Crisis Communication Hedge Fund motivates graduate student research

On April 14 at Grady College, Hedge Fund: Venture Between the Hedges, once again helped contribute to the graduate Crisis Communication and Strategic Conflict Management course at Grady College. In its second year, the new “Shark Tank” inspired competition,  funded by a group of industry leaders, had student teams develop theory-based strategies for problem solving in the world of crisis communications.

The Hedge Fund competition started with a scenario challenge from the investors. The student teams were tasked with developing potential strategies for Yosemite National Park, as the cut in federal funding has created serious questions about how to keep the parks safe and operational. Based on their strategies, teams had to develop research questions and plans on what new insights they would feel are most impactful from the situation at hand.

The teams presented their projects to five industry executives, one of which was “Head Shark” Jason Anthoine (ABJ ‘89). Anthoine is a core partner of the Crisis Communication Think Tank (CCTT) and member of the Grady College Board of Trust. Anthoine; Yan Jin, Yarbrough Professor in Crisis Communication Leadership; and Missy Hill, Grady director of corporate engagement, worked to put the capstone event together and encouraged other industry leaders to support the program.

The winning team was made up of Chloe Calvert, Lauren Flaker, Kaylan Mitchell, Anne-Marie Pollacia and Jiyoung Yeon. They focused on how humor is understudied when it comes to crisis, risk and disaster communication strategies, and when the best time to implement humor and when it is appropriate to stop.

The team will use the funds to carry out a research project with the Crisis Insights & Analytics Lab at the CCTT.

“Our students appreciate the unique opportunity of learning from and interacting with all the industry leading lights in our investor group,” said Jin, who also directs the new Crisis, Risk, and Disaster Communication (CRDC) graduate certificate program. “The Hedge Fund model we co-created at UGA has become a game changer of graduate education innovation nationwide and globally, rooted in our practice of academia-industry and cross-disciplinary collaborations.”

The investor group included Jason Anthoine (Jason Anthoine Employee Experienced), Lauren Banks (Zeno Group), Chris Berger (Atrium Health), Jennifer Bowcock (RealPage), and Shana Keith (Cox). Keith, in her first year as a Hedge Fund investor, talks about her experience.

“The Georgia Bulldogs are amazing on and off the field,” Bowcock said. “I was fascinated by the research and planning of all the crisis communications students presented during the challenge, but the winners stood out in how they addressed humor during a crisis. They knew when to turn it on to drive buzz and when to turn it off during a crisis. One student said it best … ‘humor is for readiness and not for the response.’”

“I was thoroughly impressed by the crisis communications plans and research proposals showcased at the 2025 Hedge Fund event,” said Keith. “The teams exhibited outstanding strategy, creativity, and professionalism. I’m particularly excited about the research on the impact of humor in crisis situations, as this unique perspective promises significant benefits for the industry. Already looking forward to next year’s event!”

Author: River Gracey, river.gracey@uga.edu