Kathryn Janicek | Executive Presence Strategist & Keynote Speaker

Kathryn Janicek

Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer

“Kathryn delivered the best opening mainstage address we've ever had!”

- NAPO Summit

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3x Emmy® Award Winner | Former TV Executive

Even High-Performing Leaders Have Blind Spots That Cost Them Authority.

Over two decades in live television and breaking news, I watched this pattern repeat itself.  

In 2007, I became the sole spokesperson during the collapse of the 35W Bridge in Minneapolis. For nearly two weeks, I managed global media while families waited for answers and the world watched every move. That experience permanently changed how I understand

leadership under scrutiny.    

Later, as a news executive, I kept seeing the same problem. CEOs, physicians, founders, and public officials were smart, prepared, and completely ineffective on camera or on stage. So I built a firm to fix what no one else was willing to address. Not just what leaders say, but how they   show up when it counts.

Over two decades in live television and breaking news, I watched this pattern repeat itself.  

I understand leadership under scrutiny.    

Over two decades in live television and breaking news, I watched this pattern repeat itself.  

leadership under scrutiny.    

Over two decades in live television and breaking news, I watched this pattern repeat itself.  

I understand leadership under scrutiny.    

Transforming Experts into Magnetic and Inspiring Leaders

My Experience

Ran live television under deadline

Managed global media during a national tragedy

Coached leaders before moments where mistakes are public and permanent

Seen exactly how audiences decide who to trust in seconds

Discover the work we do with leaders at

Janicek Performance Group.

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I Tell Leaders What’s Getting in Their Way and How to Fix It.

Board meetings where silence carries weight. Media interviews that can move markets, policy, or reputation. Stages where the audience decides, within seconds, whether you’re credible.

I’m brought in when leaders are technically brilliant but not landing. They over-explain. Speak too fast. Hide behind slides. Look exhausted. They lose the room without realizing why.

I fix this using pressure-tested systems built inside newsrooms, crisis scenes, and executive environments where mistakes are public and permanent.

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Who I Work With

CEOs, C‑suite leaders, and board‑facing executives
Physicians and healthcare leaders in visible, high‑risk roles
Founders and senior operators preparing for growth, exits, or scrutiny
Women leaders navigating visibility, pressure, and career longevity

How I Help

Executive presence and boardroom authority
High-stakes communication and presentation preparation
Media-ready leadership for interviews, keynotes, and investor moments
Leadership stamina, boundaries, and performance sustainability

Results

You get promoted because your presence finally matches your capability
You walk into high-stakes moments calm, composed, and in control
You gain the right kind of media visibility and executive credibility
When decisions are on the line, your authority is felt before you speak

Leaders coached before earnings calls, congressional testimony, and national media.

Clients featured on major industry stages, including:

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My Signature Framework

I give leaders and their teams a repeatable system to fix what’s getting in their way so they can command the room, align their people, control the narrative, and keep their lives intact while they lead.

What Shows  Up

First  Your body, pace, and energy answer the question before your words do.

What Shows  Up

First  Your body, pace, and energy answer the question before your words do.

What Shows  Up

First  Your body, pace, and energy answer the question before your words do.

What Shows  Up

First  Your body, pace, and energy answer the question before your words do.

Message Discipline

What to say, what to cut, and where leaders lose people without realizing it.

Message Discipline

What to say, what to cut, and where leaders lose people without realizing it.

Message Discipline

What to say, what to cut, and where leaders lose people without realizing it.

Message Discipline

What to say, what to cut, and where leaders lose people without realizing it.

Pressure Testing

Rehearsing for the moment when things go off-script.

Pressure Testing

Rehearsing for the moment when things go off-script.

Pressure Testing

Rehearsing for the moment when things go off-script.

Pressure Testing

Rehearsing for the moment when things go off-script.

Leadership Stamina

Fixing the fatigue, stress, and burnout that leak into performance.

Leadership Stamina

Fixing the fatigue, stress, and burnout that leak into performance.

Leadership Stamina

Fixing the fatigue, stress, and burnout that leak into performance.

Leadership Stamina

Fixing the fatigue, stress, and burnout that leak into performance.

Long-Term Presence

How leaders show up consistently over years, not just one event.

Long-Term Presence

How leaders show up consistently over years, not just one event.

Long-Term Presence

How leaders show up consistently over years, not just one event.

Long-Term Presence

How leaders show up consistently over years, not just one event.

