ABOUT US

Payal is a strategic communications leader, crisis management expert and multilingual media spokesperson with more than 15 years of experience across various industries. Prior to founding Audacity, Payal spearheaded internal and external communications and served as the chief spokesperson for Navy Pier—one of the top-attended destinations in the world. During her tenure, she helped the popular non-profit institution elevate its brand profile, execute award-winning PR campaigns, increase attendance, and diffuse several operational and reputational crises, converting them into favorable outcomes for the organization. As the marketing and public relations director for the Chicago-based NFL Players Association, Payal developed and implemented comprehensive strategies for key events and community initiatives, including the annual celebrity golf outing, youth football grant/scholarship programs and the 2015 NFL Draft. She has also led marketing and communications efforts for other professional sports organizations, including the Chicago Fire FC, following a brief career in journalism. Payal has been internationally recognized for her outstanding work in crisis management, including being honored as PRNEWS People of the Year (2024) and Top Women (2020). In 2016, she was honored at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. as part of the 30 Under 30 list, celebrating the industry’s rising stars. A passionate advocate for girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment, Payal devoutly supports philanthropic efforts for Room to Read and Dress for Success. In addition, she has served on the boards for the Publicity Club of Chicago, Public Relations Society of America and UN Women. As part of her advocacy work for the United Nations, she was appointed as a Global Goals Ambassador by UNA-USA, representing the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8). Payal was also twice selected to serve as a U.S. delegate at the Commission on the Status of Women—the UN's largest global assembly on gender equality—and a UN advocate on Capitol Hill in an effort to bolster congressional support for ongoing humanitarian aid in areas impacted by climate, conflict and poverty. In 2024, she received the President's Service Award and Silver Medal from President Joe Biden for her commitment to voluntarism and contributions to humanitarian work. Payal holds a Master of Science in Communication - Crisis Management from Northwestern University—where she now serves as a guest lecturer—and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University. To learn more about Payal's work and background, visit www.payalpatel.com.