Dr. Robert J. Petrausch
Dr. Robert J. Petrausch is head of High-Stakes Presentation/Facilitation Labs, a consultant, professor emeritus and former chair in the Department of Media and Strategic Communication at Iona University in New Rochelle, New York. He holds a doctorate in education from the Department of Organization and Leadership at Columbia University. Additionally, he has advanced degrees from Boston University (communications), Fordham University (political science and public affairs), and the New School for Social Research (liberal studies).
He is an expert in communication, organizational learning and leadership, and public diplomacy while communicating across cultures. He has also held leadership positions with global companies. He has worked as a senior public relations executive and chief communications officer for Fortune 500 companies such as Shell Oil, GE, Sperry Corporation, and Uniroyal Chemical Corporation.
An active PRSA member, he has served as president of the PRSA Westchester-Fairfield Chapter. He is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) and has served as vice president of the United Nations Association (UNA) of CT. Additionally, he served on the national board of UNA, representing New England. He participated in UNA Leadership Summits in New York and Washington, D.C.
He completed the National Speakers Association of CT Speakers’ Academy Program.
His articles and academic papers have appeared in peer-reviewed journals in the U.S. and abroad. He co-authors the book “ Public Relations: A Primer for Business Executives. “ He served as a research consultant to the Procter& Gamble Alumni Association for its book “When Core Values are Strategic: How the Basic Values of Procter & Gamble Transformed Leadership at Fortune 500 Companies, “ published in 2012 by Pearson. His most recent book is “Leveraging Your High-Stakes Presentation in the Age of Speed,” published by Kendall Hunt Academic Publishers.
He served as a captain in the United States Air Force.