KATE BERNYK

Highly experienced communications leader with two decades of expertise in strategic communications, reputation management, branding, digital strategy, and media relations. Specialized expertise in shaping meaningful narratives and helping brands, nonprofits, and public officials navigate crises with delicate and authentic messaging. Passionate about telling stories in compelling ways while connecting those powerful stories to the right audience.

SKILLS

Strategic Communications Planning | Executive Visibility + Thought Leadership

Brand Storytelling  | Crisis Communications | Media Relations | Nonprofit Leadership

Social Marketing + Digital Strategy | Creative Writing

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Led #StoptheSham communications campaign for the Center for Reproductive Rights’ historic 2016 Supreme Court victory for abortion access in the landmark case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.

  • Secured front-page New York Times profile and feature spot in TIME’s first-ever list of 50 Most Influential People in Health Care for NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray.

  • Spearheaded integrated communications teams across global offices and department budgets of over $1M with communications strategy experience in the U.S., Colombia, Kenya, Ireland, Nepal, and the U.K.

  • Drove strategy for Kickstarter’s rollout as one of the first US companies to pilot a 4-day week, placing features in The Atlantic, Fast Company, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today Show, and CNN’s Risk Takers List.

  • Developed communications strategy for the women-led law firm, Levin Simes Abrams, in the ongoing litigation on behalf of sexual assault survivors against rideshare company, Lyft, securing coverage in CNN, CBS This Morning, VICE, New York Magazine, Teen Vogue, and The Daily Beast.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT (May 2023-present)
Kate Bernyk Communications, LLC

Provide creative, bespoke, and flexible strategic communications services to small businesses, cultural thought leaders, and social justice nonprofits. Clients have included Pregnancy Justice, 92Y Belfer Center, Upstream USA, Abortion Access Front, and Alpaca VC.

Services offered:

  • Strategic communications planning

  • Crisis communications training and communications audits

  • Comprehensive op-ed strategies

  • Personal brand strategy and narrative development

  • Digital content, toolkits, and annual reports

INTERIM PRESIDENT (March 2024-December 2024)
Rewire News Group

Serve as interim president, overseeing all day-to-day administrative and operations functions for the $2 million nonprofit media organization.

Key Achievements: 

  • Fundraised $200k of one-time transitional support funds to cover variety of organizational needs, including interim costs and staff retention bonuses

  • Supported staff needs ranging from team culture and feedback trainings to retooling internal project management and editing processes 

  • Oversee 2024 end-of-year fundraising campaign and 2025 budget planning, as well as lead onboarding for incoming executive director.

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS (January 2019 - March 2023)
Kickstarter

Provided leadership and direction to strategic planning, development and implementation, and measurement of Kickstarter’s communications and media relations efforts. Transformed how the company tracked and measured the impact of media mentions and developed media lists. Co-chaired the 5% pledge committee while managing the annual process for the yearly donation of its after-tax profits.

Key Achievements: 

  • Secured brand features in Rolling Stone, Vogue, TechCrunch, Fast Company, Washington Post, Inc., Buzzfeed, The Guardian, Polygon, and WIRED.

  • Drove strategy for Kickstarter’s rollout as one of the first US companies to pilot a 4-day week, placing features in The Atlantic, Fast Company, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today Show, and CNN’s Risk Takers List.

  • Developed communications strategy around best-selling author Brandon Sanderson’s record-breaking $43M publishing project, securing a feature in the New York Times

  • Led crisis communications management through three CEO transitions, unionization vote, and community concerns over hot-button issues including the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR TO THE FIRST LADY (July 2017 - January 2019)
City of New York - Office of the Mayor

Managed strategic planning and communications for First Lady Chirlane McCray including the City’s efforts to reform mental healthcare, reduce and treat substance misuse, combat domestic violence, advance gender and racial equity, and improve services for incarcerated women and families. Expertly led and managed the First Lady’s press, digital strategy, and speechwriting team and served as a member of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s senior communications team.

Key Achievements: 

  • Secured front-page New York Times profile and feature spot in TIME’s first-ever list of 50 Most Influential People in Health Care for NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray

  • Pitched and placed the First Lady for high-level speaking roles at events including Women In The World, Teen Vogue Summit, and Social Good Summit.

  • Led the comprehensive rollout of several citywide policies and programs, including NYC Unity Project for LGBTQ+ youth.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS (November 2011 - July 2017)
Center for Reproductive Rights

Directed communications and messaging strategies across traditional and digital media platforms to promote high-profile cases and initiatives to local, national, and global audiences. Supervised and coached a team of 17 staff across four global offices. Administered a departmental budget of over $1M. Served on the organization’s management team to drive cross-departmental strategies, develop fundraising strategies and grant proposals, and communicate with the Board of Directors.

Key Achievements: 

  • Led #StoptheSham communications campaign for the Center for Reproductive Rights’ historic 2016 Supreme Court victory for abortion access in the landmark case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.

  • Wrote, pitched, and placed a high-profile op-ed in The Washington Post, co- bylined by Center president and then-Lambda Legal CEO.

  • Established the Center’s CEO as a regular guest on top news programs, including NBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, secured key spokespeople on Sunday shows including ABC’s This Week, and successfully pitched a feature profile in Glamour.


ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Communications Consultant, Levin Simes Abrams | Communications & Marketing Manager, Children’s Rights | Deputy Director of Communications & Legislation, NJ Department of Children and Families

EDUCATION

Montclair State University
Master of Arts, Communications

College of New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Georgetown University
Fund for American Studies

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Rewire News Group | Board Member | 2022 – Present

Whole Woman’s Health Alliance | Board Member | 2018 – 2023

Weight Stigma Awareness Impact Council | Founding Member | 2023

Proficient in MuckRack, Cision, Politico Pro, LexisNexis, JSTOR, Westlaw, MS Office, Google docs suite, & major social media platforms.