Senior Vice President Of Public Relations
Current
Oct 2022 - Present
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Payal Pathak Email & Phone Number
Senior Vice President of Public Relations
at
Walker Sands
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✓ Verified Jul 2026
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Current company
Role
Senior Vice President of Public Relations
Location
Greater Chicago Area, United States
Who is Payal Pathak? Overview
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Payal Pathak is listed as Senior Vice President of Public Relations at Walker Sands, based in Greater Chicago Area, United States. AeroLeads shows a matched LinkedIn profile for Payal Pathak.
Payal Pathak previously worked as VP of Communications at Project44 and Vice President of Public Relations at Walker Sands. Payal Pathak holds Bachelor Of Arts, Communication & Public Relations Certification from University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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Walker Sands
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Profile bio
About Payal Pathak
I lead PR and communications programs for B2B technology companies ranging from high-growth startups to Fortune 2 enterprises. I've helped brands establish credibility, build awareness, expand into new markets and announce key milestones and initiatives. I've built and led teams of up to 25 people and am passionate about coaching. My specialties include thought leadership and executive media training.My work has been recognized by both the Publicity Club of Chicago and Public Relations Society of America, and my background is in journalism as a reporter and producer.
Listed skills include Press Releases, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Social Media, and 34 others.
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16 roles
Payal Pathak work experience
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Vp Of Communications
Coordinated media relations, data-driven outreach, thought leadership, and contributed content across 8 countries and 4 PR agencies. Secured 3,500 pieces of coverage, 1,200 headline mentions, 51% global share-of-voice and 3 awards in first 3 months. Managed social media strategy and execution in 10 languages and 10 countries for LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Grew followers 750% in first 3 months through employer branding campaigns, content/event promotions, influencer outreach, and advocacy program for 700+ employees. Led internal communications for 1,200 employees across 17 offices. Drafted executive notes and scripts, developed crisis response plans, produced monthly all-company Town Halls, and managed company Intranet and vendor.
Apr 2022 - Oct 2022
Vice President Of Public Relations
Supported agency's largest and most complex PR programs as the most senior strategist. Consulted with and built relationships with executive- and C-level client leaders. Generated new business by acting as a pitch and services lead in the sales process. Oversaw a large team of PR specialists and developed future agency leaders, directors and executives. Led department and agency initiatives aimed at improving processes, cross-department collaboration and revenue streams.Strategy lead for Fortune 2 ecommerce company. Managed ongoing thought leadership and guided regional agencies on outreach for large corporate initiatives. Program earned 1,500 placements, 233% increase in features, and 264% increase in positive coverage in first 12 months.
Dec 2020 - Mar 2022
Senior Public Relations Director
Served as strategic lead for agency's largest clients and prospects. Grew and evolved multi-year client engagements to include a mix of communications tactics. Built 1:1 client relationships by serving as a trusted consultant on strategy. Planned & evaluated team structures to maximize project profitability and quality. Maintained an advanced understanding of core offerings outside of PR, including branding/strategy, web, creative, and demand generation. Managed a large team of directors, managers and specialists.Led executive thought leadership program for $1B pre-IPO supply chain platform for top 150 of Fortune 500. Ongoing media relations, company announcements and quarterly reports resulted in 81% increase in coverage HY/HY.
Mar 2020 - Dec 2020
Public Relations Director
Responsible for PR strategy development and execution, program measurement and reporting, scope and budget management and integration of design, web and digital marketing services for electronics, manufacturing, fintech, insurtech and cybersecurity companies. Led new business opportunities. Built and currently leads executive media training program. Managed team of PR managers, media relations specialists and content writers. Identifies new opportunities to improve agency approach to PR through trainings and course development.Led media relations, speaking and awards and content strategy for global finance, government and enterprise security solutions provider. Secured 400 placements and increased competitive share-of-voice by 5X within first 18 months of program.
Mar 2018 - Feb 2020
Senior Public Relations Manager
Managed PR strategy for clients, including execution and reporting, and managed team of media relations specialists and content writers. Co-founder of Walker Women - a training and professional development resource for junior women at agency. Oversaw pitch strategies and outbound marketing campaigns for agency prospects.Secured 1,000 articles, drafted and won 15 awards and speaking engagements, and tripled engagement rates organically across LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for top 5 payment processor within 18 months. Company acquired for $10 billion to become world's largest processor.
Oct 2016 - Feb 2018
Public Relations Manager
Built PR frameworks for thought leadership campaigns, product launches, tradeshows, rebranding initiatives and more. Led and managed client relations including external and internal team meetings, reporting and day-to-day client contact. Oversaw execution of media relations activities and calendars, and supervised team of media relations specialists in developing and maintaining relationships with target media. Edited and approved written materials including press releases, pitch angles, contributed content, case studies, whitepapers, interview briefings, award submissions and social media content.Created and managed all content development for new microsite and branding campaign aimed at educating and spotlighting electronics, design and manufacturing engineers. Edited, produced and published 155 articles and videos in 6 months. Managed team of 10 writers. Campaign resulted in 13,500 UMVs and 35,000 social shares of content in first 6 months.
