BIOGRAPHY
Payal is a strategic communications leader, crisis management expert and multilingual media spokesperson with more than a decade of experience. With a passion for storytelling, Payal originally set out for a career in broadcasting. Following a brief stint as a sports reporter in Milwaukee, she returned to her hometown of Chicago to transition to a career in public relations.
Most recently at Navy Pier, Payal led the communications efforts and served as the chief spokesperson for the top destination in the Midwest, which welcomes nearly 9 million guests each year. She played a pivotal role in developing and executing the strategy for Navy Pier’s centennial vision, a campaign that included a full organizational re-brand and a robust lineup of special events, programs and Pier-wide redevelopment efforts to enhance the iconic landmark as it entered its second century.
As the Director of Public Relations and Programming for the NFL Players Association (Chicago), Payal oversaw all communications and programs on behalf of the organization, its charitable arm and the players involved. She was instrumental in creating and implementing the strategy for the Chapter’s involvement in the NFL Draft in Chicago, the concussions lawsuit against the NFL, among other key events and initiatives led by the organization and its members. Payal has also managed communications for Chicago Fire FC, where she led projects and campaigns for the 2014 FIFA World Cup viewing parties in Chicago and the Fire's new primary and third kit launches. Prior to that, Payal served as the Director of Public Relations and Operations for the Chicago Soul FC, a professional indoor soccer team.
In 2020, Payal was acknowledged as one of the Top Women in PR by PRNEWS, the industry-leading resource for communications professionals around the world. In 2016, she was recognized at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. after being named to the PRNEWS Rising Stars 30 Under 30 list, which honors budding PR leaders around the globe. She is also a recipient of the MarCom Platinum Award, Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) Golden Trumpet Award and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago Skyline Award of Excellence.
Payal currently serves on the board of directors for PCC and UN Women, the gender equality arm of United Nations. She has also previously served on the boards for PRSA and Women in Sports and Events (WISE), and is a charter member of the Chicago Leadership Alliance (CLA), an exclusive network of distinguished leaders in Chicago. As part of her philanthropic commitments, Payal volunteers regularly at Dress for Success and Feed My Starving Children, helps lead the fundraising efforts for Room to Read, and serves as an ambassador for Saris to Suits, an organization dedicated to the advancement of South Asian women and girls.
Payal received her Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University, with much of her academic work and research focused on crisis management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.
Most recently at Navy Pier, Payal led the communications efforts and served as the chief spokesperson for the top destination in the Midwest, which welcomes nearly 9 million guests each year. She played a pivotal role in developing and executing the strategy for Navy Pier’s centennial vision, a campaign that included a full organizational re-brand and a robust lineup of special events, programs and Pier-wide redevelopment efforts to enhance the iconic landmark as it entered its second century.
As the Director of Public Relations and Programming for the NFL Players Association (Chicago), Payal oversaw all communications and programs on behalf of the organization, its charitable arm and the players involved. She was instrumental in creating and implementing the strategy for the Chapter’s involvement in the NFL Draft in Chicago, the concussions lawsuit against the NFL, among other key events and initiatives led by the organization and its members. Payal has also managed communications for Chicago Fire FC, where she led projects and campaigns for the 2014 FIFA World Cup viewing parties in Chicago and the Fire's new primary and third kit launches. Prior to that, Payal served as the Director of Public Relations and Operations for the Chicago Soul FC, a professional indoor soccer team.
In 2020, Payal was acknowledged as one of the Top Women in PR by PRNEWS, the industry-leading resource for communications professionals around the world. In 2016, she was recognized at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. after being named to the PRNEWS Rising Stars 30 Under 30 list, which honors budding PR leaders around the globe. She is also a recipient of the MarCom Platinum Award, Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) Golden Trumpet Award and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago Skyline Award of Excellence.
Payal currently serves on the board of directors for PCC and UN Women, the gender equality arm of United Nations. She has also previously served on the boards for PRSA and Women in Sports and Events (WISE), and is a charter member of the Chicago Leadership Alliance (CLA), an exclusive network of distinguished leaders in Chicago. As part of her philanthropic commitments, Payal volunteers regularly at Dress for Success and Feed My Starving Children, helps lead the fundraising efforts for Room to Read, and serves as an ambassador for Saris to Suits, an organization dedicated to the advancement of South Asian women and girls.
Payal received her Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University, with much of her academic work and research focused on crisis management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.
