Top Crisis Management Consulting Experts 2025

An impassioned Career Transition Coach who spent more than 20 years working in the recruitment industry and now dedicates my focus on helping my clients navigate important career decisions. When it comes to a person’s career, everyone has a unique need or challenge, therefore, I design a bespoke solution around my clients need, applying an approach that maybe a blend of advisor, consultant, coach, and or mentor. I have collaborated with clients across all industries and job levels, from youth to graduates to executive level, providing 1:1 Career Coaching, Outplacement Support and Career Skills Development workshops. My focus is to collaborate with my clients across the following key areas: Discover, develop a plan and guide on how to execute one’s plan, imparting knowledge, providing practical advice and the necessary tools to assist in aligning to the market expectations, making the individual aware of what to expect and how to prepare for the necessary career transition. “Helping one person might not change the world, but it can change the world for one person”. This quote resonates firmly within my values, where I strive to make a positive difference everywhere possible. In addition to running Career Management Consultancy, in January 2024 I was appointed as an International Career and Transition Coach for Africa, for IMPACT Group a global coaching firm providing relocation, outplacement and leadership development programmes, where I provide career consulting to relocating spouses as well as cross-cultural and integration/transition coaching for employees and their families.

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.

I am a management and technical consultant with over 10 years of experience in delivering successful outcomes for my renowned clients (including Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Meggitt, Quest Global and Siemens Energy). My areas of expertise include complex project and programme management in aerospace, manufacturing, engineering and energy industries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I am a seasoned mental health and addiction specialist, dedicated to the field of treatment and recovery since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and I am credentialed as both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the years, I've gained hands-on experience in various areas, including psychiatric acute stabilization, psychiatric partial hospitalization, and both in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment. My journey has taken me through clinical counseling, program development, and organizational leadership. Before joining New Waters, I served as the Clinical Director at Gupta Psychiatry and Wellness in Raleigh, NC, where I helped shape a respected substance abuse partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of quality clinical programming and its impact on long-term sobriety. With a compassionate approach, I am committed to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, guiding them toward a life free from addiction.

With over two decades of experience as an International Protective and Intelligence Specialist, Denida Grow has cultivated a wealth of expertise across various countries and cultures. In 2002, she founded Athena Worldwide & Athena Academy in Greece, a pioneering training and placement company exclusively dedicated to female security professionals. Her vision was to establish a nurturing and empowering environment where women could receive comprehensive guidance in essential areas such as soft skills, protective intelligence, covert protective details, and conflict management. Inspired by the ancient Greek goddess Athena, Denida’s focus was to teach her students to “protect through wisdom and intelligence.” Expanding her portfolio in 2008, she introduced Nannyguards, a groundbreaking hybrid service merging childcare with protective services. Throughout her career, Denida has assumed numerous leadership roles including Executive Protection Operative (both Covert and Overt), Security Consultant, Intelligence Analyst, Instructor, Investigator, and Project Manager. Her clientele has spanned the globe, with work experience in countries such as India, Greece, France, Italy, Albania, and the USA. Holding a BSc in Counseling and Psychology from Teesside University, Denida has received training in various Executive Protection methodologies from esteemed British, American, and Israeli organizations. Over the past decade, she has honed her focus on Protective Intelligence, Intelligence Analysis, and Open-Source Intelligence. Currently serving as the managing partner for LeMareschal LLC, an International Risk Management, Protective Intelligence, and Logistics company headquartered in Seattle, WA, Denida continues to drive innovation and excellence in the field. Fluent in Albanian, Greek, and English, she remains deeply committed to delivering bespoke security solutions and training programs to individuals and organizations worldwide.

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 entered the field of recovery as a drug and alcohol counselor, driven by a deep understanding of the importance of treatment and a newfound sense of purpose. This calling led me to make a career change that I approach with immense gratitude. Over time, I transitioned into the role of Director at Serenity Services, and I now serve as the CEO of Ascendant NY. My journey, shaped by both personal and professional experiences, fuels my commitment to providing treatment with humility, compassion, and dignity. As a leader, I work closely with my team to evolve the traditional culture of detox facilities, striving to fill the gaps where treatment often falls short. I’m dedicated to creating individualized, client-centered care, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels seen, valued, and supported.

SEO consultant helping B2B and SaaS companies grow from 6 to 8 figures with strategic SEO, AI optimization and content marketing. I specialize in driving qualified traffic, building authority, and turning organic search into a scalable growth channel.

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.