Jun 2015 - Oct 2016
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Identified and pitched target media, secured opportunities and facilitated interviews. Assisted in the development of PR plans, creative campaigns and RFPs. Supported day-to-day client relations by leading calls, drafting weekly reports and agendas and participating in account reviews and brainstorm sessions. Attended tradeshows and engaged with press on behalf of clients and Walker Sands. Mentored, trained and managed junior staff and interns.Launched second iteration of world's best-selling single board computer by securing 85 placements, including in the New York Times, The Verge and Chicago Tribune through product reviews, influencer engagement and social media giveaways. Product sales increased 67% within first 6 months of launch.
Jun 2014 - Jun 2015
Media Relations Specialist
Developed and maintained relationships with target media through pitching, interviews and placement coordination. Drafted press releases, social media posts, awards submissions, speaker proposals and various forms of contributed content on behalf of clients. Researched and built targeted media lists for email, phone and social media pitching. Media trained clients by compiling briefing booklets, developing key messaging documents and conducting mock interviews. Monitored media coverage and prepared activity reports and analyses of key competitors.Secured 1,500 placements over 3 years for top 10 global electronic components distributor through product announcements and thought leadership, including in TIME, Forbes and Entrepreneur. Company acquired for $1 billion.
May 2013 - Jun 2014
Public Affairs Intern
Built and managed for faculty use “Illinois Gift Box” service, to capture and promote key bragging points of University’s 17 colleges and 100+ programs. Partnered with University's 50 Chief Communications Officers to research brag points, draft gift descriptions, secure suppliers for items, create catalog images, and build online catalog of items.
Jan 2013 - May 2013
National Liaison - University Of Illinois Chapter
Founding executive board member of Public Relations Student Society of America at UIUC.
Dec 2012 - May 2013
Assistant Account Executive
Managed Facebook and Twitter pages and interacted with 5,000+ followers for Chicago-based market festival. Worked with business reporters at Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes to promote international leadership course program. Secured multiple segments with Detroit broadcast media for home inspection franchise company's veteran services.
Dec 2011 - Mar 2013
Daytime Assignment Editor
Managed DailyIllini.com and reviewed and selected media pitches and wire stories for publication. Assigned and edited stories to assistant daytime staff and reporting staff of 100 students. Produced “107 Seconds of News” radio segment on WPGU – 107.1 FM 4 times a day.
Aug 2010 - Jan 2013
Staff Writer
Reported on current events for "News" section and radio segment. Maintained daily "Police Blotter" for cities of Urbana and Champaign. Covered on-site breaking news events related to public safety beat.
Aug 2009 - Aug 2010
Digital Media Marketing Intern
Booked guest spots for school faculty and researchers on Urbana-Champaign morning shows to discuss research. Built official Facebook and Twitter pages for College and created social media campaign from archival records and affiliate interviews for 40th anniversary. Launched, wrote and edited Student Spotlight and Faculty Accolades web series and wrote alumni profiles and medical reports for 40th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine.
Aug 2011 - Dec 2011
Donor Relations Staff
Developed 100+ corporate donor proposals for 2011 Liberty Gala Benefit and library sponsorship, and assisted in securing Gala support from 50 sponsors including Exelon and Goldman Sachs. Wrote press releases and articles to promote Liberty Gala and Citizen Soldier exhibit. Wrote introductory speeches for public events, film screenings and panel discussions.
Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
3 education records
Payal Pathak education
Bachelor Of Arts, Communication & Public Relations Certification
University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Study Abroad Program
The University Of Manchester
Applied Project Management
Northwestern University
FAQ
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Quick answers generated from the profile data available on this page.
What company does Payal Pathak work for?
Payal Pathak works for Walker Sands.
What is Payal Pathak's role at Walker Sands?
Payal Pathak is listed as Senior Vice President of Public Relations at Walker Sands.
Where is Payal Pathak based?
Payal Pathak is based in Greater Chicago Area, United States while working with Walker Sands.
What companies has Payal Pathak worked for?
Payal Pathak has worked for Walker Sands, Project44, University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Public Relations Student Society Of America (Prssa), and Ripple Public Relations.
How can I contact Payal Pathak?
You can use AeroLeads to view verified contact signals for Payal Pathak at Walker Sands, including work email, phone, and LinkedIn data when available.
What schools did Payal Pathak attend?
Payal Pathak holds Bachelor Of Arts, Communication & Public Relations Certification from University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
What skills is Payal Pathak known for?
Payal Pathak is listed with skills including Press Releases, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Social Media, Blogging, Media Relations, Social Networking, and Facebook.
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