Meet Eric
Founder | Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Eric Kowalczyk is a strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience in crisis communications, leadership strategy, and public affairs. He is the author of The Politics of Crisis and is a passionate advocate for marginalized and underserved communities. Eric specializes in and is nationally recognized for his expertise in crisis response, municipal and nonprofit communications, and media relations.
Eric has advised elected officials, advocacy groups, law firms, and municipalities across the country. His work centers on leadership strategy, critical incident mitigation, public affairs, crisis communications, municipal messaging, and both internal and external media training.
A veteran of the Baltimore Police Department, Eric served as Captain and Director of Media Relations, where he led crisis communication efforts during the 2015 Freddie Gray uprising. Managing local, national, and international media under intense public scrutiny, he implemented a strategy widely praised for its transparency and sensitivity to community concerns.
Eric has consulted on a U.S. presidential campaign and gubernatorial, senate, house, and mayoral races. He is a sought-after trainer who has prepared more than 2,000 communications specialists across 41 states and 75 cities. A TEDx Beacon Street speaker, Eric has also presented at major national conferences, including the NIOA, DOJ-U.S. Attorneys Conference, FBI-LEEDA conferences, and the 2021 and 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions. He serves on the Executive Board of the Southern California Committee for the Parliament of the World’s Religions and the Advisory Board of the Cobb Institute.
Eric is an ordained interfaith minister with a postgraduate degree in Divinity and a Doctorate in Ministry. He is currently pursuing a second doctorate in Social Justice Leadership.