jamieracklyeft.com

Hey, it’s Jamie!

I’m Jamie Racklyeft – Communication Counselor, Strategist, Designer, Presenter, Trainer, Mentor & Coach.

For more than 30 years, I’ve helped communication professionals and leaders in research, nonprofit, Fortune 500 retail, health care, academia, government, and entrepreneurial environments.

Now, I’m sharing the best of that knowledge with ambitious communicators and leaders like you who want to get ahead in your career a little faster, applying communication as the secret sauce.

A bit about my journey

Starting out in photography led to writing, editing, video production, graphic design, desktop publishing, presentation development, meeting and event planning, and more.

At one point, I worked for nine newspapers as a photojournalist and started a tenth, just for fun.

I eventually combined all these things I love into a communication career, helping organizations grow and professionals like you get promoted and feel more fulfilled.

I have so many insights and stories that I can’t wait to share with you!

You can read a bit more about my journey here (and yes, Journey is my favorite 80s band).

Speechless

I used to get out of giving speeches in high school speech class by going to McDonald’s for the speech teacher, yet now I actually love giving presentations and media interviews (and, I’m still lovin’ McDonald’s).

Now I want to share with you the best of what I know through valuable digital online courses, resources, and freebies to help you accelerate your communication career progress AND achieve more success and fulfillment in all areas of your life.

Jamie Racklyeft being interviewed by Cynthia Canty on NPR affiliate Michigan Radio's Stateside program

Jamie Racklyeft on stage wearing lifejacket presenting the first TED talk on water safety

Why Jamie? Here are some kind words from some kind people he has helped over the years

Jamie's presentation on AI in Comms was soooo great! That evening I had GPT tell my 6YO a custom story about unicorns while she had Midjourney create coloring pages with a unicorn. Excellent stuff!!!

Nicole Smith, Web Designer/Administrator
Jamie is a front-runner in the field of communication and has been for decades. His passion for focusing on both internal as well as external communication, and his strength in strategizing really helped our organization grow in ways both tangible and cultural.

Aalap Doshi, Human-Centered Designer
Jamie is one of the most talented communications professionals I've met. He is very skilled at multiple media types and collaborated on some of the most successful presentations I've given in my career. Jamie also has a consistently upbeat and positive style that fosters creativity and contributes to a great culture.

Rick Vanzura, CEO
Jamie is a gifted and talented communicator. He has a great ability to pull together disparate ideas and build cohesive presentations and communiques.

Cathy DeLucia, Retail Leader
Jamie is an expert at working with a variety of individuals in often stressful situations, specializing at making the impossible...possible!

Tina Braid, Board Relations Director
The thing that most impresses me about Jamie is his strategic approach to communications. He's enthusiastic about his work and takes steps to educate others, through teaching and volunteer work. Jamie is a hard-working, caring person and it is a pleasure to know him.

Nancy Sarpolis, Strategic Communications President
Jamie has a high degree of integrity and intelligence. He could always be counted on to provide solid direction in all communications.

Ron Staffieri, CEO
In my experience, Jamie carries a rare balance of talent: he's innovative, practical, and has a bias toward action.

Carolynne Bernard Thomas, Communication & Leadership Consultant/Partner
Jamie's leadership skills are unmatched. He empowers his staff to make decisions, supports professional growth and inspires excellence. I consider him a mentor and appreciate his guidance on my career path in communications.

Dave Stanis, Senior Manager
I remember the launch of The Be@t (e-newsletter) like it was yesterday, sitting in the All Hands Meeting and hearing Martha Reeves and the Vandellas singing ‘Are you ready for a brand new beat?’ This is just one example of how Jamie’s approach embraces humor, creativity and simplicity when conveying a new concept.

Kristin Boorse, Vice President
Kind and caring, he has a great attitude and is a pleasure to work for and with. Jamie’s greatest strengths lie in strategic communication, leadership messaging, and public speaking.

Nicole Bonomini, Communicator/Storyteller
Jamie's work is always top notch. He has a very calm personality, which is a real asset when you have multiple people making multiple changes minutes before a big presentation. Jamie was also willing to help out and provide needed tools on an individual level.

Ray Dinterman, Retail Leader
Jamie's openness to exploring all options related to a communications initiative was both refreshing and rewarding. He consistently displayed a commitment to delivering the most effective message possible by first understanding the needs of the customer and the message recipient.

Bob Edington, Digital Content Executive
Jamie is an engaging presenter and well-rounded communications professional. He is actively involved in the local community, volunteering as a mentor for student members.

Elin Nozewski, Communications VP
Jamie is adept at assisting managers and executives at widely varying levels of comfort and native aptitude to craft and deliver effective communications, both in writing and for spoken presentation.

Susan Harwood, CIO, VP
At Borders Books, Jamie was extremely creative and found unique ways to present compelling ideas. He worked closely with leadership to ensure that we were communicating vision, key initiatives, and tactical direction to all levels.

