team jta

Susana Leyva is a communication professional with 20 years of diverse corporate experience. She has a track record for high-impact results in launching and strengthening brand loyalty for consumer products in local, national and international marketplaces.

At United Airlines, she was responsible for the implementation of global, integrated consumer media campaigns to promote United as the airline of choice in 17 major markets around the world. She also designed a highly successful national campaign to promote the construction of new runways at key North American airports.

At JTA, Susana led a yearlong effort to launch a new destination restaurant in Millennium Park. The comprehensive media campaign reached millions of broadcast viewers and saw continuous print coverage, while the restaurant earned prestigious industry honors (Best New Restaurant by Zagat; #1 Hot Spot by Chicago Magazine).

She also brings extensive crisis communication experience to her clients at JTA. She was one of a group of professionals directing United’s crisis response following 9/11. She served as lead external communicator for United’s senior Crisis Center team, implementing all global communication outreach. She also led media relations on Congressional relief for the industry and federal issues of industry insurability in the weeks following the attacks. Susana worked side by side with The Wall Street Journal and USA Today on a series of award-winning 9/11 features.

Susana Leyva holds a B.A. from Loyola University. A native of Cuba, she is now a proud Chicagoan.

Chris Robling’s 25-year career includes experience in media, government, agency public relations, and politics. He joined JTA as its first Principal in April 2002.

With extensive experience, Chris helped execute a successful campaign for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and has provided consulting for The Mills Corporation in its development of a vacant city block in downtown Chicago. In 2002, he helped manage the London-based announcement of Mayer Brown and Platt’s merger with Rowe and Maw and his campaign to introduce (then) Adolph Coors Company products to Illinois earned a Denver PRSA Silver Anvil.

As an Illinois Senate-appointed member of the Chicago Regional Transportation Task Force and Director of Communications for Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority, Chris has worked on a joint venture with Raytheon, press relations, and business-to-business marketing. He received the American Public Transportation Association’s grand and first prizes for communications achievement in 1996 and 1995, respectively.

As a broadcaster, Chris has anchored public affairs coverage and an award-winning international news program. He has interviewed numerous authors and public figures, while his written work has appeared in Institutional Investor, The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times and numerous other publications.

Chris was elected President of the Association of U.S. House Republican Press Secretaries during his service to a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. He has also worked with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Commerce, Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Central Intelligence Agency.

He is a frequent speaker on professional and public issues, and has lectured at the University of Chicago and at Northwestern, DePaul and Roosevelt Universities. Chris Robling graduated from Georgetown University and attended Northwestern University School of Law.

Jayne Carr Thompson is a prominent Chicago-based public and community affairs and litigation support communications specialist. She is president and chief executive officer of Jayne Thompson & Associates, Ltd., a woman-owned business which she founded in early 2002.

Jayne began her professional career as a trial attorney in the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Illinois. She appeared in numerous state and federal trial and appellate courts, including briefing and arguing several cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and the Supreme Court of Illinois.

Since then, Jayne has worked extensively at the CEO/Director level addressing issues of corporate governance, crisis management, change-in-control, reputation management, regulatory and public affairs issues and strategic business development across a variety of industries including real estate development, energy generation and distribution, and internal law firm management.

By appointment of Mayor Daley, with confirmation by the Chicago City Council, Jayne serves as President of the Chicago Public Library Board of Directors. In January 2009, she was elected Chairman of the Chicago Central Area Committee. The CCAC is a membership organization focused on issues relating to the planning and development of the Chicago downtown area.

Jayne also serves as a member of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Board, the Women’s Board of Northwestern University, and the Chairman’s Advisory Council of the Lincoln Park Zoo. Previously, she served as a member of the Board of Trustees of National-Louis University and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois. Jayne has served three Illinois governors on women’s and children’s issues and on issues relating to the delivery of social services.

Jayne Thompson is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the Northwestern University School of Law. She has received honorary degrees from Illinois College, Lincoln College, and St. Xavier University.