Dennis Kenney

Biography

Dennis Kenney teaches Strategic Communication at NYU Stern School of Business, bringing a wealth of experience from academia, executive leadership, and media. With a distinguished career, he empowers MBA students to master high-stakes communication, impactful storytelling, and strategic audience engagement.

Professor Kenney is currently a Public Speaking Instructor at Harvard Business School (HBS), where he works with MBA students and doctoral candidates to refine their communication strategies and professional presentations. He also serves as the Communications Director for the Loeb Fellowship at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), where he collaborates with global leaders across fields such as urban planning, public art, and social innovation to craft compelling narratives. At Columbia Business School, he coaches MBA students on interview preparation, personal branding, and leadership communication, tailoring his instruction to real-world business challenges.

His accomplishments include delivering the highest-rated workshop at the Rising Scholars Conference at HBS, focusing on persuasive communication and job market preparation. He has also designed and led custom programs for the PRIMO Program at HBS, helping undergraduates hone their public speaking and presentation skills. Over the course of his career, Professor Kenney has coached C-suite executives from more than 70 countries on persuasive business communication, equipping them to navigate diverse cultural and professional landscapes with confidence.

In addition to his academic roles, Professor Kenney is the Chief Marketing Officer of Arroya Studio, where he develops industry-leading communication and branding strategies for Fortune 500 companies and global organizations. Previously, as Creative Director of 260 Sample Sale, he led transformative branding initiatives that elevated customer engagement and brand recognition in the competitive New York retail market. He has also appeared as an on-air expert for Good Morning America and worked behind the scenes with its on-air talent, providing insights on personal branding and storytelling.

Professor Kenney holds a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University and an MS in Communication from Northwestern University. He combines academic rigor with practical expertise to inspire students to communicate with clarity, confidence, and authenticity, preparing them to excel in a dynamic global business environment.

Research Interests

• Public Speaking and Executive Coaching
• Crisis Communications and Team Dynamics
• Corporate Reputation and Leadership Development
• Brand Reputation Management
• Advertising and Strategic Planning
• Digital Marketing and Consumer Psychology
• Business Ethics
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Entertainment and Media
• Luxury Goods

Courses Taught

• Public Speaking
• Strategic Communication

Academic Background

BFA, Drama
Carnegie Mellon University

MS, Communication
Northwestern University