Our leadership has built powerful reputations driving media, public affairs and corporate communication strategies.  We leverage strong relationships and a depth of experience to help our clients reach their most ambitious goals.

Tracy Slutzkin

Tracy Slutzkin is an innovative communication leader with an extensive  national network of media contacts. She has a depth of knowledge of news operations from a more than 20 year career in broadcasting at Cumulus Media, Westwood One, Fox and ABC News.  Tracy has reported and produced investigative news, spot-news, feature stories and news talk programming at some of the most influential media outlets in the U.S. She developed special segments with high-profile newsmakers including four U.S. Presidents. She has covered the RNC and DNC Conventions since 1996. Tracy also served as Program Director at WLS Radio in Chicago for four years.

She has developed and implemented successful media relations and digital strategies for companies such as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Zhongli North America, law firms and professional services organizations.  Tracy has earned several coveted industry awards for programming and news coverage, including being named one of the “Most Influential Women in Radio”. She has a B.S. in Communications from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Hayley Bierkle Burns

Hayley Burns is a communication, public affairs and public relations leader with a record of helping clients grow thoughtfully and strategically, aligned with their core principles, to achieve their biggest goals. Hayley also has a wealth of experience helping clients navigate through challenging times, often turning crisis and unexpected obstacles into opportunity. Hayley has built successful communication and growth strategies for clients in some of the toughest political and business environments including cyber-security, education, and various high-impact public affairs issues. Among Hayley's expertise is a keen understanding of leveraging the broad-spectrum of earned media opportunities to drive an organization’s credibility and reach.

In addition to her role as partner at River Strategies, Hayley is co-founder of Lincoln Forum, a non-partisan public affairs event series launched in 2017, aimed at offering a platform for sensible, solution-based discussion.  Since its launch, Lincoln Forum has hosted two Illinois governors, a Chicago mayoral debate, a former vice-president, award winning authors, various media panels, mayors, business leaders and more.  Lincoln Forum has partnered with POLITICO and Crain’s, and has been covered in various media outlets.

Hayley’s career began in broadcast journalism where she covered business, international breaking news and politics at NBC Chicago, Fox News Chicago and CNN.  Hayley has a master’s degree in Public Affairs Journalism from Columbia College and a B.S. in Communication from Regis University in Denver.