Tami Heim, President
Jamie’s advice was sought after all the way up to our top executives as he worked with them to develop comprehensive communication plans designed to support the company’s mission and vision. He is easy to work with and to work for.

Andrea Smith-Ruff, Jamie’s Communication Specialist for 20 years
What really helps him stand out are 3 things. The first is his strategic thinking, the second is his empathy, and the third is his broad technical knowledge.

Jamie Myles, Executive Director
You are my hero for all you have done to save lives across the Great Lakes. We could never have imagined to be at this place without your never ending efforts.

Guy Meadows, PhD, Research Professor

My calling

Since being saved at the last second from drowning in a Great Lakes rip current by two brave strangers in a commandeered kayak, I am committed to giving back and paying my good fortune forward in many ways, including founding the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium, a nonprofit community of drowning prevention experts and advocates working together to help people safely enjoy the water.

I later got married back on that beach where I nearly drowned – a day symbolic of second chances, at life and at love.

I’ve since stepped down from leading the Consortium and am now giving back in new ways, including sharing my insights on strategic communication design to help you get ahead.

Life is good

Born and raised in Michigan, I attended great schools; earned a bachelor’s degree majoring in communication, psychology, and art history and a master’s degree in educational technology; worked with hundreds of wonderful people; and learned to be a voracious learner.

Today I live with the love of my life Susie, a professor of media communication arts; our brilliant and talented son Johnny, new to the communication field serving an award-winning PBS and NPR affiliate; and our adorable humane society hybrid dog Mackie, who has his own ways of communicating.

I still love my day job at the University of Michigan and spending evenings and weekends offering ways for you become an even better communicator – at work and at home – and to help you live the life of your dreams. Let me be your Communication Counselor.

Interested?

Everything communicates. Even not communicating (whoa).

I want to share the art & science of being an elite communicator to help you grow and advance more quickly.

Are you an ambitious communicator? Are you committed to continuous improvement and getting the most out of life?

Let me help you become indispensable and speed up your success. No matter where you are in your career, I can help you go further, faster.

Are you interested?

Click the button below to join my growing community of communication professionals and leaders.

Take one simple action step toward a better future (and, get some nice perks).

JOIN

Hey, it’s Jamie!

A bit about my journey

Speechless

Jamie's presentation on AI in Comms was soooo great! That evening I had GPT tell my 6YO a custom story about unicorns while she had Midjourney create coloring pages with a unicorn. Excellent stuff!!!

Jamie is a front-runner in the field of communication and has been for decades. His passion for focusing on both internal as well as external communication, and his strength in strategizing really helped our organization grow in ways both tangible and cultural.

Jamie is a gifted and talented communicator. He has a great ability to pull together disparate ideas and build cohesive presentations and communiques.

Jamie is an expert at working with a variety of individuals in often stressful situations, specializing at making the impossible...possible!

The thing that most impresses me about Jamie is his strategic approach to communications. He's enthusiastic about his work and takes steps to educate others, through teaching and volunteer work. Jamie is a hard-working, caring person and it is a pleasure to know him.

Jamie has a high degree of integrity and intelligence. He could always be counted on to provide solid direction in all communications.

In my experience, Jamie carries a rare balance of talent: he's innovative, practical, and has a bias toward action.

Jamie's leadership skills are unmatched. He empowers his staff to make decisions, supports professional growth and inspires excellence. I consider him a mentor and appreciate his guidance on my career path in communications.

Kind and caring, he has a great attitude and is a pleasure to work for and with. Jamie’s greatest strengths lie in strategic communication, leadership messaging, and public speaking.

Jamie's work is always top notch. He has a very calm personality, which is a real asset when you have multiple people making multiple changes minutes before a big presentation. Jamie was also willing to help out and provide needed tools on an individual level.

Jamie's openness to exploring all options related to a communications initiative was both refreshing and rewarding. He consistently displayed a commitment to delivering the most effective message possible by first understanding the needs of the customer and the message recipient.

Jamie is an engaging presenter and well-rounded communications professional. He is actively involved in the local community, volunteering as a mentor for student members.

Jamie is adept at assisting managers and executives at widely varying levels of comfort and native aptitude to craft and deliver effective communications, both in writing and for spoken presentation.

At Borders Books, Jamie was extremely creative and found unique ways to present compelling ideas. He worked closely with leadership to ensure that we were communicating vision, key initiatives, and tactical direction to all levels.

Jamie’s advice was sought after all the way up to our top executives as he worked with them to develop comprehensive communication plans designed to support the company’s mission and vision. He is easy to work with and to work for.

What really helps him stand out are 3 things. The first is his strategic thinking, the second is his empathy, and the third is his broad technical knowledge.

You are my hero for all you have done to save lives across the Great Lakes. We could never have imagined to be at this place without your never ending efforts.

My calling

Life is good

Interested?