Speaker Profile

Calder Hynes is the vice president of communications and public relations for Wasserman, a leading sports, music and culture agency. In his role, he is involved in all aspects of external and internal communications, and manages the corporate social media and creative department.

He works with the agency’s executives, agents, and clients on external relations and earned media, crisis communications, award nominations, and pitching for speaking engagements, among other duties. As the primary contact for Wasserman’s sports talent representation division, he works with world-class athletes such as Megan Rapinoe, Klay Thompson, Diana Taurasi, Marshawn Lynch, Giancarlo Stanton, Katie Ledecky, and Brittney Griner.

He has served as the primary press and media relations contact for Griner, her family, and wife Cherelle ever since she was detained by Russia in February, 2022. Working alongside Griner’s agent Lindsay Colas, Hynes played an active role in the campaign to eventually return Griner safely home, implementing a communications plan that involved the White House, advocacy groups, and a number of other entities.

Prior to Wasserman, Hynes worked in the public relations departments of a number of professional sports teams: the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Hornets, and Miami Dolphins.

Hynes attended the University of Arizona, where he graduated with a BA in Art History in 2008 before obtaining an MS in Sport Administration from St. Thomas University (FL) in 2009. He currently works remotely in his native Tucson, AZ with his wife Lisa and two children – son Xander and daughter Harlow.