Crisis Communications

Preparing for a crisis or managing one in real time? We’ve got you.

Preparing for a crisis or managing one in real time? We’ve got you.

“Working closely with Pete Mackey and the Mackey Strategies team, we significantly strengthened Lafayette’s crisis readiness through realistic, high-pressure training simulations that tested and refined our response in real time. We also added meaningful depth to our crisis communications team and brought a steady, practical approach that helped align communications with our crisis management team. As a result, we are better prepared to make decisions and respond quickly, communicate more effectively, and manage complex situations with clarity, control, and confidence.”

Scott Morse

Chief of Staff, Lafayette College

“Working closely with Pete Mackey and the Mackey Strategies team, we significantly strengthened Lafayette’s crisis readiness through realistic, high-pressure training simulations that tested and refined our response in real time. We also added meaningful depth to our crisis communications team and brought a steady, practical approach that helped align communications with our crisis management team. As a result, we are better prepared to make decisions and respond quickly, communicate more effectively, and manage complex situations with clarity, control, and confidence.”

Scott Morse

Chief of Staff, Lafayette College

“Working closely with Pete Mackey and the Mackey Strategies team, we significantly strengthened Lafayette’s crisis readiness through realistic, high-pressure training simulations that tested and refined our response in real time. We also added meaningful depth to our crisis communications team and brought a steady, practical approach that helped align communications with our crisis management team. As a result, we are better prepared to make decisions and respond quickly, communicate more effectively, and manage complex situations with clarity, control, and confidence.”

Scott Morse

Chief of Staff, Lafayette College

“Working closely with Pete Mackey and the Mackey Strategies team, we significantly strengthened Lafayette’s crisis readiness through realistic, high-pressure training simulations that tested and refined our response in real time. We also added meaningful depth to our crisis communications team and brought a steady, practical approach that helped align communications with our crisis management team. As a result, we are better prepared to make decisions and respond quickly, communicate more effectively, and manage complex situations with clarity, control, and confidence.”

Scott Morse

Chief of Staff, Lafayette College

When the stakes are high and the timeline is short, clarity and calm are irreplaceable. We help leaders and teams deliver both.

We’ve guided institutions through some of their most difficult moments: high-profile investigations, leadership transitions, controversies on campus, faculty disputes, student activism, reputational challenges, and fast-moving issues that unfold in real time.

Other Situations We've Helped Address

Administration and faculty controversies

Administration and faculty controversies

Bias, discrimination, and Title IX issues

Bias, discrimination, and Title IX issues

Campus safety incidents

Campus safety incidents

Public health and weather emergencies

Public health and weather emergencies

Financial and operational challenges

Financial and operational challenges

Reputational and media crises

Reputational and media crises

Governance and leadership conflicts

Governance and leadership conflicts

Partners in crisis prevention, preparedness, and management.

  • Rider University
  • Sewanee
  • Clark University
  • Boston University
  • Lafayette College
  • Vanderbilt University

Does any of this sound familiar?

We help leaders communicate with integrity, act with empathy, and emerge stronger. When you’re facing uncertainty, responding with clarity and confidence is the only option. If these risks sound familiar, it’s time to recognize the warning signs and bring in expert support.

“We’re expecting negative press and need to make sure we're prepared.”

“We're dealing with a sensitive issue that could escalate quickly.”

“We need a plan in case this goes sideways.”

“This could really damage trust if we don’t handle it well.”

“We need to make sure our crisis communications plan is up to the task.”

We’ve been there.

Our dedicated team of former vice presidents and senior communicators has lived the realities of crisis leadership. We know what it takes to respond with composure, clarity, and compassion—and to help institutions respond with vision, focus, and compassion.



As consultants, we’ve guided dozens of colleges and universities through their toughest moments. This dual perspective allows us to anticipate needs, build trust quickly, and help presidents and boards respond with the steadiness under pressure that can ultimately define a leader’s career.

Crisis Readiness Tip Sheet

Crisis Readiness Tip Sheet

We work regularly with campuses to strengthen crisis communications management and have seen how much a tool like this helps when crises arrive.

Crisis Readiness Tip Sheet

We work regularly with campuses to strengthen crisis communications management and have seen how much a tool like this helps when crises arrive.

Crisis Readiness Tip Sheet

We work regularly with campuses to strengthen crisis communications management and have seen how much a tool like this helps when crises arrive.

Contact Us

We tailor our services to produce the work that moves your mission forward.

Contact Us

We tailor our services to produce the work that moves your mission forward.

Contact Us

We tailor our services to produce the work that moves your mission forward.

Contact Us

We tailor our services to produce the work that moves your mission forward.

© 2025 Mackey Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

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© 2025 Mackey Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

Our site uses cookies and similar tools that may connect your activity with your email to deliver relevant communications. To opt out, visit: https://app.retention.com/optout.

© 2025 Mackey Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

Our site uses cookies and similar tools that may connect your activity with your email to deliver relevant communications. To opt out, visit: https://app.retention.com/optout.

© 2025 Mackey Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

Our site uses cookies and similar tools that may connect your activity with your email to deliver relevant communications. To opt out, visit: https://app.retention.com/optout.