About
Roger Sorkin
"Solutions to humanity's greatest challenges start with strong narrative foundations."
I'm a strategic communications expert and award-winning filmmaker…
…with over 30 years of experience helping organizations develop narratives that connect with diverse audiences and drive meaningful action.
As founder of the American Resilience Project, I've produced documentaries that have engaged thousands of policymakers and resulted in concrete policy advancements, even in politically challenging environments. This work showed me the power of authentic storytelling to unite diverse stakeholders around shared solutions.
Now, through my strategic communications consultancy, I bring this same narrative expertise directly to organizations across defense, energy, infrastructure, food security, and public health sectors. I've taught at business schools, led simulations for executives, and moderated discussions with industry and government leaders – experiences that have refined my approach to helping organizations communicate effectively about complex topics.
My methodology draws from ethnographic research and documentary filmmaking, shaped by my studies in Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University and Communication at Stanford. Before founding ARP, I produced content for National Geographic and PBS, experiences that taught me how to find stories that resonate on deeper human levels.
When not working with clients, I coach youth baseball in Western Massachusetts, finding that building team cohesion on the field offers surprising insights that apply to organizational communications strategy as well.
Three Principles That Guide My Work
My approach to communication challenges is guided by three core principles:
- The same solution, different reasons. People don't need to share identical values to support the same initiative. By identifying where different interests naturally converge, we can build support from stakeholders who might otherwise remain divided.
- Emotion matters as much as data. While facts are important, emotional connections create more meaningful relationships with audiences. Authentic storytelling that connects on human levels drives action more effectively than statistics alone.
- Narratives are a strategic asset. Communication isn't just what you say–it's the connection between what you do with why you do it. When organizations develop coherent narratives, both internal alignment and external engagement improve dramatically.
My Approach to Communications Challenges
I begin each engagement with a thorough assessment of your communication ecosystem–who you're trying to reach, what you're saying, and where you're getting stuck. This ethnographic process helps me understand your organization's unique culture and challenges before developing any strategic recommendations.
My style combines filmmaking expertise with strategic communications knowledge. Whether I'm directing a documentary that captures your mission or designing a comprehensive communications plan, I focus on finding authentic stories that connect with your stakeholders on both emotional and intellectual levels.
I work directly with clients throughout the entire process, from initial concept development through final delivery. This hands-on approach ensures consistency of vision and allows me to adapt quickly as projects evolve. You'll always work with me personally, not a rotating team of associates who might lose sight of your objectives.