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Nicole Heyder
Managing Director and Head of Communications, Germany, Berlin
Nicole Heyder is a leading crisis communications expert with 25 years of experience advising companies in business-critical situations. Her clients range from DAX-listed corporations to prominent family-owned businesses and dynamic start-ups. She brings deep expertise in identifying risk structures and developing strategies that protect companies from financial and reputational damage.
A strategic thinker and seasoned communicator, Nicole leads Rud Pedersen’s growing Communications practice in Germany. Her team supports clients in Public Relations, Corporate Affairs, Communications Strategy, and in navigating crises and transformation processes.
Nicole lectures at Quadriga University and the German Press Academy (depak) and serves as an internal coach at Deutsche Bahn AG. She is also a certified systemic coach and presenter.
She began her career after studying Bohemian Studies and Political Science, managing political campaigns—including the German government’s EU enlargement campaign under then-government spokesman Béla Anda. Prior to joining Rud Pedersen, she was Managing Director for Crisis Communications at the Berlin office of a global PR agency.