This year’s Senior Leader Series at ComNet25 is a response to where many of us find ourselves right now—navigating uncertainty, balancing risk, and needing to lead with both courage and clarity. 

These sessions will take place on Thursday October 16th and Friday October 17th and will be focused around the idea of how senior comms executives can “Meet The Moment.” Attendees can sign up to attend one or all of the sessions. 

Each session will center on a key leadership theme, drawing on the wisdom of the folks in the room. The Senior Leaders Series will create intimate, peer-led spaces for reflection, support, and action — and will be spearheaded and facilitated by The Communications Network Board.

Advanced signup required. These sessions will be reservation only, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thursday, October 16th

(11:15am-12:20pm MT)

Leading Through Risk and Uncertainty

Discussion facilitated by Anusha Alikhan, Bryan Simmons, Roben Smolar, and Stefan Lanfer

  • Communications plays a critical role in managing organizational risk. Yet, communications can’t (and usually shouldn’t!) try solving for it on its own. How communicators facilitate and lead toward sensemaking, strategy, and action.

  • How to give colleagues guidance about what and how and when to communicate when they want to know the organization’s risk tolerance, and what “true north” is.

  • Explore how communications leaders navigate their complex role at the nexus of leadership, legal, and program teams.

  • Consider the challenges and opportunities in making strategic recommendations and decisions with nuance and dexterity.

  • Discuss how leading comms in these uncertain times, often without evidence, data, or foresight adds additional complexity for communications leaders.

(1:45pm-2:50pm MT)

Courage, Vulnerability & Resilience

Discussion facilitated by Allyn Brooks-LaSure, Daphne Moore, Julia Layman, and Krista Jahnke

  • Communications leaders are often the moral compass of their orgs, navigating the gap between internal values and external messaging (all shaped by leadership dynamics, board culture, and personal risk tolerance).

  • Explore what it means to show up rooted in your values, within your team, and across your organization. How do we build the muscle for bold, values-driven leadership?

  • Discuss the difference between resilience and complacency — how do you stay resilient in your courage without becoming complacent with the way things are (without jeopardizing your position)?

(3:30pm-4:40pm MT)

Creating Collective Impact

Discussion Facilitated by Kristen Mack and Vidya Krishnamurthy

Friday, October 17th

(10:15am-11:20am MT)

How to Stay in the Ring and Protect Your Values

Discussion facilitated by Trabian Shorters

  • For the last year, many comms for good organizations have felt like they are under attack. Like a boxer, many find themselves caught off guard and up against the ropes or taking cover. 

  • Standing up for what’s right means you can’t stay in the corner. Learn more about how to move forward and what you can, and should, do after you find yourself on the defensive.

  • Explore how to bring others along to your position and/or why finding folks to line up with (or behind) can be just as powerful.