Crisis Communications
Empowering Staff in Critical Moments
An in-person workshop that equipped staff with practical tools and clear strategies to navigate crises with confidence, clarity, and compassion.
The Crisis Communications in-person workshop was a strategically developed curriculum designed to address past, ongoing, and potential future crises within the organization. The primary audience was on-site employees responsible for providing care and ensuring the safety of program participants.
The workshop focused on identifying and responding to misinformation and disinformation, offering supportive resources during times of crisis, and facilitating thoughtful discussion around complex or high-pressure situations. It empowered staff with practical tools, clear communication strategies, and a deeper understanding of how to navigate challenges with confidence and clarity.
As the Internal Communications Manager, I supported the Chief Communications Officer and the Director of Media Relations in designing the curriculum, facilitated travel and presentation logistics with regional stakeholders, and provided translation support during presentations. I collaborated with national and regional stakeholders to ensure accuracy and relevance, and created an engaging learning environment that encouraged open dialogue and real-world application.
Through this initiative, I applied my expertise in curriculum design, crisis communication, and employee engagement to create an impactful learning experience that strengthened the organization’s preparedness and built staff confidence in navigating critical moments.
Together We Made it Happen
Communications Team
- Chief of Communications
- Internal Communications Manager
- Brand & Project Manager
- Social Media Manager
- Graphic Design and Production Specialist
- Multimedia Specialist
- Copywriter
National Stakeholders
- Unaccompanied Children’s (UC) Program Division
- Legal
Regional Stakeholders
- South Texas UC Programs
- Houston UC Programs
- El Paso UC Programs
- Arizona UC Programs
- California UC Programs
- South Texas HQ
- Austin HQ
- Arizona HQ
External Stakeholders
- Crisis Communications Consultant
Project Insights
I learned that leadership during times of crisis is about equipping others with confidence and clarity. By supporting colleagues with accurate resources and fostering discussion, I saw how leadership can empower teams to face challenges with resilience.
The biggest challenge was balancing this training with several other major projects. Because it was developed in response to a crisis, it had to be put together quickly as a proactive measure for potential future crises. Managing travel, PTO, and competing priorities pushed me to new limits, but I overcame it by staying organized, leaning on collaboration with stakeholders, and keeping the focus on delivering clear, practical resources for staff.
I applied my skills in curriculum design, crisis communication, and employee engagement. I also used facilitation techniques, translation support, and project management tools to coordinate with stakeholders and ensure materials were accurate and accessible.
This project required me to help design and deliver training on sensitive, high-pressure topics. It pushed me to communicate with clarity in moments of complexity, adapt presentations to different audiences, and provide real-time support in both English and Spanish.
The workshop equipped staff with practical tools to identify misinformation, respond with clarity, and provide support during times of crisis. It strengthened the organization’s preparedness and gave employees confidence in navigating complex situations
I will carry forward the importance of building learning experiences that are both strategic and adaptable. This project taught me that the most effective communications are those that balance consistency with flexibility to address real-world challenges.
I am most proud of contributing to an engaging learning environment that encouraged open dialogue. Seeing employees leave the workshop with practical tools and greater confidence reinforced the value of preparing staff for critical moments.
Employees expressed that the workshop gave them clarity and reassurance, and leaders recognized its role in strengthening organizational resilience. This feedback affirmed the importance of blending technical accuracy with human-centered communication.