Cathy Dunkin is a Professor of Practice in Management Communication at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. She teaches communication courses for graduate students and business executives, helping them communicate ideas effectively when preparing written business communication or oral presentations. Olin’s communication courses help students gain important insights about understanding diverse stakeholders, creating effective speech and presentation content, preparing persuasive arguments, and developing professional leadership brands and executive presence.

Before joining the Olin faculty in 2013, Cathy founded and built a public relations firm, Standing Partnership, recognized for its positive employee culture, exceptional client results, and innovative leadership as a partner in the global Worldcom Public Relations Group. Cathy and her team at Standing were recognized nationally for creativity, company management and growth, and creating a great place to work. She previously held positions with Fortune 500 companies and global agencies in St. Louis, Chicago, and Dallas. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

In addition to teaching, Cathy consults and coaches select clients to help them achieve organizational goals through strategic planning, message development, and program implementation. She develops and conducts coaching sessions and training programs on executive presence and media spokesperson skills, public speaking ability, and presentation effectiveness.

A member of the Public Relations Society of America, Cathy was accredited in 1990 and became a Fellow in 2016. She actively supports industry professional associations and has served on civic and charity boards including United Way of Greater St. Louis, Variety the Children’s Charity, St. Louis Forum, St. Louis Regional Chamber, and Ignite Theatre Company.