
Kathryn Janicek
Kathryn Janicek
Kathryn Janicek
Kathryn Janicek
Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer
Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer
“Kathryn delivered the best opening mainstage address we've ever had!”
“Kathryn delivered the best opening mainstage address we've ever had!”
“Kathryn delivered the best opening mainstage address we've ever had!”
“Kathryn delivered the best opening mainstage address we've ever had!”
- NAPO Summit
- NAPO Summit
- NAPO Summit
- NAPO Summit
3x Emmy® Award Winner | Former TV Executive
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
I Tell Leaders What’s Getting in Their Way and How to Fix It.
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.
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’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.
I fix this using pressure-tested systems built inside newsrooms, crisis scenes, and executive environments where mistakes are public and permanent.

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
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.
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.
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)


Watch Kathryn In Action

Media Featuring Kathryn

















Podcast Appearences


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

Watch Kathryn In Action

Media Featuring Kathryn









Podcast Appearences
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

Watch Kathryn In Action

Media Featuring Kathryn









Podcast Appearences
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


A Little More About me
Former TV producer who still thinks in live segments
Built a company while navigating IVF, leadership,
and burnout recoveryBelieves most leadership problems are communication
problems in disguiseKnown for asking questions leaders don’t
expect and need to answerRefuses to waste leaders’ time with fluff


A Little More About me
Former TV producer who still thinks in live segments
Built a company while navigating IVF, leadership,
and burnout recoveryBelieves most leadership problems are communication
problems in disguiseKnown for asking questions leaders don’t
expect and need to answerRefuses to waste leaders’ time with fluff
Ready to Connect?
Ready to Connect?
Ready to Connect?
Ready to Connect?
Book a call or reach out to discuss speaking, media, or leadership engagements.
Book a call or reach out to discuss speaking, media, or leadership engagements.
Book a call or reach out to discuss speaking, media, or leadership engagements.
Book a call or reach out to discuss speaking, media, or leadership engagements.
Book an intro call with Kathryn
Book an intro call with Kathryn
Book an intro call with Kathryn

Let’s Work Together
Let’s Work Together

Let’s Work Together

Let’s Work Together
Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer
Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer
Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer
Speaker & High-Stakes Communications Trainer
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