Bring Kathryn To Your Stage

Signature Keynotes

No One’s Ever Told Me That  
How to Transform from an Invisible Expert to an In-Demand, Magnetic, and Influential Leader.
The Million Dollar Message   
How leaders use the JPG Method to grow revenue, impress Wall Street and boards, retain employees and attract customers.
When the Questions Get Hard   
Staying composed and credible in high-stakes situations.
Leadership Optimization   
How to prepare as an athlete to perform as THE leader.

Past Speaking Engagements

Chicago Executives’ Club — Keynote
Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) & CHIEF — Keynote & Executive Lunch
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Female Leadership Conference (Audience of 350)
National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) Summit — Highest Rated Keynote in History (Audience of 400)

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Watch Kathryn In Action

Media Featuring Kathryn

Trusted By Leaders Who Cannot Afford to Get It Wrong

“
“Kathryn is one of the best media and public speaking trainers I’ve worked with in 28 years. Where she really shines is helping people think about the impression they make and ensuring they’re seen—not just heard.”
– VP, Media and Crisis Communications, Fortune 50 Company
“
“Kathryn tells leaders what no one else will.   
The impact is immediate and lasting.”
— COO, $20B Company
“
“This wasn’t surface-level training.
It changed how I show up everywhere.”
— Senior Executive, Fortune 500
“
“Kathryn is a seasoned media expert who helped me eliminate blind spots by giving me trusted feedback I needed to hear—constructively and supportively.”
– COO of a $20B US-based company
“
“For the first time, I’m not sweating bullets before speaking in front of large audiences. The difference is night and day.”
– Dr. Sharon Stoll, Yale Neuro-Immunologist & Medical Expert
“
“She sees what others miss and fixes it fast.”
— Healthcare CEO
“
“When I need the best in media coaching and storytelling,
I go to Kathryn Janicek. She continues to exceed all expectations.”
– Michael Ziener, Senior Director, American Cancer Society
“
“Kathryn quickly energized and polished our executives for a major event.
There’s no one better.”
– Julia Weiss, Director of Communications, CoinFlip

“
“Kathryn is one of the best media and public speaking trainers I’ve worked with in 28 years. Where she really shines is helping people think about the impression they make and ensuring they’re seen—not just heard.”
– VP, Media and Crisis Communications, Fortune 50 Company
“
“Kathryn tells leaders what no one else will.   
The impact is immediate and lasting.”
— COO, $20B Company
“
“This wasn’t surface-level training.
It changed how I show up everywhere.”
— Senior Executive, Fortune 500
“
“Kathryn is a seasoned media expert who helped me eliminate blind spots by giving me trusted feedback I needed to hear—constructively and supportively.”
– COO of a $20B US-based company
“
“For the first time, I’m not sweating bullets before speaking in front of large audiences. The difference is night and day.”
– Dr. Sharon Stoll, Yale Neuro-Immunologist & Medical Expert
“
“She sees what others miss and fixes it fast.”
— Healthcare CEO
“
“When I need the best in media coaching and storytelling,
I go to Kathryn Janicek. She continues to exceed all expectations.”
– Michael Ziener, Senior Director, American Cancer Society
“
“Kathryn quickly energized and polished our executives for a major event.
There’s no one better.”
– Julia Weiss, Director of Communications, CoinFlip

“
“Kathryn is one of the best media and public speaking trainers I’ve worked with in 28 years. Where she really shines is helping people think about the impression they make and ensuring they’re seen—not just heard.”
– VP, Media and Crisis Communications, Fortune 50 Company
“
“Kathryn tells leaders what no one else will.   
The impact is immediate and lasting.”
— COO, $20B Company
“
“This wasn’t surface-level training.
It changed how I show up everywhere.”
— Senior Executive, Fortune 500
“
“Kathryn is a seasoned media expert who helped me eliminate blind spots by giving me trusted feedback I needed to hear—constructively and supportively.”
– COO of a $20B US-based company
“
“For the first time, I’m not sweating bullets before speaking in front of large audiences. The difference is night and day.”
– Dr. Sharon Stoll, Yale Neuro-Immunologist & Medical Expert
“
“She sees what others miss and fixes it fast.”
— Healthcare CEO
“
“When I need the best in media coaching and storytelling,
I go to Kathryn Janicek. She continues to exceed all expectations.”
– Michael Ziener, Senior Director, American Cancer Society
“
“Kathryn quickly energized and polished our executives for a major event.
There’s no one better.”
– Julia Weiss, Director of Communications, CoinFlip