Deborah Hileman Named CSCE Fellow for Four Decades of Strategic Leadership and Global Contribution to Crisis Communication
The Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence (CSCE) has named Deborah Hileman SCMP, GCSCE, CCMC a CSCE Fellow – the highest honour awarded by the CSCE. The Fellowship recognises her enduring impact on the global communication profession, her leadership in crisis and risk communication, and her unwavering commitment to mentoring and ethical practice.
With a career spanning more than 40 years, Deborah has influenced how organisations prepare for and navigate complex challenges. Her work has shaped professional standards, elevated the practice of crisis communication, and helped strengthen the credibility of the profession worldwide.
CSCE co-founder Sia Papageorgiou FRSA, FCSCE, SCMP said:
“Throughout her career, Deb Hileman has built trust in moments that matter most. She’s shaped how leaders navigate uncertainty, how communication professionals grow in confidence, and how ethical standards become embedded and sustained. Her leadership is steady and grounded, anchored in service and substance over visibility. Whether guiding organisations through crisis or quietly mentoring the next generation, Deb’s influence endures – a reflection of deep intention, care, and a strong sense of humanity. Recognising her as a CSCE Fellow acknowledges not just her achievements, but the thoughtful, values-driven way she’s elevated our profession – one conversation, one commitment at a time.”
A longtime advocate for certification and professional development, Deb served as Chair of the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) and currently serves as Vice Chair. She was among the first professionals globally to earn the SCMP and CMP designations and has played a central role in shaping global standards in strategic communication.
Deb has led complex communication efforts in both corporate and consulting environments, including her current role as President and CEO of the Institute for Crisis Management®. Her leadership has helped organisations through IPOs, restructuring, and reputational recovery, while consistently advancing the role of communication as a strategic function.
She has contributed extensively to the profession’s knowledge base through thought leadership, publishing an annual crisis communication report since 2014 and writing widely cited chapters and articles on stakeholder engagement and crisis response. She has also guest lectured at leading universities and spoken at major conferences around the world.
CSCE co-founder Adrian Cropley OAM, FRSA, IABC Fellow, GCSCE, SCMP added:
“Deb Hileman is the definition of what it means to be a strategic communication leader. With four decades of impact, she has shaped the field through her thought leadership in crisis communication, board service, and unwavering commitment to ethical practice. Her influence spans the globe – from mentoring hundreds to advancing global certification standards and transforming organisations during times of crisis. Deb’s integrity, servant leadership, and generosity as a mentor embody the very spirit of the CSCE Fellowship. Celebrating her enduring contributions to our profession and the countless communication professionals whose lives she has touched is a privilege.”
Deb’s influence is felt not only through her professional achievements but in her deep commitment to service. She has mentored hundreds of professionals and volunteered her time on boards, in classrooms, and across the communication community – always with a focus on lifting others.
As a CSCE Fellow, Deb joins a select group of professionals whose work has helped shape the future of strategic communication through meaningful, measurable, and lasting impact.
