When a crisis hits, reputation is only

one of the things at stake.

As a proud Youngstown advocate and

the parent of an Ursuline alum, I’m heartbroken by the recent allegations coming out of Ursuline High School. I’ve walked those halls. I’ve cheered at those games. I know the strength of that community—and I also know how devastating it is when trusted institutions fail to act swiftly and transparently.

Sadly, this isn’t the first time I’ve encountered troubling behavior within our regional Catholic schools. And each time, I’ve watched as silence, denial, or a hope-it-goes-away mindset made everything worse. The damage deepens when leadership hesitates.

Let me be clear: crisis communications aren't about spin. It’s not about protecting a brand at all costs. It’s about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of your leadership when the spotlight is harshest.

I’ve lived through this from the other side of the microphone, too.

In 2007, I was brought on to manage communications for a local energy company after an unexpected gas pressure build-up caused a residential water well to erupt in Bainbridge, Ohio. While no one was injured, several homes had to be evacuated just days before the holidays. It was a frightening experience for the community—and a defining moment for the company.

We didn’t hide. We didn’t dodge questions. We didn’t wait. Within hours we had released a full media statement; notified and relocated affected families—on our dime; worked with local fire departments and ODNR; and proactively began winterizing homes, shutting off utilities, and installing temporary water systems. That’s crisis leadership. And it didn’t happen by accident—it happened because we had a plan.

You don’t have to have all the answers right away—but you do have to show up. For your people. For your values. For the community that trusted you in the first place.

If you don’t have a crisis plan, let this be your wake-up call. Don’t wait for the headline.

Because in moments like these, your first response becomes your legacy.

— Aundréa Cika Heschmeyer, President

I’ve always been fascinated by the world of package design—the kind that makes you stop, pick something up, and admire it before you even know what’s inside. Those clever details, bold colors, and unexpected textures have a way of telling a story on their own, and that’s what first drew me into design. 

Early in my career, I found myself designing packaging for anti-theft car devices and a handful of other products. The work pushed me into the world of clamshell-style packaging, where I had to balance two goals: making the product itself the star while also communicating its purpose in a clear, compelling way. It was the first time I realized how powerful packaging could be—not just as a container, but as a storyteller.

A few years later, I had the opportunity to design packaging for a Mediterranean deli. This project was a completely different challenge—where the goal wasn’t security or function, but appetite appeal. I had to think about how color, typography, and imagery could capture the freshness and flavor of the food while still feeling authentic to the deli’s identity. 

From the product photo shoot that took place in my home, to take-home package items, every detail had to spark that moment of desire and connection under the brand name we developed, Virdowni. Both experiences gave me the opportunity for dimensional design, and expanded my knowledge base beyond standard one-dimensional print design.

- Virdowni Brand and box packaging for Ghossain's Pita Pies.

Great display design also

deserves a second look.

Of course, great packaging doesn’t live in isolation—it lives in context. That’s where display design comes in. A well-executed display can transform even the most modest package into something magnetic. It’s about creating an environment where the product shines, whether it’s on a crowded retail shelf,

a deli counter, or a point-of-purchase stand. Display design extends the story that packaging begins: it guides the eye, sets the mood, and invites interaction.

In many ways, display design is the stage, and packaging is the actor. One without the other risks being overlooked. Together, they amplify each other, ensuring the product not only grabs attention but holds it long enough to create connection—and ultimately, a purchase.

A few examples....