Episode 40: Path to CCO+ with Laura Duda
From Communications Business Advisor by Tara McDonagh
February 9, 2026 · 45 min · Season 1 · Episode 40
About this episode
Laura Duda discusses her journey to becoming a Chief Communications Officer and the essential skills communicators need to succeed at the executive level.
Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor ™ podcast with host, Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara continues the Path to CCO+ series with Laura Duda , Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Goodyear . Laura shares what it really means to lead communications at the enterprise level, how she built her path from "writer first" to executive leader, and what communicators need to develop if they want a true seat (and voice) at the decision-making table. From navigating matrixed teams and "shadow communicators," to earning authority through stakeholder insight, to leading through volatility, AI, and modern crisis dynamics, this conversation is packed with practical guidance for directors, VPs, and emerging comms leaders. In this episode, Tara and Laura cover: What the CCO role looks like at Goodyear The scope of Laura's remit across internal + external comms and closely adjacent functions Team size and global structure How to lead in matrix environments and work effectively with "shadow communicators" Laura's career path: from writer to executive leader, including a pivotal industry switch What "authority" really means in communications: shaping decisions, not…
People in this episode
Host: Tara McDonagh
Guest: Laura Duda
Topics covered
- communications leadership
- career development
- CCO role
- matrix environments
- stakeholder engagement
- AI in communications
- crisis management
Keywords
- Chief Communications Officer
- career path
- stakeholder insight
- matrix teams
- AI
- crisis dynamics
- business fluency
- communication strategies
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Goodyear
More episodes of Communications Business Advisor
- Episode 45: The Strategy That's Still in Your Head · April 20, 2026 · 20 min
- Episode 44: Long-Term Planning Is Dead (No, It Isn't) · April 6, 2026 · 18 min
- Episode 43: Thinking Alone Has a Leadership Ceiling · March 23, 2026 · 20 min
- Episode 42: When Helpfulness Becomes a Career Ceiling · March 9, 2026 · 18 min
- Episode 41: When Everything Feels Heavy, You Might Need More · February 23, 2026 · 18 min
- Episode 39: Path to CCO+ with Anthony Farina · January 26, 2026 · 58 min
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