COMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL
I'm Michael Neuwirth and I support organizations of all kind in crafting and telling compelling stories to grow impact and in some cases business while managing risk. I'm passionate about shaping organizations and their reputations for a better future for all stakeholders, including our home planet. If a better future aligns with your organization's goals I can help.
Corporate Communications | Executive Communications | Brand PR | Crisis & Litigation Communications | Coalition Building | Community Engagement | Agency Management | Trade Association & Industry Representation
Current & past clients include B Lab (B Corp), Danone, Fund for Social Equity, Intrinsic Exchange Group, L’Occitane, Link Snacks and others
Areas of Expertise
2020 – Present: President & Founder, Neuwirth Communications, LLC
2021-2022: Chief Communications Officer, American Sustainable Business Network
2017-2020: Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Danone North America
2005-2017: Senior Director of Public Relations, Dannon & Danone's North American Businesses
2003-2005: Senior Vice President, Ruder Finn
2001-2003: Corporate Communications Director, Acirca
1994-2001: Public Relations Manager, Danone Waters / Great Brands of Europe
1990-1994: Senior Account Executive, Porter Novelli
Professional Experience
Education Highlights
Harvard-MIT Program on Negotiation
Vassar College
A bit more about me
Why did you choose your profession?
I grew up in a family that debates just about anything and as the youngest I quickly realized how greatly opinions can be influenced by words in addition to actions. After college I met a recruiter who told me about a whole industry dedicated to influence and that's where my fascination with and passion for public relations started. After many successful years launching and growing whole categories and new brands including single serve bottled water, probiotics and others, in 2012 I learned about B Corps and it started to re-shape how I thought about my career. Over the next few years I developed a passion to use the power of influence to profoundly change the trajectory of corporate behavior for the benefit of all stakeholders while maintaining growth and profitability in business.
How would you describe the lens through which you see the world?
I'm passionate about the truth and equality. And how the same fact can appear differently based on perspective. For example, you and I may both see the a storm cloud in the sky and interpret it entirely differently. As a farmer I might see the forecast for rain as good for my field of crops whereas if you're a beachgoer you may see a washed out day. I love seeing facts from multiple perspectives so I can help my clients communicate effectively to achieve the best outcomes by understanding the perspectives of all stakeholders. As the husband of an educator and parent to two young adult children I learn from their perspectives every day.
What are your long-term goals?
In addition to continuing to nurture my children and be the best partner I can to my wife, my goals are to help businesses and other organizations find their stories and tell them most effectively for the benefit of all of their stakeholders.
What does shaping organizations and their reputations mean to you?
I believe in a stakeholder engagement model for how organizations conduct themselves. The fundamentals of business work well and fairly only when the interests of all stakeholders are considered as opposed to only those of financial shareholders.
What makes Michael tick?
In addition to my family, the causes I care about deeply include democracy, equality, environment and education. And I am fueled to serve my clients most effectively when I'm running or otherwise outdoors, cooking and reading non-fiction.