Jim Olson

Jim Olson has over 28 years of professional experience in the communications and public relations industry. Jim began their career in 1992 as an Advertising and Public Affairs Coordinator at J.D. Power. In 1993, they joined Nissan Motor Corporation as a Communications and Digital Strategy Consultant. In 2000, Jim became the Vice President of Corporate Communications for Overture Services, Inc. (Yahoo! Inc.). In 2004, they moved to WE Communications as a Senior Vice President and Global Corporate Practice Leader. In 2008, Jim took on the role of Vice President, Corporate Communications at US Airways. In 2011, they became the Vice President, Global Corporate Communications at Starbucks Coffee Company. In 2016, Jim was appointed as the SVP, Corporate Communications (Chief Communications Officer) at United Airlines. In 2018, they took a mid-career global sabbatical, during which they served as an Executive in Residence at the African Leadership University in Mauritius, a Professor of Practice in Public Relations at Syracuse University, and as interim CCO at Steward Health Care. In 2021, Jim became the Head of Communications at Avelo Airlines.

Jim Olson attended Syracuse University from 1988 to 1991, where they earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations. Jim then attended the University of Southern California from 2000 to 2002, where they earned an MBA. In 2008, they earned a Certificate in Airline Disaster Communications Management from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).