Gabrielle is a globally minded thinker with experience in bridging public and private sector interests. Prior to her MBA, she managed multi-million dollar grant portfolios for various foundations with the goal of increasing home ownership opportunities in marginalized communities. Her data analytics skills allowed for the foundations she worked with to make concentrated investments to nonprofits that deepened impact. 

Her work in philanthropy was enhanced by her service on the Mayor of Boston’s Millennial Council and her participation in the PLACES Fellowship where she was trained on equitable grant making. Her focus at Kellogg is on developing sustainable public-private partnerships and increasing opportunities for entrepreneurial growth in emerging markets. On campus, she participates in the Entrepreneurship, Net Impact, Wilderness, and Impact Consulting Clubs. Outside of Kellogg, she serves on the board of UNICEF Next-Generation Chicago and manages her nonprofit organization focused on black women’s health. 

Payal is a strategic communications leader, multilingual media spokesperson and crisis management expert. As founder of Audacity Communications, she provides consultancy to national and global brands and organizations, empowering them to turn their greatest crises into invaluable opportunities. Prior to launching her business, Payal spearheaded marketing and communications efforts and served as the chief spokesperson for Navy Pier, one of the top-attended destinations in the world. She has also previously held PR leadership roles at the NFL Players Association – Chicago and other sports organizations.

In 2020, Payal was named to the PR NEWS Top Women in PR list and internationally recognized for her work in crisis management. In 2016, she was honored at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. as part of the 30 Under 30 list. A passionate advocate for equity and access to education and women’s economic empowerment, Payal devoutly supports philanthropic efforts for Room to Read and Dress for Success. In addition, she serves on the boards for UN Women and the Publicity Club of Chicago. Payal holds a Master of Science in Communication (emphasis in Crisis Management) from Northwestern University, where she is set to serve as an adjunct professor, and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, and Spanish Language and Literature from Marquette University.