Kathryn Kolaczek

Cohort 3

Cohort 1

Cohort 2

This toolkit is designed for communications leads and senior leaders preparing to communicate significant funding changes to staff, stakeholders, and the public. Work through each section in order, or jump to the checklist most relevant to your current stage.

Crisis Communications Toolkit

When uncertainty hits, trust is your strongest asset. Download this practical workbook to build thought leadership in crisis communications—before, during, and after the headlines. Learn the Trust Triangle (competence, character, consistency), study Jacinda Ardern’s calm, empathetic COVID-19 approach, and plug in ready-to-use tables for stakeholders, message goals, tone, channels, spokespersons, and a 6-month reputation rebuild plan—plus ethical AI prompts to test tone fast. Ideal for comms leads and executives who need clarity, speed, and credibility!

Thought Leadership in Crisis Communications 

This toolkit is designed to help you show up calm, clear, and credible—whether you’re preparing for a planned media interview or responding to a fast‑moving issue under pressure. It’s a practical “grab‑and‑go” resource packed with templates for interviews, crisis response, and message discipline, including prep checklists, setup tips, follow‑up steps, a crisis timeline, stakeholder priorities, ready statements, and strategies to stay factual, people‑first, and on‑message.

Media Toolkit

A step-by-step guide for leaders toassemble, assess, acknowledge,and act on a communications crisis within the first 60 minutes.

First Hour: Crisis Checklist

This guide, From Chaos to Clarity, provides a step-by-step frameworkto help leaders and communications professionals prepare. You’lllearn how to classify crises, build a response team, and apply lessonsfrom real-world case studies. Most importantly, you’ll see how thesetools fit together to form a complete crisis communications plan — aplan you can start building today.

From Chaos to Clarity

Executives and senior leaders who set strategy, lead teams, and drive organizational outcomes.

Marketers who drive brand awareness, customer acquisition, and growth across channels.

Executive communication — presenting to boards, writing memos, running all-hands, and high-stakes messaging.

Developing leadership skills — inspiring teams, building culture, navigating organizational complexity, and driving results through others.

Setting strategic direction, making high-stakes decisions, and translating vision into execution.

Learn to lead with clarity under pressure. Build a crisis plan, craft first-hour messages, and protect your organization’s reputation.

Crisis Communications Strategist

Crisis strategist teaching you to lead with clarity, control, and confidence.

Fundamentals of Crisis Communications

Senior Manager, Communications

Public Engagement Coordinator 

Editorial Manager

Building and managing brand identity, brand strategy, and brand perception in the market.

Transform from anxious or unsure to confident, clear, and in control in every media interaction.

Media Training 101

Sr. Manager, Communications 

Communications Manager

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Communications Coordinator

Communications and Engagement Officer

Students will leave this course with the confidence and practical skills to navigate any crisis with clarity and control. They’ll master the core fundamentals of crisis communications—from recognizing early warning signs and managing stakeholder expectations to crafting timely, credible messages and guiding recovery with integrity. By the end, students will not only understand how to respond under pressure but how to lead with calm, credibility, and purpose.

Master the Fundamentals of Crisis Communications with Confidence and Clarity

Spot risks before they become crises

Build a crisis-ready plan (and team)

Write under pressure with confidence

Align messages across stakeholders

Handle media moments like a pro

Run response drills and improve fast

PR or marketing pro seeking a clear, proven framework to lead crisis response with confidence.

Community-focused leader needing tools to protect trust and guide transparent crisis response.

Senior leader aiming to protect reputation and lead teams calmly through high-stakes crises.

By the end of the course, students will transform how they show up in every media interaction — moving from uncertainty to confidence. They’ll learn how to craft clear, compelling key messages, anticipate tough questions, and stay calm under pressure. Through practical exercises, mock interviews, and feedback, they’ll build the skills to represent their brand authentically and with impact. Ultimately, they’ll walk away with a complete media toolkit — ready to handle interviews, press opportunities, and public statements with clarity, composure, and credibility.

Gain confidence, clarity, and control in every media interview and message.

Confident Media Presence

Clear, Impactful Messaging

Control Under Pressure

Ready-to-Use Media Toolkit

Municipal Leaders &amp; Spokespeople – Build confidence handling media on public issues, crises, and community updates.

Nonprofit Executives &amp; Communicators – Strengthen interviews, advocacy, and storytelling to represent your cause with impact.

Corporate Leaders &amp; PR Teams – Master key messages, protect reputation, and deliver confident, credible media responses.

Learn directly from Kathryn Kolaczek

Kathryn Kolaczek

Courses

Fundamentals of Crisis Communications

Media Training 101

Lightning Lessons

Social Media in a Crisis: Speed, Ethics, and Control

AI Governance & Guardrails: Setting Ethical Boundaries

People First: Communicating with Empathy in Crisis

Managing Misinformation During a Crisis

Staying Authentic in the Age of AI

Crisis Communications 101: The First 24 Hours

Resources

Crisis Communications Toolkit

First Hour: Crisis Checklist

From Chaos to Clarity

Media Toolkit