Evan Nierman

Founder & CEO, Red Banyan PR | Author of Top-Rated Newsletter on Communications Best Practices

I'm the Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, an international public relations and crisis management firm that exists to press the truth and deliver results. My team and I specialize in high-stakes PR, cancel culture response, litigation communications, and complex reputational challenges that require creative thinking, strategic clarity, and unshakable judgment.

For more than two decades, I’ve helped CEOs, public figures, law firms, and global brands navigate their most difficult moments. Whether it’s a viral controversy, a legal dispute, or a reputational crisis, I bring deep media experience and a relentless commitment to exceeding expectations.

I’m also the author of The Cancel Culture Curse and Crisis Averted, and I frequently appear on major news outlets like Fox News, CNN, BBC, and Newsmax to share insights on cancel culture, media strategy, and crisis communications.

🔹 Founder & CEO of Red Banyan
🔹 Author of The Cancel Culture Curse and Crisis Averted
🔹 Regular media commentator on PR and reputation issues
🔹 Trusted advisor to executives, attorneys, and public figures
🔹 Featured in Newsweek, PRWeek, The Washington Post, and Forbes

My mission is simple: help people and organizations tell their stories truthfully, strategically, and powerfully—especially when the stakes are highest.

📩 Learn more at www.redbanyan.com

Founder and CEO

Red Banyan Group is a strategic communications firm specializing in public relations, crisis management and marketing.  Red Banyan Group combines creative thinking, steady judgment shaped by experience and a relentless commitment to achieving results for its clients.  Red Banyan offers a wide array of services, including: media relations, crisis management, marketing, corporate communications, litigation support, social and digital media, copywriting and editing and media training.

Reputations don’t fall apart during press conferences. They fall apart in private conversations with your team.

Before the statement. 

Before the lawyers finalize language. 

Before the media calls.

Crisis exposure starts internally.

When pressure rises, executives often shift into control mode. 

Tighter messaging. Fewer voices. More distance.

It feels strategic.

But inside the organization, people are listening for something else.

Ownership. Clarity. Steadiness.

The leaders who protect reputation long term don’t default to defensiveness.

They say:

“I was wrong.” “What’s your take?” 

“I trust you.” “We’ll figure this out.”

Those words do more than motivate.

They lower internal panic. 

They align legal and communications before tension escalates. 

They prevent small issues from turning into cultural fractures.

External reputation is a reflection of internal leadership.

If your language fractures trust behind closed doors, no press strategy will repair it.

Leadership under pressure is measured in tone, not talking points.

Every leader faces a defining moment. Preparation starts here.

Follow for weekly insights on crisis PR and reputation management.

Kindness isn’t soft leadership.
It’s reputation management.

Many leaders assume reputation is built through visibility.

Press coverage. Big announcements. Strong quarterly results.

But reputation inside an organization forms somewhere much quieter.

In daily interactions.

How a leader speaks to people when things go wrong. 

Who gets credit when things go right. 

Who gets defended when they’re not in the room.

Employees remember these moments.

And when pressure arrives, those memories matter.

Because in a crisis, reputation is rarely protected by messaging alone.

It’s protected by people.

People who trust your leadership. 

People who believe you treated them fairly. 

People who are willing to stand behind you when scrutiny begins.

That loyalty isn’t built during the crisis.

It’s built long before it.

Follow for weekly insights on crisis PR & reputation management.

Jeffrey Epstein is dead. The reputational risk tied to his name isn’t. In most crises, I advise clients to engage and push back. This is one of the rare exceptions. 

Watch for my take on why. #cisisPR #reputationmanagement #mediastrategy #epstein

The Prince Andrew arrest, tied to the Epstein scandal, is another blow to the already fragile reputation of the British monarchy. 

This ongoing controversy is a prime example of how reputations can unravel with each new revelation. 

Watch my take on why this situation requires a strategic shift in crisis communication.

#PrinceAndrew #Epstein #BritishMonarchy #CrisisPR #ReputationManagement #CrisisCommunication

Sydney Sweeney shared a makeup-free photo and faced immediate online criticism. It’s a sad reminder of how far some people will go to bring others down for showing authenticity.

The real strength lies in staying true to yourself, regardless of the noise.

#SydneySweeney #OnlineTrolling #Authenticity #SocialMedia

It was an honor to speak at the Chief Outsiders National Meeting yesterday on “The PR Imperative in an AI World.”

As AI reshapes industries, PR plays a critical role in driving growth and powering reputation. 

