Kate Bernard

As a Managing Director at Hamilton Place Strategies, Kate brings over five years of Capitol Hill experience in planning and executing strategic communication endeavors that maximize public understanding and build broad-based support for key priorities. During her tenure on Capitol Hill, Kate led a wide array of policy initiatives in local, state and national media markets serving both House and Senate offices. Kate’s keen understanding of the legislative process and passion for creative grassroots outreach has driven several media campaigns that successfully commanded state and national attention. Most recently, Kate served as Press Secretary to United States Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and was responsible for the creation and targeted distribution of all public materials, ranging from statements and op-eds to mass email communication, social media updates and weekly columns. Kate also pitched, secured and prepared the Senator for state and national print, television and radio interviews. Prior to her time with the Senator, Kate served as Communications Director to former Congresswoman Mary Fallin as she geared up for a successful gubernatorial race in 2010. Kate’s policy experience includes serving as Legislative Assistant to Former Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT), where she oversaw a wide array of domestic policy issues, including Financial Services Committee work during the 2008 financial crisis. Kate worked extensively on theEmergency Economic Stabilization Act and led legislative efforts to protect students from disruptions to their Federal Family Education Loan payments during the liquidity crunch. Kate also advised Congressman John Culberson on health care policy issues in anticipation of the 2009 health care reform bill and served as the Congressman’s liaison with the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Kate began her career as a Staff Assistant on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce supporting work on student lending and higher education issues. Kate’s Committee experience has formed the foundation of her keen understanding of the legislative process and acute awareness of how public opinion can significantly affect desired outcomes. Kate grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. An avid runner and equestrian, Kate currently lives in Alexandria.