Carolyn Grisko has been president of Carolyn Grisko & Associates Inc., providing public relations, issues management and marketing services to government, business and nonprofit organizations since 1995.

Carolyn worked for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for five years, beginning in 1990. She first served as his deputy press secretary, where she wrote speeches, developed public awareness campaigns, handled media relations and shared responsibility for supervising a staff of 20.
 
She later served as director of the Mayor’s Fellows Program, working with a board of CEOs representing some of Chicago’s largest companies to improve the delivery of city services through a loaned executive program. She was also a project manager on initiatives like the establishment of a city-wide recycling program and a legislative support campaign related to aviation.

Carolyn was Mayor Daley’s campaign manager in his successful 1995 re-election bid, overseeing message, research, staff and a $3 million budget.

Before entering government, Carolyn was a familiar voice on WBEZ-FM, Chicago’s Public Radio Station. She worked there for 10 years as an award-winning political reporter, news director and host of the program One Flight Up, a wide-ranging issues program with guests ranging from Jimmy Carter to Peggy Noonan. She also hosted a weekly Reporter’s Notebook session with local political reporters.

Throughout her tenure at WBEZ, she also hosted a weekly public affairs call-in program on WLS-AM and regularly contributed to National Public Radio, where she was recognized with several news awards. In addition to her radio experience, Carolyn worked on the television end at WGN.

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University in secondary education and speech and performing arts.

Carolyn is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, Emeritus Member of the Public Allies Chicago Board, member of the Economic Club of Chicago and a Board member for the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health.