ABOUT PAYAL
Payal is a strategic communications leader, crisis management expert and multilingual media spokesperson with more than 15 years of experience. With a passion for storytelling, Payal originally set out for a career in broadcast journalism. Following a brief stint as a sports reporter in Milwaukee, she returned to her hometown of Chicago to transition to a career in strategic communications and marketing.
Prior to launching her own consulting practice, Audacity Communications, Payal spearheaded the communications department and served as the chief spokesperson for Navy Pier—one of the top destinations in the world, 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 for the NFL Players Association (Chicago), Payal oversaw all communications 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 earned local and international recognition for her work, including being named Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago's Professional of the Year (2025), as well as Person of the Year in Crisis Management (2024) and Top Woman in PR (2020) by PRNEWS—the industry-leading resource for communications professionals around the world. 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. She is also a recipient of the MarCom Platinum Award, Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) Golden Trumpet Award, and PRSA Chicago Skyline Award of Excellence.
Payal currently serves on the board for PCC and Dress for Success. She was also appointed as a Global Goals Ambassador on behalf of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Formerly, she has served on the local boards for PRSA, Women in Sports and Events (WISE), and UN Women. As part of her philanthropic work, Payal co-chairs Room to Read Chicago, helping the global organization advance children's literacy and girls' education programs around the world. She also volunteers regularly at the Almost Home Animal Shelter and Feed My Starving Children, while serving 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 (Crisis Management) from Northwestern University, where she now serves as a guest lecturer. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.
Prior to launching her own consulting practice, Audacity Communications, Payal spearheaded the communications department and served as the chief spokesperson for Navy Pier—one of the top destinations in the world, 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 for the NFL Players Association (Chicago), Payal oversaw all communications 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 earned local and international recognition for her work, including being named Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Chicago's Professional of the Year (2025), as well as Person of the Year in Crisis Management (2024) and Top Woman in PR (2020) by PRNEWS—the industry-leading resource for communications professionals around the world. 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. She is also a recipient of the MarCom Platinum Award, Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) Golden Trumpet Award, and PRSA Chicago Skyline Award of Excellence.
Payal currently serves on the board for PCC and Dress for Success. She was also appointed as a Global Goals Ambassador on behalf of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Formerly, she has served on the local boards for PRSA, Women in Sports and Events (WISE), and UN Women. As part of her philanthropic work, Payal co-chairs Room to Read Chicago, helping the global organization advance children's literacy and girls' education programs around the world. She also volunteers regularly at the Almost Home Animal Shelter and Feed My Starving Children, while serving 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 (Crisis Management) from Northwestern University, where she now serves as a guest lecturer. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.
