Nick Lanyi

Nick Lanyi is a consultant with Ragan Consulting Group, where he helps organizations craft clear, compelling stories that move audiences to action—especially in moments when pressure is high and the margin for error is thin. His work focuses on helping leaders and communication teams cut through noise, clarify intent, and communicate with credibility when scrutiny is intense and facts are still emerging.

An independent writer and communications consultant, Nick brings deep experience at the intersection of journalism, public affairs, and crisis communications. He previously led the public affairs practice in the Washington, D.C., office of Porter Novelli and served as managing director at public affairs boutique LMG. At both agencies, Nick was a go-to resource for speechwriting, crisis counseling, and media training, advising senior leaders on how to communicate decisively and responsibly in high-stakes situations.

Over the course of his career, Nick has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, trade associations, and nonprofit institutions to shape narratives, raise organizational profiles, and prepare for—and respond to—crises. He is particularly skilled at helping organizations navigate the dangerous early phases of a crisis, when incomplete information, external pressure, and internal uncertainty can lead to missteps that accelerate reputational damage.

Nick is also the instructor of highly rated Crisis Communications Master Class workshops delivered across the country, where he trains communication professionals and leaders on how to think, decide, and communicate under pressure. His teaching emphasizes practical frameworks, disciplined messaging, and the importance of aligning leadership intent with stakeholder expectations during volatile moments.

Before moving into consulting, Nick spent 15 years as a journalist, including several years as executive editor for Louis Rukeyser’s Wall Street. His reporting background informs his deep understanding of how media works during crises, how narratives form and harden, and why clarity, timing, and restraint matter as much as transparency. That perspective allows him to help leaders anticipate how messages will be received—and misinterpreted—long before they are delivered.

Nick is widely respected for his ability to translate complex, fast-moving situations into clear communication strategies that protect credibility, maintain trust, and preserve options when organizations need them most.