Gayle Falkenthal on Lessons from San Diego Pride’s Leadership Crisis
Jul 15, 2025
What happens when internal dysfunction becomes public, and your biggest event of the year is just weeks away?That’s exactly what San Diego Pride has been dealing with. A public letter from staff and volunteers cited systemic leadership issues and a revolving door at the top, just as sponsors and city officials began pulling support. It’s a real-time example of how internal problems can spill into the headlines and trigger a full-blown crisis.In this episode of Digital PR Explained, I’m joined by Gayle Falkenthal, a nationally recognized crisis communications expert and president of Falcon Valley Group. Gayle walks us through how she would approach this kind of situation, from internal alignment to external messaging, and what nonprofit and event-based organizations can learn from it.Whether you’re managing a community event or preparing your crisis playbook, this episode is full of sharp, practical advice from someone who’s been in the trenches.
In this episode, we discuss:
What to do when an internal leadership issue becomes public
Why “hope is not a strategy” in crisis communications
How to rebuild trust with sponsors, staff, and the public
What should be said publicly vs. handled behind the scenes
The role of transparency and tough decision-making under pressure
Lessons from Gayle’s experience handling a major nonprofit scandal and recovery
About Gayle Falkenthal Gayle Falkenthal is President of Falcon Valley Group and one of the nation’s top crisis communications strategists. She has led high-pressure response efforts for the San Diego County District Attorney and the American Red Cross. With a background in journalism and decades of public sector PR experience, Gayle is known for her calm, no-nonsense approach to helping organizations navigate reputation-threatening challenges. She’s also an adjunct professor, columnist, and frequent media commentator.
