Kathryn Janicek is the three-time Emmy-winning media and public speaking trainer who helps leaders communicate more effectively to build trust with internal and external audiences and get the ROI from every media and public speaking opportunity.

Kathryn’s 20+ years of experience as a media executive and spokesperson means she brings expert perspective and guidance on shaping messaging and delivering with impact. Kathryn has trained and placed clients for GMA, CNN, CNBC, The Today Show, 60 Minutes, CBS Mornings, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, Inc, The Chicago Tribune, and countless other media outlets.

Kathryn has personally trained C-suite leaders from CIBC Bank, UPS, First Onsite, Oracle, Deloitte, Peninsula Hotels, AbbVie, Uniphore Technologies (AI/Automation), CoinFlip Bitcoin ATMs, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, College of American Pathologists, American Dental Association, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, as well as many top ad agencies, tech companies, hedge funds, private universities, and financial firms.

She has also trained high-profile lawyers you see on TV regularly, home shopping network hosts, Food Network chefs, high-profile politicians, innovators of next-gen web3 technologies and currencies, and physicians from Harvard, Yale, NYU, Mayo, and Cleveland Clinic.

Kathryn trained reporters, anchors, producers, and reporters at media outlets across the country before starting her agency, Kathryn Janicek Productions, in 2015. She also served as the spokesperson for the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department managing the media and crisis communications internally and externally when the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River.

Jennifer Hammond is a two-time Emmy-winning sports reporter who pours her passion for telling engaging stories and serving her community into her 25+ year career with the Fox TV station in Detroit, Michigan. After starting her media career in Chicago, Jennifer moved to Detroit and has covered the Red Wings Stanley Cup runs, the Lions, the Tigers, the Pistons, MSU, and University of Michigan football. Jennifer understands the unique challenges of delivering memorable messaging in both live broadcast and recorded settings. This perspective allows her to provide our clients with valuable insight and guidance to help them feel confident on camera, on stage, in boardrooms, and everywhere in between.

Emma Murphy is a professional vocal performance trainer who helps leaders command rooms and engage audiences. Emma teaches memorable messaging, how to effectively use your body on stage, and how to breathe more effectively so each client performs with impact. Emma is also a professional actor and earned a bachelor’s degree in Theater Performance from Bradley University. Emma has been working with Kathryn Janicek Productions for over two years and has trained executives in-person and in virtual trainings. Her insight and help have been invaluable to many. Emma is based in NYC and trains clients outside of NY via Zoom.

Tracy Samantha Goodheart is a media strategist and executive ghostwriter who worked at the intersection of journalism and social media for a decade. She began her career as the youngest reporter at TIME Magazine, covering the rise of social media and developing groundbreaking methods for reporting breaking news. Her master's thesis was also published in TIME and was re-reported by The Today Show, Oprah, Vogue, and MTV. Tracy later became the founding editorial director of a major blog network owned by Tribune Publishing. She then led the global social media strategy for Crain Communications, a top business media company that has published titles like Advertising Age, InvestmentNews, Modern Healthcare, and Crain’s New York Business. Tracy has also been a frequent guest on ABC, CBS, and FOX. She has advised more than 75 brands on their communication and digital marketing strategies including Kin + Carta, Ipsos, Rotary International, The American Library Association, Joffrey Ballet, Uptake Technologies, OKRP, The Chicago Network, Origin Investments, UI Labs, and Advocate Healthcare. Tracy is also an adjunct marketing instructor at the University of Chicago, teaching "Data-Driven Content Marketing" to students worldwide.

When leaders don't feel good about themselves, they tend to hide or play small. Sandy helps our clients feel and look their best so they can impact the world fully. Sandy has been a makeup artist for almost 20 years. She’s been featured in Yahoo Lifestyle, Modern Luxury, and on NBC News. Sandy spent many years as the Regional Trainer of Education in the Midwest for MAC Cosmetics and provided makeup support at New York Fashion Week and several celebrity clients, and consulted Chicago-based TV/movie production makeup departments. Sandy earned a certification as a Mindset & Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She combines these modalities to help leaders align their inner and outer beauty to flow in age-defying ways, restoring total radiance and wellness so they can thrive in all areas of their life.

Darlene Obiyan is a seasoned makeup artist with over two decades of experience in the luxury retail beauty industry. Kathryn Janicek met Darlene years ago when she hired her to do her makeup for the Emmys. Now, Darlene helps our clients learn how to put their best face forward. Darlene’s love for makeup started as a young girl watching her mother put on makeup so beautifully. After graduating from Chicago State University with a degree in Business Management, her interest in makeup continued to grow as she managed several retail establishments. Darlene’s artistry can be described as clean, classic, timeless, and elegant. Her goal is to provide an enjoyable experience while helping you look amazing.

Since launching his styling services in 2014, Grant Alexander has combined his experience and success from his corporate days with his passion for clothing to empower people to be more confident and successful. He knows firsthand how styling can meet formality requirements yet offer the ability to speak to personality and ensure comfort, both physically and mentally, with options and freedom.

Grant has become a go-to personal stylist and clothing designer for pro athletes, executives, and entire boards, brands, and high-end clientele in Chicago and throughout the country with his brand, G ALXNDR. Working with people at the top of their game and field for nearly a decade, he understands how to make each experience effective, fun, and relatable. He is a trusted confidant to many clients, not just because of his talent for style and design, but the energy and attention he puts out to encourage clients to live their best lives every day.

