Jaime Hunt sits down with Joseph Brennan, Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Montclair State University, for a raw and riveting conversation on what it really means to counsel a university president. With over three decades in higher ed and experience advising 13 university presidents, Brennan shares how the role of CMO has evolved from tactician to trusted strategic advisor—and why communication professionals must develop executive presence, business fluency, and emotional intelligence to lead in today’s high-pressure environment.
Jaime Hunt sits down with Joseph Brennan, Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Montclair State University, for a raw and riveting conversation on what it really means to counsel a university president. With over three decades in higher ed and experience advising 13 university presidents, Brennan shares how the role of CMO has evolved from tactician to trusted strategic advisor—and why communication professionals must develop executive presence, business fluency, and emotional intelligence to lead in today’s high-pressure environment.
Guest Name: Joseph A. Brennan, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Montclair State University
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoebrennan/
Guest Bio: Joseph A. Brennan is Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Montclair State University, where he's proven that authentic storytelling works. He and his team have built a warm and genuine brand and brought it to life with narratives delivered across paid, earned, social and owned media, and designed innovative, data-driven campaigns that produced ROAS of nearly 7 to 1. Their award winning work has contributed to record enrollment for 4 successive years. Over three decades as a higher education communications and marketing executive, Joe has learned to put people first, because when team members feel seen and respected, they produce outstanding results. He's counseled 13 presidents, navigated major crises from international social media incidents to nationally publicized controversies, and directed high profile statewide campaigns to influence higher education policy in two states, but he's equally passionate about the quieter daily work of building teams where people want to stay and grow.
His leadership philosophy? Treat mistakes as learning opportunities, not firing offenses. Create psychological safety so that innovation can flourish. Use humor appropriately. Show up as a whole human being, not just a job title. Meet people where they are, not where you think they should be. This approach extends beyond the office. Joe is a registered yoga teacher and meditation guide who believes mindfulness practices make leaders more effective, not less focused. He's currently earning his executive coaching certification, building on years of mentoring colleagues through career transitions and workplace challenges. Joe's mission is simple: help leaders create workplaces where talented people thrive, not just survive. When people feel valued and supported, everything else gets better. He's authored nearly 20 articles, been elected to the PRSA College of Fellows, and won national awards for "public relations campaign of the year" and "best website overhaul."