Fundamentals of
Crisis Communications

Lead with clarity under pressure

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Learn to lead with confidence & control when it matters most

Build a crisis plan, craft first-hour messages, and protect your organization’s reputation in this 5-week, cohort-based course.

Next Cohort: April 6 - May 10, 2026

Investment: $495 USD

Location: Live on Maven

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ABOUT THE COURSE

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Master the Fundamentals of Crisis Communications with Confidence and Clarity

Students will leave this course with the confidence and practical skills to navigate any crisis with clarity and control.

You’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, you’ll not only understand how to respond under pressure — you’ll know how to lead with calm, credibility, and purpose.

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You’ll Learn How To:

  • Hold a complete, organization-specific crisis communications plan tailored to your structure and risks

  • Activate your team in minutes, not hours — with clearly defined roles and response protocols

  • Use proven templates, checklists, and stakeholder maps to stay organized and effective

  • Build the mindset and leadership presence to step forward as the voice of calm and authority

    • Live Sessions: Learn directly from Kathryn Kolaczek in real-time, interactive workshops

    • Lifetime Access: Revisit recordings and materials anytime you need them

    • Community of Peers: Share insights and stay accountable with other professionals

    • Certificate of Completion: Showcase your new credentials on LinkedIn or with your employer

    • Maven Guarantee: Get a full refund up until halfway through the course

Reserve Your Spot

GUEST SPEAKERS

Learn From Leading Crisis Communicators

Throughout the course, Kathryn welcomes leading experts who’ve managed some of the world’s most complex and high-stakes crises.

Featuring:

  • Greg Trevor

    Former VP for Marketing & Communications, University of Georgia; veteran crisis leader in higher education and public safety.

  • Dustin Sternbeck

    Director of Communications, Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC; recognized voice during national emergencies.

  • Yvonne Anyon

    Vice President, Marketing & Communications, London Drugs. Driving brand relevance, customer trust, and digital innovation.

  • Amanda Coleman

    UK-based crisis consultant and author of Crisis Communication Strategies, expert in post-crisis recovery and resilience.

  • Kate LaVail

    Segment General Manager for PR, Communications, Media, and Government for LexisNexis, developing the next generation of communications insights solutions.

Explore the syllabus 

  • Live Workshop (Monday 9 AM): Defining a Crisis & Mapping Vulnerabilities

    Guest Session (Thursday 10 AM): Yvonne Anyon

    What You’ll Learn

    • What defines a crisis vs. an issue or incident  

    • How misinformation spreads and impacts trust 

    • The psychology of crisis response: stress, rumours, and decision paralysis 

    • Using the four-tier risk classification system (Levels 1–4)  

    • How to map and monitor risks before they escalate 

  • Live Workshop (Monday 9 AM): Building Command Centre Protocols & Ethical Frameworks 

    Guest Session (Thursday 9 AM): Greg Trevor – Lessons from 9/11 

    What You’ll Learn 

    • How to synchronize internal and external messaging  

    • Stakeholder mapping: influence, interest, and communication strategy 

    • Writing internal and external holding statements  

    • Navigating ethical decisions in crisis (transparency, accountability, cultural awareness)  

    • Legal boundaries: defamation, liability, confidentiality 

  • Live Workshop (Monday 9 AM): The First Hour: Speed, Accuracy, and Team Activation 

    Guest Session (Thursday 9 AM): Dustin Sternbeck – Inside the Capitol Crisis (Jan 6, 2021) 

    What You’ll Learn 

    • Activating the crisis communications team and escalation pathways  

    • Real-time media and social monitoring frameworks 

    • Managing misinformation and “curveballs” during a live crisis 

    • Building a message approval workflow under pressure 

    • Media training essentials: sound bites, tone, and hostile Q&A 

  • Live Workshop (Monday 9 AM): Turning Crisis Into Resilience 

    Guest Session (Thursday 9 AM): Amanda Coleman – The Darkest Day 

    What You’ll Learn 

    • Post-crisis debriefing frameworks and recovery planning  

    • Evaluating response effectiveness and lessons learned 

    • Rebuilding stakeholder trust and managing reputation recovery  

    • Embedding resilience into culture and communications planning 

  • Live Session (Monday 9 AM): AI Tools for Predictive Crisis Management & Message Testing 

    Guest Session (Thursday 9 AM): Nelly Miles - Owning the Message When the Spotlight Finds You 

    What You’ll Learn 

    • How to use AI for crisis monitoring, sentiment tracking, and predictive modeling  

    • Designing a full-stack AI workflow for PR response (monitoring → drafting → approval → reporting) 

    • Human oversight and ethics in AI-assisted messaging 

    • Tools overview: Meltwater, CoLoop.ai, Zapier, Teamwork, ChatGPT integration  

WHY THIS COURSE MATTERS

You Don’t Rise to the Occasion — You Fall to Your Preparation.

When the story breaks, your preparation determines your response.

This course gives you the blueprint, confidence, and tools to take control of the narrative, protect your organization, and lead your team through the storm.

Enroll Now

testimonials from our alumni

  • “The guest speakers were phenomenal. They had extraordinary, inspirational stories — and practical strategies — to share.”

    — Lori, communications and engagement officer

  • “Crisis Communications course was exceptionally informative and practical. Kathryn’s sessions were outstanding, clear, strategic, and grounded in real world experience. She has a remarkable ability to break down complex crisis scenarios into actionable steps that feel both manageable and immediately applicable. What truly elevated the course was the depth and diversity of the guest speakers, from a communications professional from 9/11, to another after a school shooting, and beyond. Hearing directly from leaders who have navigated very different types of crises provided invaluable perspective. We were able to see inside a wide range of circumstances and response strategies, which added nuance and credibility that you simply cannot get from theory alone. This course has positioned our team extremely well as we move into a comprehensive review of our own crisis communications plan. We feel more confident, more prepared, and far more strategic in how we think about risk, response, and reputation management. I would highly recommend this program to any organization looking to strengthen its crisis readiness.”

    — Chris, senior manager, communications

  • “This course exceeded my expectations. Kathryn and her team brought an incredible depth of experience and insight. It was clear we were learning from someone who has navigated complex, high-stakes situations and who understands the theory and the nuance of crisis response and communications. The guest speakers were also inspiring -- each one was a seasoned professional who generously shared their perspectives and lessons learned. The deep-dive assignments were what I found particularly valuable. Doing the work pushed me to apply what I was learning and to think critically about response strategy, stakeholder trust, and long-term reputation. I feel more confident and better equipped to lead in moments that truly matter.”

    — Maria, Communications advisor

  • “This is a great course! It was incredibly valuable to hear from so many amazing guest speakers and learn from their unique experiences.”

    — Aysha, Communications lead

  • “This course teaches you a great structure for crisis communications. The assignments are very useful for organizations and require you to consider things you likely haven't considered previously. The guest speakers are wonderful and go over a wide range of case studies. There is an opportunity for questions and help when needed.”

    — Carly, pr & communications manager

instructor

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Kathryn Kolaczek

FOUNDER AND CEO

(She/Her)

in

Meet Kathryn Kolaczek

Founder & CEO, Alchemy Communications

Kathryn Kolaczek is a seasoned crisis strategist and communications leader who has guided organizations through national and international crises — from product recalls and environmental emergencies to workplace fatalities and board governance issues.

She helps brands and leaders find their voice under pressure, build trust with stakeholders, and lead with calm, clarity, and credibility when it matters most.

Get in touch

Join the Next Cohort of Fundamentals of Crisis Communications

Next Cohort: January 12 – February 16, 2026

Investment: $495 USD

Location: Live on Maven

Enroll Now
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