We explored how AI-driven communications can align sales, marketing, and leadership teams for sustained success.

Thanks to everyone who joined the session! 

Excited to see how AI continues to reshape PR and leadership strategies.

#PR #AI #Leadership #BrandReputation #StrategicCommunications

A live broadcast is never truly “live.” 
There are safeguards for a reason.

The BAFTA controversy raises a bigger question about responsibility, judgment, and where education ends and avoidable harm begins. 

Watch the video for my take.

#BAFTAAwards #CrisisPR #MediaStrategy #ReputationManagement #PublicPerception

Building a company is hard. Doing it alongside someone you trust completely is a gift.

Grateful today for Robbin Lubbehusen, MBA and the steady hand she’s been in building Red Banyan from the early days to where we are now. 

Trust is earned and she’s earned it every step of the way.

#Leadership #Teamwork #Gratitude #RedBanyan

A leader’s reputation is defined in the moments
when everyone else is losing control.

In a crisis, people rarely remember the smartest analysis.

They remember composure.

Panic spreads quickly inside organizations. So does calm.

The leaders who protect their reputations during difficult moments usually do three things well:

-They slow the room down. 
-They focus attention on facts instead of emotion. 
-They communicate clearly while everyone else reacts.

This isn’t about personality.

It’s about discipline.

Because when pressure rises, people look for signals.

If the leader appears controlled, the organization stabilizes.

If the leader appears uncertain, the chaos multiplies.

Crisis leadership isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about becoming the calm others can follow.

Every leader faces a defining moment.

Preparation starts long before the chaos begins.

Follow for weekly insights on crisis PR & reputation management.

Crisis doesn't just test your strategy.
It tests your character.

And the leaders who rise aren't the ones with all the answers.

They're the ones who show up with clarity, courage, and composure when everything's falling apart.

Here's what the best leaders do differently under pressure:

1. They act quickly, even without all the answers.

Waiting for perfect information leads to paralysis.

The best leaders move fast, acknowledge what they don't know, and take decisive action anyway.

They adjust as they learn more. But they don't freeze.

Speed builds trust. Hesitation breeds doubt.

2. They stay visible.

Disappearing isn't an option.

The best leaders stay front and center—offering updates, answering questions, showing they're engaged.

Visibility signals commitment. Silence signals abandonment.

3. They lead with empathy, not just authority.

Decisions still need to be made. But people need to know you care.

The best leaders acknowledge the impact, show humanity, and connect before they command.

Empathy doesn't weaken authority. It strengthens trust.

4. They keep the message clear and consistent.

Mixed messages fuel confusion and distrust.

The best leaders repeat the same core message—simply, clearly, relentlessly.
Consistency creates clarity. And clarity calms chaos.

5. They take responsibility.

When things go wrong, they don't deflect. They don't blame. They don't hide.

They own it. They fix it. They lead through it.

Accountability isn't weakness. It's the foundation of trust.

Crisis leadership isn't about having all the answers.

It's about how you carry yourself when no one does.

The best leaders rise by staying composed, staying present, and staying human.

Because when everything's uncertain, people aren't looking for perfection.

They're looking for someone steady enough to follow.

Great content doesn’t just build authority.
It drives growth.

Many brands focus heavily on expert, authority-driven content. 

It’s smart. 

It builds credibility and signals depth.

But authority alone doesn’t expand reach.

Growth-oriented content plays a different role. 

It connects expertise to broader conversations and pulls new audiences in—without watering down the message.

The strongest brands balance both. 

Here’s how the most effective brands approach it:

1. Lead with insight, not jargon. Expertise lands better when it’s accessible.

2. Tie experience to real-world moments. Growth happens when people recognize themselves in the message.

3. Vary the packaging, not the principle. The message stays the same. The delivery adapts.

4. Meet people where they are. Authority earns trust. Reach earns attention. You need both.

Authority-driven content proves you know what you’re doing.

Growth-driven content ensures people actually see it.

When those two work together, credibility scales.

Visibility increases.

Reputation strengthens.

This isn’t about changing your message.

It’s about making sure it travels far enough to matter.

Had a great time connecting with Adriana Lynch from Chief Outsiders at their National Meeting in Dallas. Always valuable to share insights with leaders who are focused on helping CEOs scale quickly and strategically. Looking forward to what’s ahead with Chief Outsiders and CEO Coaching International!
#Leadership #CEO #GrowthStrategy

Great to see strong partners together in Dallas last week.

