Last month, I had the privilege of returning to the CALPELRA Annual Training Conference, held in beautiful Monterey, California. As someone who has attended this conference many times in the past—but not in a while—I was struck by the energy, camaraderie, and the high caliber of sessions that make CALPELRA a cornerstone event for public sector professionals throughout California. It was a joy to reconnect with so many familiar faces and former colleagues, and to see how the field continues to evolve and rise to meet new challenges.
One of the highlights of my experience was the opportunity to co-present with my talented colleague, Jenica Maldonado, Partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, on the topic of crisis communication. Together, we tackled “Crisis Communications: Coordinating a Cohesive and Legally-Defensible Narrative in Times of Chaos,” diving into what it takes to navigate the high-stakes, high-pressure situations that public agencies often face.
Our session focused on bridging legal strategy with communication and HR expertise—a partnership that is often overlooked until it’s too late. Jenica brought her extensive experience in the legal realm, while I emphasized the importance of crafting clear, thoughtful messaging that not only addresses immediate concerns but also builds long-term trust with employees, stakeholders, and the public. The dynamic between us works beautifully if I do say so myself; Jenica’s legal insights paired with my HR and communication expertise created a roadmap for attendees to approach crises with confidence and clarity.
We walked through practical steps to handle crises effectively, including:
Recognizing when a situation calls for a crisis response team.
Identifying the right leader to deliver the message and reset the tone.
Tailoring messages to various audiences—internal teams, external stakeholders, and the public—while maintaining a cohesive narrative.
Staying aligned across legal and communication strategies to ensure that messages are both defensible and resonant.
The conversations that followed our session reinforced why this work is so critical. In the public sector, the stakes are high. Crises often unfold in the public eye, where every action—and every word—is scrutinized, and you have a workforce who are looking for guidance, stability, and transparency, too. Having a seasoned communications professional, one with deep expertise in navigating the legal, HR, and PR quagmire, on your team can make the difference between winning in the court of public opinion--or losing in it, which can lead to years of complicated challenges that can affect all aspects of your operations and goals.
My return to CALPELRA this year reminded me of the immense talent and dedication of public sector professionals across California. The sessions were top-notch, the setting was inspiring, and the connections (and reconnections!) I made were invaluable. I left Monterey energized and ready to support organizations around the county in navigating both challenges and opportunities.
For those who find themselves in crisis mode—or better yet, see one brewing—I can’t stress enough the importance of preparing your team and crafting a strategic, unified response. And if you need support, reach out to see how we can help! The earlier you act, the stronger your position will be when the inevitable yet unexpected happens.
P.S. for all the conference-goers who stopped to ask me "where did you get those pants?!", I thrifted them :) Hot pink pants are a must for any conference!
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