Kelly A. Nantel

Kelly Nantel is a seasoned public relations and communications executive with more than 25 years of experience leading high-stakes media relations, reputation management, and crisis response for major organizations in both the public and private sectors.

Currently serving as Director of Global Media Relations and Trust & Reputation at Amazon, Kelly leads a team focused on navigating complex issues, protecting corporate reputation, and shaping narratives across some of the most scrutinized areas of modern business—from sustainability and labor to policy and innovation. She serves as Amazon’s principal spokesperson on crisis-related matters and helped build and scale the company’s global issues management and crisis communications function from the ground up.

Before Amazon, Kelly directed communications for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), where she managed public affairs for dozens of major accident investigations, including the deadly crashes of Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship II, Asiana Airlines Flight 214, and the Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia. And at Amazon, she led crisis communications following the tornado that destroyed the company’s Edwardsville, IL, facility, resulting in the tragic loss of six teammates.

Her career also includes leading national advocacy campaigns at the National Safety Council, where she built coalitions and ran media efforts that generated billions of earned impressions, and serving as the press secretary at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where she coordinated with the White House on high-profile national security issues.

Kelly is known not only for her ability to manage sensitive, high-impact events with composure and clarity, but also for her focus on developing the next generation of communications leaders. She’s built rotational leadership programs and measurement systems that have elevated relationship-building with the press and improved how organizations understand and respond to reputational risk.

Whether she's coaching executives through a tough press cycle, managing breaking news, or mentoring rising communicators, Kelly brings strategic foresight, authenticity, and a deep commitment to public trust.