Navigating Crisis in a Divided and Disrupted World: Strategic Communications at the Crossroads of Culture, Chaos, and Commerce

In an era where public trust is fractured, markets swing unpredictably, and the cultural landscape is increasingly polarized, the stakes for getting crisis communication right have never been higher.

This session explores how organizations can remain calm in the chaos—crafting messages that resonate across divided audiences, making ethical decisions under pressure, and protecting long-term reputation while navigating short-term storms.

What You’ll Learn:
● How to assess the real risks: social, political, financial, and reputational
● Navigating cultural flashpoints—what to say, when to say it, and what silence signals
● Building internal alignment when your workforce is divided on core issues
● Strategies for inoculating your brand against future backlash
● Lessons from recent crises—what worked, what didn’t, and why
● Crafting clear, courageous messages when ambiguity is weaponized

Who Should Attend:
● Communications and PR professionals
● C-suite leaders and crisis teams
● HR and DEI officers
● Educators, nonprofit leaders, and government officials
● Anyone tasked with protecting trust, truth, and reputation under pressure

BONUS: All attendees will be eligible for a random drawing during the event to win a $1095 discount towards any of our Rutgers Continuing and Professional Studies certificate programs.

Presenters include:

• Michael Cherenson, APR - A 30+ year veteran of the public relations industry, Michael has counseled hundreds of organizations, helping them navigate and thrive in complex environments. The author of three studies on the impact of reputation, Cherenson is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and is a member of the latter’s prestigious College of Fellows.  
• Brian Grace - Brian is a seasoned communications strategist and former Chief Communications Officer of Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company. He has led corporate, internal, and crisis communications for some of the most recognized brands in financial services and insurance, with additional experience in aerospace and defense, as well as retail. Brian now advises organizations, executive teams, and boards on reputation strategy, change management, and stakeholder trust.
• Julie Johnson, Ed.D. - Julie has 30+ years of professional development and continuing education experience within higher education, international non-profit organizations, and public education. She is currently the Director of Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS) and participates in the campus and university continuing education and micro-credentials bodies. As the Director of CPS, Johnson leads all continuing education, non-degree, micro-credentialing programming, and educational outreach of the Rutgers School of Communication and Information.
• Michael Lauer - With more than two decades of diverse PR and communications experience, Michael partners with healthcare organizations at all stages to increase brand recognition, develop compelling content, and engage key stakeholders. His knowledge spans medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and consumer healthcare. Notably, Michael spent several years as part of Johnson & Johnson’s Global Corporate Affairs team. In this role, he supported the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to drive awareness of the company’s global medical safety and epidemiology functions. Michael is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Jersey Chapter and currently serves as an adjunct professor with Rutgers University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Monmouth University and is a PROSCI-certified change management professional.
• Lauren Schulz - Lauren is a seasoned communications leader who excels in guiding organizations through complex situations to exceed their goals. With a robust background in managing teams in high-pressure environments, she aims to inspire individuals to achieve excellence. She has extensive experience in strategic communications, media relations, brand management, and reputation building, and is committed to driving organizational success and resilience. Lauren is currently the head of global communications for CRH, the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect, and improve our world. Lauren previously served as the Associate Vice President and Head of Global Communications at Verizon Business. Prior to joining Verizon, she served as Executive Director at FourBlock, a leading veteran employment nonprofit. Lauren's career began in the United States Marine Corps, where she served for more than two decades and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. She was a strategic communications officer and lead liaison to the Pentagon, managed media relations, commanded a civil affairs team, and directed public affairs for Marine Forces Europe and Africa. Lauren also served for six years as an air support officer, as a team leader and platoon commander throughout South East Asia and the Middle East, led air operations during the Iraq War, served as a battle coordinator in Al Asad, and as a Senior Air Director in Fallujah.