Executive Communications + Reputation Counsel

always with a keen sense of strategy and ability to make an impact. She is the rare leader who can think through multiple strategies and then work with a team to turn the best ones into action. She is creative, smart and tenacious. She has a range of industry and international experiences that leaders value. Plus she is energizing and fun to work with.

Companies can create or destroy value in minutes in today’s hyper-connected world. When cultivating a brand and communicating with constituents, CEOs must capitalize on opportunities and manage the inevitable risks of running any enterprise with a public profile. I have watched Deirdre flawlessly execute both imperatives, and any CEO would be lucky to have her in their inner circle.

We are a big company, well respected, and a big target. GE is at the forefront of digital and industrial innovation. While the ideas and execution are hard, telling the ‘story of change’ may be even harder. That is why I love working with Deirdre. A good communicator is invaluable to a CEO. They must be a strategist, a coach, and a street fighter—in equal measure. They must explain complex topics in simple words, and sometimes make messy situations look poetic. A good one is smart, tough, and fun.

Today, almost every organization is struggling to find the right way to engage with an increasingly complex array of stakeholders. Effective brand and communications are at the top of every leader’s agenda. But true experts in the field, professionals who have the real-life experience of the toughest issues, are thin on the ground. Deirdre is the best partner I have ever worked with. Her business savvy, ability to look around corners and anticipate issues—not just react to them—her ability to take action and deliver results, and, frankly, her natural instincts, make Deirdre a valued member of any team.

who truly sees things from a 360-degree perspective. She intuitively gets how communications needs to work across national boundaries, and with the diverse array of audiences—including customers, employees, investors, thought leaders, and regulators—that any multinational company today speaks to. At a time when companies have never been more impacted by governments, Deirdre was an incredible partner in helping craft a public affairs strategy that positioned GE as the trusted partner of governments around the world. And her instincts, honed by years of experience operating at the highest levels of global business, are second to none.

The environment for companies has changed dramatically in the last decade. Deirdre understands how to navigate complex dynamics to develop messaging strategies that reach important audiences. Her experience leading teams all over the world allows her to understand the impact of government on business in a more nuanced way than many communicators. She will be a valuable addition to corporate teams.

I was on the GE board for 16 years. She was the ‘go-to’ person in the company. Whether it was the crisis of the moment or seeking a longer-term communications strategy, Deirdre was the person every GE leader sought out. No one has more experience. Deirdre has lived it all. She understands the multitude of audiences any organization faces and how to reach each one of them effectively. She is smart and tough, nimble and creative. She’s a communications person’s communications person.