Organizations are continuously in a stage of the crisis communications cycle- preparing, responding and then recovering before the loop begins again. As a communications leader, different skills and approaches are required for each stage of the cycle. Carrie Braun of the Orange County, California Sheriff’s Department will provide a window into the Department’s communications response to a mass shooting incident and highlight the skills needed, approaches used, challenges overcome and lessons learned while leading a communications team before, during, and after the tragedy. The presentation will also address the unique challenges that arise when leading crisis communications efforts when you are a team of one. We will explore resilience as an essential leadership skill and why cultivating resilience both personally and professionally will benefit any crisis communications leader.