world of PR, leading purpose-driven campaigns with iconic figures like Jane Goodall, Dame Judi Dench, and Ricky Gervais, landing headlines and interviews in the BBC, CNN, Reuters, ABC, Newsweek, ITV, and beyond. I’ve written across every format and platform: from news tickers to press releases, video scripts to public speeches. Whether for a major broadcaster or a personal brand, my work helps voices cut through the noise and connect with audiences that matter. Today, I use that experience to help thought leaders, experts and businesses craft their message, shape their public-facing profiles, and connect with global media. Whether you're shaping a brand, sharing a mission, or finding your voice, I’m here to turn your story into something bold, original, and unforgettable.

Please remember that I'm not the expert in your life or work--you are. The nutshell: I'm an Anti-Burnout Coach, a Certified Career Coach, a Cross-Cultural Communication Coach, and an Executive Leadership Coach. I'm a farming village-born (Poland), city-raised (Brooklyn, NY, USA), and suburb-based (White Plains, NY, USA) coach who helps professionals get out of their own way, overcome excuses and fears, build out their skill sets, and thrive at work. Each client is different, because every situation is unique. Some clients come to me to polish their speaking skills, or overcome imposter syndrome and boost their confidence, or navigate challenging conversations with diverse stakeholders (peers, direct reports, bosses, clients, vendors--and beyond). As a former HR Learning & Development professional turned coach, my work focuses largely on developing empathetic-yet-assertive communication skills, building confidence and thoughtful leadership in the workplace, and career development. I have worked with clients on virtually all seven continents (minor caveat with Antarctica: my client was there briefly during our engagement, so I'm counting that), and I have had the pleasure of supporting professionals in nearly every industry imaginable (700+ clients). As an avid traveler I've had the great privilege of breaking bread with people in 36 countries, and that reminds me of how epic and diverse--and yet how small and similar--the world truly is.

I’m Daniel (He/Him), and I’m the Founder of The Courage Collective. My experience includes work in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Tech, Consulting, Education, and the Nonprofit Sector. I care deeply about humanizing the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion conversation, bringing impactful ideas to life, and creating meaningful, memorable, and transformational experiences with & for others.

Daniel Lynch is a versatile entrepreneur and digital marketing expert based in St. Petersburg, Florida. As the founder and president of Empathy First Media, a full-service digital marketing agency, he combines his engineering background with innovative AI-driven strategies to help businesses achieve exceptional growth. With a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, Daniel leverages his analytical mindset to solve complex marketing challenges. His entrepreneurial journey includes founding several successful ventures, including Medical Bill Gurus, which helps patients navigate the complexities of medical billing and insurance reimbursement. Daniel specializes in integrating artificial intelligence into marketing strategies, developing custom AI solutions that revolutionize customer acquisition and engagement. His expertise spans SEO, PPC advertising, public relations, and lead generation, with a proven track record of scaling businesses from concept to multi-million dollar enterprises. A passionate advocate for empathy in business, Daniel's approach combines cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of human behavior. His experience and expertise make him a compelling speaker on topics including AI integration, digital marketing innovation, and entrepreneurial success through perseverance.

Scientist turned media strategist. Websites: JCSStrategies.com (Media Strategy, Branding & Public Relations) DrJordanSchaul.com (Zoology & Veterinary Science) AnimalTrainerDude.com (Animal Training/Behavior Consulting) ScapegoatStrength (Psychology & Social Science) Profiles: muckrack.com/jordanschaul (Muck Rack Profile) imdb.com/name/nm4721849/ (IMDb Profile)

Marlene Chism works with executive leaders to build drama-free cultures that drive growth and reduce costly mistakes. An expert in conflict management, Marlene is known for getting to the root problem, simplifying the complex and increasing leadership clarity. As a coach, Marlene works with decision-makers, offering frameworks and tools to navigate complex conversations and increase accountability. As a seasoned facilitator and dynamic speaker, she brings executives and managers together to uncover blind spots, address the elephant in the room, and strengthen alignment. A recognized expert on the LinkedIn Learning platform, Marlene has produced six educational video series on high-stakes topics such as working with high conflict people, having difficult conversations, and anger management. She’s the author of four commercially published books. Her latest, From Conflict to Courage was nominated for an international award from GetAbstract. Marlene holds a bachelor’s in communications with a minor in psychology, and a master’s in human resources development. She’s an enhanced practitioner in Narrative Coaching.

As the Founder, Marketing Ops, and Chief Strategist (SEO, Content, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing) of SEOSiri, Momenul Ahmad's responsibilities would typically encompass a wide range, blending strategic leadership with hands-on expertise, especially in a specialized field like SEO and copywriting. Here's a breakdown of likely responsibilities: Strategic Direction & Vision: Setting the overall vision, mission, and long-term goals for SEOSiri. Defining the company's market position, target audience, and unique value proposition. Staying ahead of industry trends, algorithm updates, and technological shifts (like AI's impact on SEO) to adapt the company's strategy accordingly. Identifying new service offerings or content directions. Core SEO Expertise & Thought Leadership: Serving as the primary SEO expert and strategist within the company. Developing and refining SEOSiri's proprietary methodologies and best practices. Leading research and development efforts to stay at the forefront of SEO techniques. Creating high-level, thought-provoking, and compelling content (blog posts, videos, guides, case studies) to establish thought leadership and attract clients/audience. Potentially overseeing the strategic direction of key client accounts. “Marketing matters as much as relevancy. Where relevancy is important, marketing becomes a complex matter.” -Momenul Ahmad Luckily, I am here to help you overcome your marketing barriers. Let’s collaborate to outperform your competitors and elevate your business to the next level. I solve your issues with SEO, Web Design and Development, SEO Content Writing, SEO Writing, SEO Rewriting, SEO Copywriting (Compelling Copy), eCommerce Copywriting, Blog Writing, Article Writing, SEO-optimized web Content/Blog Posts, Content Marketing, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Quora Marketing, LinkedIn Marketing, and Digital Branding. DM me to get your issues solved strategically and ethically. Know me more: https://www.seosiri.com/p/about.html https://x.com/seofixup/bio Contact: https://wa.me/+8801969108649