Greg Lanier
Pronouns: He/Him
As senior vice president of Strategic Communications & External Affairs, Greg is responsible for managing all aspects of NORC’s internal and external communications work and promoting its positive reputation and impact. In this role, he leads the teams responsible for media relations, government affairs, identity and messaging, digital communications and social media, business development and marketing support, internal communications, design, events management, and creative services. He also works with research teams to plan and deliver communications services and campaigns that extend the reach and impact of NORC’s research on behalf of its clients and in service of the public good.
Beyond his core contributions, Greg is a member of NORC’s executive council and directs and supports a wide range of strategic organizational initiatives and new business ventures. He leads a cross-department team charged with exploring the use of data visualization to enhance and support NORC’s analytic work and dissemination offerings. And, he helped establish and provides ongoing support to The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, a partnership with the Associated Press that provides objective and timely data on critical social issues to a broad global audience.
During his time at NORC, Greg has provided strategic guidance to some of NORC’s most high-profile studies and programs, including the General Social Survey, the National Immunization Surveys, the National Opioid Misuse Community Assessment Tool, AP Votecast, and America in One Room. In addition to his programmatic contributions, Greg also leads the team responsible for branding and promoting NORC’s emerging solutions. AmeriSpeak, Foresight 50+ (a collaboration with AARP), and The Bridge at NORC are all examples of his team’s creative partnership with business leaders inside and outside the organization.
Greg began his career at The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation managing digital communications and integrated outreach initiatives for complex social issues. In 1999, he co-founded Infoblox, a publicly traded Internet technology company that successfully completed its initial public offering in 2012. Greg has also served as a Director and creative consultant at Sapient and went on to build two award-winning, Chicago-based digital advertising agencies—Material Group and Domani Studios—where he oversaw business development, marketing operations, and client services. And more recently, during his free time with his life and business partner, he co-founded Cowboys and Astronauts, a beloved Chicago retail destination and brand.
Greg has collaborated with and consulted for numerous nonprofit and government organizations including The Chicago Community Trust, The Field Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Department of Commerce, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Nettelhorst School (Chicago Public Schools), The World Bank Group, World Resources Institute, and The Aspen Institute. He has also provided strategic communications guidance and creative services for commercial brands such as Porsche, Nintendo, American Family Insurance, ESPN, Allstate, Morningstar, and AT&T. During his career, Greg has spoken on communications strategy in the U.S., Central America, Europe, and Australia.
Quick Links
Education
BA
DePaul University
Appointments & Affiliations
Founding Member
Research Institute Communications Executives (RICE)
Honors & Awards
David O. Justice Social Impact Award | 2017
DePaul University
Best of Chicago Award: Shop Local | 2018 - 2023
Chicago Reader
Project Contributions
Publications
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What’s Your Social Media Age?
Interactive
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opens in new tab"75 Years of Insight, Innovation, and Impact."
Book | January 26, 2017