Payal Patel
Payal Patel is a strategic communications professional, crisis + issues management expert, and multilingual media spokesperson. As the founder and principal of Audacity Communications, she lends her expertise to national brands, global nonprofits and public figures, empowering them to turn their greatest crises into invaluable opportunities.
Most recently, Payal worked with the American Library Association—helping the organization navigate and respond to the rise in books bans and censorship in libraries across the nation—and with Walgreens to help roll out a nationwide campaign that supports a creative approach to resolving the mental health crisis among teens. Prior to her consultancy work, Payal spearheaded the marketing and communications department and served as the chief spokesperson for Navy Pier, one of the top-attended destinations in the world. During her tenure, she helped the popular non-profit institution elevate its brand profile, execute award-winning PR campaigns, increase attendance, and diffuse several operational and reputational crises, converting them into favorable outcomes for the organization. As the public relations director for the Chicago-based NFL Players Association, Payal developed and implemented comprehensive communications strategies for key events and community outreach initiatives. Payal has also led marketing and communications efforts for several other professional sports organizations, following a brief career in journalism.
In 2020, Payal was named to the PR NEWS Top Women in PR list and internationally recognized for her work in crisis management. In 2016, she was honored at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. as part of the 30 Under 30 list, celebrating the industry’s rising stars. A passionate advocate for girls’ education and gender equality, Payal devoutly supports philanthropic efforts for Room to Read and Dress for Success. In addition, she has served on the boards for the Publicity Club of Chicago, Public Relations Society of America, Women in Sports and Events, and UN Women. Payal has also served as a UNA-USA Chicago Global Goals Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and in 2024, she was selected to the UNA-USA delegation for the 68th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters.
Payal holds a Master of Science in Communication (emphasis in Crisis Management) from Northwestern University, where she now serves as a guest lecturer, and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.
