Here at A10 Associates, we believe in celebrating the incredible and limitless talent within our brilliant team of women. Today, we are excited and honored to shine a well-deserved spotlight on Kate Countryman, the new President of A10 Associates. As President, Kate serves as a leader of the firm and helps guide and secure results that align with A10’s strategic direction. Her journey with us has been inspiring, and we’re thrilled to share her story with you.
Kate’s Experience
Kate Countryman is a seasoned government and strategic communications professional with over 13 years of experience in the field. Her extensive background includes serving as a communications advisor for two U.S. Senators. In these roles, Kate shaped policy messaging, engaged with diverse stakeholders, and drove media strategies that amplified the Senators’ legislative priorities and public profiles.
Throughout her career, she has focused her skills on crafting compelling narratives, landing stories in national and regional outlets and managing high-stakes communications campaigns across various sectors, including economic development, technology, agriculture, housing, and healthcare.
When asked about joining A10 Associates, Kate shared, “Working at A10 Associates is a privilege because it’s more than just being part of the country’s largest woman-owned public affairs and strategic communications firm; it’s about contributing to a legacy of leadership and excellence. Here, every project we work on and client we work with is a testament to our collective passion for better policy and elevating diverse voices. It’s where innovation meets purpose, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
Kate’s diverse expertise spans from economic development initiatives that drive regional growth to promoting cutting-edge technological advancements. She has played a key role in advocating for agricultural policies that support sustainable farming practices, developing housing strategies to address urban and rural housing challenges, and advancing healthcare communications to improve public health outcomes.
Her strategic vision, ability to navigate complex issues, passion for and commitment to excellence have made her a trusted advisor and a dynamic leader in the field. All of which contribute to our trust and confidence in her and her role as A10’s President.
Inspiration and Motivation
When asked how she stays motivated in such a demanding role Kate shared some words of wisdom that fuel her every day, “I stay motivated and inspired by working on issues that matter to me. I’m always inspired by the people I meet along the way.”
And while Kate’s extraordinary career has been marked by significant achievements, the challenges she has overcome truly demonstrate her strength and resilience. “I lost my youngest brother in 2014 to suicide. He was my best friend and biggest fan. He was 22 years old.
“I had to do something to help heal my heart and draw attention to the importance of mental health. In 2015, I started a 5K run ‘Run for Ryan’ in his memory to advocate for the importance of mental health awareness in our hometown. We did the run every May, Mental Health Awareness Month and his birth month, from 2015 to 2019. All of the proceeds benefited local mental health initiatives and sponsored two scholarships every year for graduating seniors from our high school pursuing a college degree in health care.
“I continue to donate to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) because supporting mental health awareness is deeply personal and important to me.”
This tragedy motivated Kate professionally. She publicized and gained national attention around legislation that required the Federal Communications Commission to assess the suicide hotline system that ultimately led to the creation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline.
Balancing Life As A Working Mom
As a working mom, finding and maintaining the balance between professional life and family time while managing mom guilt gets to her sometimes.
“The demands of work and family often overlap, making it difficult to switch off and fully engage in one aspect without feeling the pull of the other.”
Kate derives much of her inspiration from her own mother: “My mom went back to school to become a nurse when my youngest brother was in 9th grade. She worked full time, went to school full time, and was a mom full time. She graduated at the top of her nursing class and was a nurse for 20 years before retiring in 2020. She’s the hardest working person I know and an amazing mom.”
Kate’s Words of Advice
During our conversation, Kate shared some advice for future generations:
- Embrace the power of listening to understand rather than listening to simply respond.
- Foster an environment where integrity guides every decision and collaboration drives innovation.
- Remember, true influence is earned through trust and respect, not just persuasion.
- Lead with vision, advocate with passion, and communicate with clarity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
She mentions that one of the most inspiring and meaningful books she has ever read is Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning.” This story involved identifying a purpose to each person’s life through one of three ways: the completion of tasks, caring for another person, or embracing and overcoming challenges. This choice is truly a testament to her work ethic and her dedication to purpose.
A Bright Future at A10 Associates
Kate and A10’s Chief Executive Officer Jessica Tocco have worked alongside each other in previous roles. Regarding her decision to reconnect with Jess, Kate said, “I first met Jess when we were in our twenties, working for another firm. I immediately knew Jess was someone I wanted to learn from and emulate.
“She’s been a mentor to me ever since and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with her again and help grow what she has built at A10. I’m proud of her and find her to be the textbook definition of resilience.”
We are proud to have leaders like Kate who embody our values and drive us forward, and we cannot express our gratitude towards her enough. She is an indispensable member of our A10 family and we look forward to all the future holds.
