The Jane Group

The Jane Group is a global crisis and strategic communications firm that has operated since 2000. Based in Westmont, United States, the agency focuses exclusively on the education sector—serving independent, international, charter, for-profit, Montessori, and Waldorf schools. The Jane Group brings over two decades of experience to its core work: crisis management and preparedness, reputation management, board communications, crisis communication training, governance, and school culture issues. The firm also offers legal communications support, communication audits, media training, and social media guidelines development. All engagements are conducted with complete confidentiality.

Services and Specialties

The Jane Group provides a targeted set of services designed for the unique needs of educational institutions. Their work spans proactive preparedness and reactive crisis response. Key service areas include:

• Crisis management and crisis response plans
• Board stewardship and board engagement in crises
• Legal communications and sensitive issue handling
• School crisis preparedness training and international crisis training
• Reputation management and strategic communication
• Media statements and stakeholder communication
• Social media guidelines and risk management
• Communication audits and consulting services

The firm also serves as a NAIS crisis consultant and specializes in child protection in schools, school culture issues, and governance. Their crisis preparedness training covers everything from media training to board training, ensuring that school leadership is ready for a wide range of scenarios.

Who They Help

The Jane Group works primarily with schools—independent, international, charter, for-profit, Montessori, and Waldorf—as well as with colleges, universities, and professional schools. Their clients are typically school heads, boards of trustees, and senior administrators who need expert guidance on managing crises, communicating with stakeholders, and protecting institutional reputation. The firm also supports legal services and law firms that represent educational institutions, offering expertise in legal risk and legal communications. With 25 years in the education space, The Jane Group understands the distinct challenges schools face, from enrollment pressures to governance disputes to sensitive issues involving students or staff.

Approach and Philosophy

The Jane Group’s approach is built on deep sector knowledge and a commitment to confidentiality. They begin with communication audits and crisis preparedness assessments to identify vulnerabilities. From there, they develop customized crisis response plans, provide media training, and offer ongoing board engagement support. Their training programs—including school crisis preparedness and international crisis training—are designed to be practical and actionable. The firm emphasizes proactive risk management, helping schools build resilient communication systems before a crisis occurs. When crises do happen, The Jane Group provides real-time strategic counsel on media statements, stakeholder communication, and reputation management. Everything is done with discretion, recognizing that schools operate in highly sensitive environments.

Location and Credentials

The Jane Group is headquartered in Westmont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in the United States. The firm also maintains an office in Boston, Massachusetts. With a global client base, they have delivered crisis training and consulting to schools across North America and internationally. Their team brings expertise in public relations, legal communications, and education governance, and the firm is recognized as a NAIS crisis consultant. The Jane Group’s longevity—over two decades in a niche field—speaks to its credibility and the trust it has built within the education community.

For schools, school boards, and education-focused organizations seeking a discreet, experienced partner for crisis preparedness, legal communications, and reputation management, The Jane Group is a strong fit. Their focused expertise means they understand the nuances of school culture, board dynamics, and the high stakes of public perception in education. Whether for a single crisis event or ongoing strategic communication support, this Westmont-based firm offers tailored, confidential service to educational institutions worldwide.