Evan Nierman of Red Banyan and Adriana Lynch of Chief Outsiders connected at our National Meeting while leaders across our network gathered to share ideas and sharpen strategies for the CEOs we serve.

Appreciate the partnership with CEO Coaching International and the shared focus on helping leadership teams move faster and grow with clarity.

The brands people love? They're not the loudest. They're the most consistent.


In my latest article for Entrepreneurs'​ Organization, I break down why brand consistency isn't just a marketing tactic, but the foundation of long-term trust and recognition.

Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eJ3eTj9c
#BrandBuilding #Consistency #ReputationManagement

Open article: The Role of Consistency in Building a Recognizable Brand by eonetwork.org

A woman listens to a speaker at a learning event.

The Role of Consistency in Building a Recognizable Brand

Success brings attention—and scrutiny. One dismissive comment can create controversy that distracts from everything you’re doing right.

Here’s a take on Timothée Chalamet’s remarks about opera and ballet and the reputation lesson behind them.

#TimothéeChalamet #ReputationManagement #CrisisPR #MediaStrategy

Honored to appear as a speaker at this event!  Thank you to Jeffrey Bast, Brett M. Amron and the outstanding team at BAST AMRON LLP.

📣 BAST AMRON LLP‘s 8th Annual Business Advantage Forum is coming up on April 22, 2026!

Our SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT today is on Evan Nierman, Founder & CEO of Red Banyan. Evan is a crisis PR expert and best-selling author who leads Red Banyan, an award-winning strategic communications firm. With 25 years of experience in crisis and reputation management, Evan has guided top executives, public figures, global brands, and political leaders through complex, high-stakes challenges.

His expertise spans reputational risk, public scrutiny, and crisis response, and his insights are regularly sought by major media outlets covering today’s most pressing communications issues. Evan’s work focuses on helping leaders navigate difficult moments with clarity, strategy, and confidence.

For more information and to register and get your tickets, please visit https://lnkd.in/eUEFQRDe

FLORIDA BAR CLE CREDITS PENDING APPROVAL

You do not want to miss out on this great event!

#BastAmron
#BAForum2026
#BAInTheCommunity

ICE-related issues don’t just impact operations, they can shift public perception quickly. Leaders need to stay composed and act swiftly to control the narrative. Read our latest blog to learn how to prepare before the situation intensifies. #CrisisPR #ReputationManagement #ImmigrationEnforcement #RedBanyan

Immigration enforcement can put businesses in a tough spot fast.

If ICE-related activity touches a workplace, a deal, or sparks employee concern, leaders need to stay calm and coordinated: align with legal, communicate clearly internally, and stick to what is verified.

Our latest blog lays out a practical way to prepare ahead of time and respond responsibly if things escalate:
https://lnkd.in/e4B-nGk4

Open article: How Businesses Should Handle ICE-Related PR Risk by redbanyan.com

How Businesses Should Handle ICE-Related PR Risk

Professional Speaker, Wealth Management Founder, Generosity Consultant, Impactmaker

Generosity is a mindset, not an event.

- Bob DePasquale

Thriving organizations implement cultures of generosity that attract the best talent and the most loyal customers.  It's good business!

High-generosity people are 23% more likely to be satisfied with their lives overall!

*The Accent, 2019

Being generous makes everyone’s life better.  It doesn’t matter if you are the giver, the receiver, or just an on-looker.   

Bob learned this lesson at a very young age.  In fact, if it wasn’t for some generous acts, Bob likely wouldn’t be here today.  He has dedicated his life to empowering mission-driven organizations to build cultures of generosity that are made up of fulfilled employees and satisfied customers.

The Generosity Guy has worked professionally and in volunteer roles for 23 years, in three different countries, and in 17 states.

When Bob was given a cancer diagnosis and experienced the tragic events of 9/11 in New York City,  he thought not only his life over, but everyone else’s too.  He went from feeling like an invincible 18-year-old to an unworthy victim of life.  

What happened in the months and years following was truly miraculous - or was it generous?  The acts of generosity he experienced saved his life.  

Bob’s story is unique but his perspective resonates with anyone who wants to enjoy the work they do, give to others, and make a positive impact in the world.

Bob DePasquale, CFP®CAP® "The Generosity Guy" 😃

You think teamwork is something you learn at a company event but it's a lot harder than that.

The good news is you don't have to organize a special training to teach people.


🏐𝗩𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘃𝘀. 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘃𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 

Most people have enough trouble volleying a ball over a net with their hands...let alone their feet.

