Denterlein announced today that Katherine Adam has been elevated to senior vice president and managing director of the firm’s public affairs practice. The new role creates a more formal structure to support Denterlein’s longstanding issues-based communications work in public policy, advocacy, regulatory affairs, and community engagement.

“Kat lives in a world where intelligence matters - and she possesses that in abundance. But that alone is not enough. Success also requires the ability to craft the message that drives change and to build coalitions around the critical issues of our time. Kat has the rare combination of all of these talents. And that is why she is just the right person to drive the growth of our firm in the public policy arena,” said Geri Denterlein, founder and CEO.

Katherine will oversee client teams and staff in the public affairs practice, as well as lead new initiatives to grow the practice. Her work will leverage the Denterlein team’s wide-ranging experience in government, journalism, community affairs, and public relations.

“I see every day our clients aiming to solve some of the biggest challenges facing New England and beyond, working to create more housing, improve our healthcare system, and shepherd in a new clean tech economy – just to start,” said Katherine. “With so many critical issues before us, I’m excited to build on our firm’s longtime strengths while bringing a fresh eye to how our expertise can make us a partner to companies and organizations shaping the future of communities.”

Denterlein’s public affairs clients include member associations and advocacy groups educating on regulatory or legislative topics, companies navigating uncertainty or crisis in highly regulated industries, and statewide ballot referendum campaigns.

Drawing on the team’s deep understanding of policy processes and extensive relationships with civic stakeholders and the media, the Denterlein public affairs team helps clients create a compelling story, then builds the campaigns they need to succeed by:

• tailoring messaging to engage a variety of stakeholders,
• integrating targeted media strategies into government relations efforts,
• building and activating coalitions to talk to reporters, join public meetings, or create social media momentum, and
• tracking news trends and social media to ensure clients are prepared to respond.

Denterlein’s public affairs team often works with a client’s in-house government relations lead or with a lobbyist partner to ensure an effective combination of government affairs, advocacy, media, and digital efforts.

A member of the Denterlein team for 10 years, Katherine has led public affairs for dozens of clients. She develops communications platforms for CEOs, executive directors, and coalitions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Katherine advised institutions and organizations in navigating the first-time complexities of suspending in-person operations and mandating vaccines.

Katherine sits on the board of MassINC and serves as the vice chair of LivableStreets Alliance. Prior to joining Denterlein, she served as Communications Director for State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz. She is a graduate of Boston College, where she studied sociology and music. She lives in Melrose with her husband and daughter.