July 31st 2025 @ 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Overview
In today’s fast-paced and hyperconnected world, a crisis can develop in a matter of minutes. Having a clear playbook of how to communicate to the public and understanding the various spillover effects is crucial to staying ahead of the fallout. PRINZ are delighted to be collaborating with our tertiary partner AUT to bring you a fascinating panel discussion on this important facet of communications headed by one of the most influential international thought leaders on the subject while she is visiting Aotearoa. Join us for an insightful panel discussion with Yijing Wang Ph.D., alongside senior PRINZ members Julien Leys FPRINZ and Dee Crooks, exploring how organisations can navigate high-stakes moments, manage public perception, and mitigate the unexpected spillover impacts that can follow a crisis. Whether you work in comms, leadership, or crisis management, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
This event is free for PRINZ members and AUT Students and there will be drinks and nibbles provided.
This event is in collaboration with Auckland University of Technology
Your panellists are…
Yijing Wang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Yijing Wang, Ph.D. is a strategic communication scholar specialized in the study of crisis communication and sustainability transition. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam. She serves as Chair of the ECREA Risk and Crisis Communication Section, Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Reputation Review, and Editorial Board Member of Public Relations Review and Business Horizons. She is the Principal Investigator and Coordinator of the Horizon Europe project CUES (EUR 6.5 million, 2024-2028), a Management Committee Member of the COST Action project Alert Hub (EUR 500,000, 2024-2028), and a member of the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT). Yijing obtained her PhD degree in Corporate Reputation and Stakeholder Management from Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam, ranked among the top 1% of business schools worldwide. She is the author of international publications in leading field journals such as the Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of International Management, Business Horizons, Convergence, Public Relations Review, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, Journal of Communication Management, International Journal of Communication, and Media and Communication.
Julien Leys, Director, Pendulum Strategies
Julien has over 24 years’ communications experience working in both the private and public sectors.
Following completion of a First-Class Master’s Degree in Law, Julien was appointed as the legal and political adviser to the Minister of Local Government in New Zealand’s first MMP Parliament.
After senior positions with leading communications agencies, Julien established an award-winning consultancy PR Partners which he ran for 10 years. In 2014 PR Partners was merged with Trans-Tasman consultancy SenateSHJ where Julien was the General Manager, Board Member and a senior Partner until March 2019. Julien left to establish Pendulum Strategies as a strategic corporate communications consultancy with a client list covering energy, transport, government affairs, financial services, horticulture, technology, education and healthcare sectors in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Julien is a specialist in crisis and issues management, media relations, and government relations. He has extensive experience in assisting major clients with complex issues as well as successfully managing crises across the energy, pharmaceutical, transport, public utility, labour hire, technology and food / hospitality sectors.
He also has extensive experience working with the building and construction sector and was appointed as the Chief Executive of the Building Industry Federation in 2019.
Julien is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, and a Past Chair of the College of Fellows. He also regularly presents as part of the APR course.
Dee Crooks, General Manager, ProCare
Dee Crooks is an award-winning marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years’ experience across diverse sectors, including health, property, finance, insurance, professional services, and retail.
Her expertise spans a wide range of disciplines, including external and internal communications, advocacy, sustainability, brand strategy, and marketing. Dee‘s core specialisation and passion lie in media relations, reputation management, and navigating complex issues and crises with strategic precision.
Before joining ProCare, Dee served as Corporate Communications Director at the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) and as Head of Communications & PR at AMP New Zealand. Her career also includes working for major financial services providers in Auckland and London, as well as contributing her expertise to industry bodies and public relations agencies.
Dee holds a Bachelor of Communications (BCS) from the Auckland University of Technology, with a major in public relations and event management.
