Jack Modzelewski

Jack Modzelewski is a business communications executive with extensive experience in leadership, public relations, and crisis management. His career encompasses advertising, journalism, marketing, public relations, public affairs, campaigns, and corporate communications. Earlier in his career, Modzelewski worked as a journalist covering government and general news and hosted a weekly public affairs radio program. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

Modzelewski has held executive management roles with global agencies, including serving as president of FleishmanHillard, where he spent more than 26 years in executive and international positions. His responsibilities included five years as president of Europe & Africa and nearly five as president of the Americas. During his tenure, FleishmanHillard's offices in EMEA experienced significant revenue growth and expanded capabilities. Modzelewski has more than 35 years of experience in corporate and brand communications for clients in telecommunications, automotive, food service, technology, energy, financial, healthcare, and professional sports industries, working with companies such as McDonald's, AT&T, General Motors, Chase Bank, Baxter, Tribune, Monsanto, and Procter & Gamble.

He is founder and chief executive of JackKnifePR, a business communications consulting firm providing advisory services to corporations, financial and legal firms, start-ups, large nonprofit organizations, and governments. Modzelewski has managed communications projects in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, South America, and has worked with clients in Asia.

Modzelewski is the author of "Talk Is Chief: Leadership, Communication & Credibility in a High-Stakes World," a guide for executives navigating the demands of leadership communication, crisis management, and organizational reputation. The book offers strategies, examples, and a "Ten Commandments of Crisis Management" to help leaders address and manage crises effectively.

Modzelewski has attended five World Economic Forums in Davos, Switzerland, and has spoken at WEF conferences on four continents. He has been listed on PRWeek's Global Power List and was inducted into the Medill Hall of Achievement at Northwestern University. Modzelewski serves as board chairman of the Better Government Association and is a member of the Medill School of Journalism's board of advisers. His background in journalism, global executive leadership, and communications consulting provides a foundation for his work in business communications, crisis management, and leadership strategy.