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Nancy J. Sterling, APR, Fellow PRSA

Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications

NJSterling@mlstrategies.com

+1.617.348.1811

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Nancy is Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications at ML Strategies. She has a wide-ranging practice that includes reputation management, strategic public relations consulting, community relations, and litigation support. She specializes in crisis communications, where she has counseled clients in both the private and public sectors. Clients have ranged from Fortune Five companies to individuals in need of comprehensive and immediate PR services. Nancy has handled controversies surrounding criminal and civil charges, employee accidents and deaths, sexual harassment and abuse, financial improprieties, and labor and employment issues, including strikes, among many others.

As a crisis counselor, Nancy has particular experience in the fields of business, construction and real estate, education, health care, and bankruptcy. She has helped organizations communicate during restructurings, takeovers, and buy-outs. Nancy also designs crisis communication plans to help organizations avoid crises and effectively manage through them should they occur. In addition she provides media training for executives to help them effectively navigate national print, broadcast and social media.

Nancy is a member of various firm multi-disciplinary practice groups. Her education practice consists of counseling clients in both secondary and higher education in the area of communications strategy. As a former acting vice president at Boston University, Nancy managed the public relations, marketing, new media, and related departments for the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. She was also the Acting Director of Communications at Phillips Academy, Andover.

Nancy also has broad experience in proactive public relations, promoting everything from real estate development to food-related products to biotech treatments. Before joining ML Strategies, Nancy was director of community relations for Mount Auburn Hospital, a Harvard teaching facility. Earlier, she was director of communications/chief spokesperson for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), a 7,000-person transit system. She was also director of informational services and chief spokesperson for the Boston Police Department, where she was the first woman on the command staff.

Nancy began her career as a news writer for WCVB-TV, Boston (ABC), where she advanced to assignment editor and series/field producer. She held a similar position at the CBS affiliate in Boston before becoming planning editor at WOR-TV in New York City.

She has lectured widely on media and crisis communications. Nancy has taught crisis communications at Curry College and Lasell University.

Education

  • Boston University (MA)
  • Boston College (BS)

Recognition & Awards

  • 2018 PRSA Boston Diane Davis Beacon Award Honoree, the chapter's highest award

  • Numerous Client Campaign Awards, PR Club of New England

Involvement

  • Member, Public Relations Society of America, College of Fellows (APR Accreditation)
  • Co-President, Community Center of Needham, Inc.
  • Member, American Ireland Fund, Boston Dinner Committee
  • Former Ethics officer, Boston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America
  • Past Board member, BUILD, Boston
  • Past Member, Alumni Board of Boston University College of Communications
  • Past president, Boston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America
  • Past board member, Publicity Club of New England
  • Past board member, Cambridge Children and Family Service

Recent Insights

News & Press

Events

Viewpoints

News Thumbnail MLS
Nancy Sterling was interviewed as a crisis expert on the Celtics scandal by local CBS affiliate WBZ-TV.

News & Press

News Thumbnail MLS
In an article published by The Real Deal, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications of ML Strategies Nancy J. Sterling was quoted on behalf of client Frank Sciame, the founder and CEO of Sciame Construction, on his recent purchase of the Cashelmara Estate and potential development plans for the property.
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In an article published by ABC News, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications of ML Strategies Nancy J. Sterling was quoted on behalf of client the State Police Association of Massachusetts in response to concerns that members are declining to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Ms. Sterling stated that she has not seen any hesitancy toward the vaccine within the union, and added that many officers may have received the vaccine at other sites, rather than police-designated ones.
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Communication Outlets: Challenges and Opportunities

January 5, 2021 | American Health Law Association

Mintz Member M. Daria Niewenhous co-authored an American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) Business Law and Governance Practice Group Briefing that featured a Q&A discussion with two strategic communications and media experts, including Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications of ML Strategies Nancy J. Sterling, APR, Fellow PRSA, offering insights on best practices for proactive and reactive media communications for healthcare organizations.
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Au Pairs Caught Between Work and a Pandemic

April 2, 2020 | The New York Times

In an article published by The New York Times, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications of ML Strategies Nancy J. Sterling was quoted on behalf of client Au Pair in America, a federally approved organization that helps match au pairs and host families, on resources and support provided to both families and au pairs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nancy Sterling, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications at ML Strategies, shares her insights around crisis communication in this Q&A with PRSA Boston Buzz.

Events

Sep
29
2021

The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Public Relations Society of America - Boston

Virtual Event