Join us for the 10th Annual International Crisis Management Conference

Presentation Description:

For decades, organizations have relied on predictable, step-by-step crisis response plans—whether for cyberattacks, PR disasters, or supply chain disruptions. But in the real world, crisis are messy, fast-moving, and often collide in unpredictable ways.

At ICMC 2025, Piyali Mandal, Founder and CEO of The Media Coach (a division of Chaturanga Simulations Co.), will present a new approach to crisis preparedness—built on calibrated and coordinated chaos.

This session will explore:

• Coordinated Chaos – Designing high-pressure simulations that replicate real-world unpredictability, forcing leadership teams to navigate misinformation storms, ethical dilemmas, and unexpected system failures—in real time.
• Calibrated Complexity – Striking the right balance between stress and overwhelm. Predictable scenarios offer comfort but no growth. Overwhelming chaos breaks systems without building resilience. The sweet spot? Simulations that challenge, stretch, and sharpen leadership cognition.
• Cognitive Resilience Over Response Plans – Why mental agility, not manuals, define successful crisis response in the age of AI-generated disinformation and rapidly collapsing communication channels.

Her session will answer:
How do we pressure-test cognitive resilience, not just crisis checklists?
How do we strike the balance between real challenge and manageable chaos?
How can simulations replicate real-time ethical dilemmas, misinformation storms, and curveballs that redefine decision-making under pressure?

With extensive experience working with corporate leadership teams, government agencies, Piyali brings frontline insights into how organizations can move beyond theory—and build true crisis readiness.

This isn’t theory. It’s real-world readiness for a world that doesn’t wait.

For decades, organizations have relied on predictable, step-by-step crisis response plans—whether for cyberattacks, PR disasters, or supply chain disruptions. But in the real world, crisis are messy, fast-moving, and often collide in unpredictable ways.

At ICMC 2025, Piyali Mandal, Founder and CEO of The Media Coach (a division of Chaturanga Simulations Co.), will present a new approach to crisis preparedness—built on calibrated and coordinated chaos.

This session will explore:

• Coordinated Chaos – Designing high-pressure simulations that replicate real-world unpredictability, forcing leadership teams to navigate misinformation storms, ethical dilemmas, and unexpected system failures—in real time.
• Calibrated Complexity – Striking the right balance between stress and overwhelm. Predictable scenarios offer comfort but no growth. Overwhelming chaos breaks systems without building resilience. The sweet spot? Simulations that challenge, stretch, and sharpen leadership cognition.
• Cognitive Resilience Over Response Plans – Why mental agility, not manuals, define successful crisis response in the age of AI-generated disinformation and rapidly collapsing communication channels.

Her session will answer:
How do we pressure-test cognitive resilience, not just crisis checklists?
How do we strike the balance between real challenge and manageable chaos?
How can simulations replicate real-time ethical dilemmas, misinformation storms, and curveballs that redefine decision-making under pressure?

With extensive experience working with corporate leadership teams, government agencies, Piyali brings frontline insights into how organizations can move beyond theory—and build true crisis readiness.

This isn’t theory. It’s real-world readiness for a world that doesn’t wait.

Speaker Bio:

Piyali Mandal is the Founder and CEO of The Media Coach, a division of Chaturanga Simulations Co., specializing in high-impact crisis communication and simulation training. A recognised force in the field, Piyali designs real-life crisis simulation exercises that cover reputational threats, operational disruptions, and cybersecurity crises, empowering leadership teams to respond decisively under pressure.

She was Director with FTI Consulting. With over 20 years of experience, 11 years working as a journalist with reputable organizations like Press Trust of India and Business Standard, and more than 9 years of experience advising corporates.

Having operated in media war rooms, corporate war rooms, and conflict zones as a counter-terrorism researcher, Piyali now leads a team that delivers immersive, high-stakes simulations—offering not just theory, but real-time decision-making under fire.

Piyali has conducted over 300 hours of crisis training for corporate leaders and government agencies, including Chief Information Security Officers from prestigious institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Informatics Centre (NIC), officers from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Disaster Management Institute, as well as members of the Indian Defence Forces. Her advisory work spans across various sectors, including chemicals industry, logistics, infrastructure, fin-tech, government, and disruptive technologies.

A graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE), she is deeply committed to advancing the field of communications, resilience, and crisis leadership.

Her mission: to help organizations stress-test their crisis muscles, so they are not just ready—but resilient.