About

Kate Norton is a seasoned and tested communications professional with over 15 years in the field, and a strong and proven track record of success in a range of sectors, from state and municipal government, to union and political campaigns, to philanthropy and the private sector.

Kate has served as the on-record spokesperson for high-profile candidates and campaigns, such as the 2018 Yes on 1 campaign (regarding safe staffing levels) and Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Notably, Kate served as press secretary to Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, where she managed media relations and communications strategy for all departments of the City of Boston. Prior to her municipal government service, Kate served as press secretary for Marty Walsh’s successful campaign to become the first new Mayor of Boston in two decades.

Following Mayor Walsh’s election, Kate was responsible for all communications strategy related to Mayor Walsh’s transition to office and inaugural events leading up to his swearing-in as the 54th Mayor of Boston. Before joining Mayor Walsh’s team, Kate served as a Communications Specialist for new organizing efforts for 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

Kate has served in key strategic communications roles for The Boston Foundation, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and has advised and contributed to communications strategy for a wide range of federal, state and municipal political campaigns.

Kate most recently served as the Vice President of Communications for CK Strategies, an all-encompassing and award-winning consulting firm with expertise and proven success in government relations, public affairs, and communications strategy. In this role, Kate served a broad range of clients, working with developers to manage public relations and community relations strategies; with political candidates and ballot initiatives to create winning campaign communications; with labor unions to develop advocacy campaigns; with nonprofits large and small to leverage and increase impact.

Following her successful tenure there, Kate founded her solo practice in September 2019: Norton Communication Strategies. With this venture, Kate works directly with a select portfolio of clients advising on high-level communications strategy, with specialization in crisis communications and candidate debate preparation, Massachusetts-related public affairs strategy, and crisis communications.

Her clients include global property developers, members of Congressional leadership, and large-impact nonprofit organizations, among others.

Kate is a graduate of Elizabethtown College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Labouré Child Care Center in South Boston, and is a frequent trainer for Emerge Massachusetts, dedicated to electing women to public office.