Holli specializes in both male and female wardrobe styling, and has styled many clients for high-profile events across the globe. Holli curates a wardrobe that leaves you feeling confident and authentically you. She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Fashion Merchandising from Columbia College Chicago and worked with a renowned Chicago wardrobe stylist. "How we dress is how we present ourselves to the world - so let's elevate you and your wardrobe to the next level!"

Jewel is a dynamic coach with over 20 years of corporate background and experience mentoring leaders to succeed. As a trainer and operations director, she mentored all levels of companies, including managers, owners, and the C-suite. Jewel's coaching style is collaborative, empowering, and tailored to each client's needs. She specializes in guiding clients to escape and manage burnout, with time management issues, conflict resolution, developing a positive organizational culture, improving personal well-being, and tapping into their emotional intelligence and civility. Jewel's holistic methodology considers various aspects of life, including career, personal development, and overall well-being. She believes in the transformative power of coaching, empowering individuals to achieve their goals and reach new heights of success. 

Jewel's extensive corporate background as a leader means she brings an understanding of the unique challenges that come with leadership roles. Her coaching style is designed to help individuals and organizations overcome obstacles to achieve their goals while maintaining a positive and productive work environment.

Megan Fisher is an experienced project manager and client success manager with a passion for cultivating meaningful relationships and creating effective systems that support clients throughout their journey. Her ability to meet others where they are in order to better understand their needs and impeccable attention to detail both come from her background in acting, which she studied at Florida State University and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan. Megan continued her education at The New School in Manhattan where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Psychology and Creative Writing. Prior to focusing on her work in project management, she served as the Social Media Director for a holistic health and wellness company in Los Angeles developing branding, creating content, and building an engaged online community. More than anything, Megan enjoys helping people find a path to their big-picture vision by breaking down the often overwhelming process into smaller, attainable goals.

Sasha has an eye for details and the heart and passion to change the world. She supports our clients to make sure they have all of the tools to continue their leadership development skills. She also is our point person managing our new group training for women in healthcare, Have Your Voice Heard. Sasha is also a social entrepreneur, and the Founder of Rivvly, a Virtual Assistant and Remote Work Wellness firm dedicated to empowering individuals and teams working remotely. Sasha joined the Forbes Young Entrepreneur Council in 2018 where she has been featured for her expertise in Entrepreneurship, Cross-Functional Leadership, and Branding. Sasha is also a speaker and has been hosted by Launch DFW/Dallas New Tech, Women in Tech/Women Business Center Dallas, and Propellant Labs, just to name a few. Sasha is a Texas native and has worked alongside Silicon Valley’s best in San Francisco.

Raechel is an experienced administrative professional, creative producer, and performer living in Chicago. After graduating with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Oklahoma, Raechel trained with The Second City in Chicago and graduated from their Conservatory program while writing, performing, and producing several shows with The Second City Training Center. She is also an Associate Producer for 3AM Thoughts Productions, a female-founded and operated production company that focuses on compelling, thought-provoking, and personal stories told by underrepresented filmmakers and artists. When she’s offstage, Raechel has spent the past seven years using her creativity and passion for helping others to bring chaos to calm for managers, directors, and c-suite professionals across a variety of industries including tech, start-ups, higher education, and performing arts.

With over twenty years of work in process and sales management, Ted provides process improvements to help organizations be more productive and fulfill their mission and organizational vision. Ted has worked as a sales leader for several healthcare software companies, including electronic health record companies Netsmart Technologies ($1B company) and Streamline Healthcare Solutions. At Streamline, Ted developed the entire marketing vision, strategy, and sales process taking the company from $1M to $20M in seven years with no outside investment. He also increased the client base by 600%. Ted helps organizations clean up processes, build new systems, expand services, connect better with staff and clients, and leverage technology to manage their organizations better. He built and led sales and clinical teams and is focused on producing tangible results. Ted has completed both process optimization services and return on investment analyses for all types of organizations, including Beth Israel Hospital (NY), Detroit Department of Public Health, The State of Hawaii, The State of Texas, Santa Barbara County (CA), and Yolo County (CA).

Lauren Ikenn is a creative journalist with a penchant for digital and print media. Since graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, she's worked for a variety of public relations, advertising, and marketing companies. Lauren heads up all of our social media initiatives and serves as a Content Manager at EdPlus, an enterprise unit within Arizona State University. There, she oversees a team of four and manages ASU Online's 300+ program pages. Lauren is also pursuing her Master of Science in Digital Audience Strategy. Lauren believes in the power of the written word and is passionate about helping her clients find strategic ways to make their voices heard.

We love shooting videos with Elliot Burlingham in his soundstage studio in the Chicago area and worldwide. Elliot's dedication to his craft is always evident. Besides his technical skills and adaptability, Elliot is comfortable with his ability to make people look and sound great on camera and has an eye for beauty, lighting, and composition.

Ryan Brockmeier is a creative professional with over 20 years of experience. A longtime creative director and graphic designer, he shifted his focus in the last six years to film/video production and is currently directing his first feature-length documentary film Midway: The Story of Chicago Hip-Hop. Ryan works as a director, producer, editor, and creative director for clients including American Cancer Society, the City of Chicago, Chicago Humanities Festival, General Electric, Nestlé, PBS, Red Bull, and Volkswagen. Ryan also speaks to audiences at Apple, Google, Chicago State University, Columbia College Chicago, and Loyola University on independent filmmaking and culture preservation/archiving.