It's amazing how organized these guys are.

How do you think they got this good?


𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺

6 Things I noticed about these teams have/do...
and 6 ways to help your team...

1️⃣𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴
Notice who has the ball right now and where the next play needs to go.

2️⃣𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵
Believe your teammates will make a real effort and let go of the need to control every touch.

3️⃣𝘚𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘱
Pass information opportunities and credit in ways that make the next person’s job easier.

4️⃣𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘬
Speak up with ideas, try new approaches, and accept that a few plays will miss.

5️⃣𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵
Move toward problems not away from them and bring real energy instead of just showing up.

6️⃣𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
Call out what you see, ask for the ball, and keep everyone aligned on the next move.

You can always improve your teamwork just by doing the work. It's not a secret process.


𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲. 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?





==========

📩 Comment “generous” and I will send you an invite to my free 7 lesson Feeling Generous email course.
♻️ Share this with someone who thinks entrepreneurship automatically means time freedom.
🔔 Follow Bob DePasquale, CFP®CAP® for more on generous intentional work and life.
🎥from @𝘥𝘦𝘸𝘢_𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘳𝘢𝘸_𝘤𝘩_46 on IG

Bob DePasquale, CFP®CAP®

Keynote Speaker | Helping growth-oriented organizations attract top talent and the most loyal customers

Most people blame screen time for “brain rot” but that's a bad assumption. Consider this..

It’s not how much time you spend online.
It’s what that time does to your mind.

𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦:

If your feed is full of outrage, comparison, and complaints...

...it’s not just stealing your focus-it’s shaping your identity.

That endless scroll subtly teaches your brain what to care about.

Before long, you’re chasing dopamine hits from opinions, not purpose.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱:
(and your mental space)

🧠 Curate your follows like your diet. Limit junk, add nutrients.

🧩 Choose creators who make you think, not react.

👥 Engage with content that fosters generosity and connection.

📘 Replace complaint posts with learning and inspiration.

🎯 Remember your inputs define your perspective.


𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Encourage your team to curate intentionally, not passively scroll.

Teach them how algorithms work and how to shift them toward learning and purpose.

This one change can make people more joyful, more productive, and more connected online and offline.



📩 𝗗𝗠 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲.

==========

♻️ Share this to help others detox their digital environments.
🔔 Follow Bob DePasquale, for more on generous, human-centered leadership and culture.

People are tough to motivate now. The old ways are a waste of time.

If you want people to get things done, you have to change your systems.


𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

What truly matters 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 stand out.

𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯:

➡ ASAP
➡ got a sec
➡ quick question

You wonder why nothing feels important enough.


𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁:

The goal is not to make everything move faster.

It is to make fewer things feel urgent so that real priorities get your best energy.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵,
𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴.


𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

It kills:

Focus 🎯
Quality ✅
Calm confidence ☺️

😔And eventually, your joy at work 


𝗔 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵:

Set clear norms so only a small slice of communication gets the “urgent” label.

Everything else moves at a sane, sustainable pace.

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴:

People pay attention 👀
Respond quickly ⚡
And handle it with care 🤝

Start by shrinking the number of things that pretend to be urgent if you want more fruitful days.


📧DM for a link to my free 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 email course if you want help making your work more joyful.


==========

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🔔 Follow Bob DePasquale, CFP®CAP® for more.

"Brain breaks" are a waste of time.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢:

If you feel like your breaks don't help you reset, you might not be resting the way your brain actually needs.

You don't need more breaks. Just better ones.


𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲

Distracted scrolling breaks chip away at your focus and emotional regulation.

You bounce from hard work straight into overstimulation.

𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬?


𝗔 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲.

You want to step out of the task without blasting your brain with more noise.

What better breaks can look like:

➡️Short walks
➡️Light stretching
➡️Getting some fresh air
➡️Simple breathing exercises
➡️Brief conversations with teammates


𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀

Pause a virtual meeting for 5 minutes just to breathe together and reset before continuing.

That kind of break calms your system and offers clarity.

The goal is not taking 10 minutes go scroll your phone as a reward for grinding.


𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹

Step away from your desk and think of one thing you are thankful for.

This is not an escape but a healthy pleasure.


𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀?




📩 Comment “generous” and I will send you an invite to the free 7 lesson Feeling Generous email course.

==========

♻️ Share this with someone who is always exhausted even though they keep taking breaks.
🔔 Follow Bob DePasquale, CFP®CAP® for more on generous intentional work and life.

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