Stacy Kerr
Partner, Penta Group
Stacy Kerr is a strategic communications expert with more than two decades of experience as a trusted advisor to CEOs, global executives, and elected officials who have relied on her judgment, innovative ideas, and strategic insights. She is a partner at Penta Group, a public affairs consulting firm that combines research and analysis with impactful communications strategies. Stacy helps clients, including foundations, trade associations, and corporate leaders articulate and advance their positions, manage their reputations, navigate the political, regulatory and media landscapes, and advance their business goals.
Prior to joining Penta Group, Stacy founded Kerr Strategies, a public affairs and strategic communications consultancy, where she advised clients in the corporate and nonprofit sectors across a variety of industries. She has been a member of the Arthur Page Society, the world’s leading professional association for senior public relations and corporate communications executives. Washingtonian called Stacy a “communications ace,” who Politico noted navigated the dozen years she spent on Capitol Hill “with grace, savvy and energy.”
Stacy previously served as Georgetown University’s chief communications officer, where she was responsible for maintaining and elevating the institution’s iconic, global reputation during a time of increasing complexity and disruption across higher education. She guided the university’s management of high-profile issues, grew the university’s owned platforms, and embedded strategic communications into the senior leadership team. During Stacy’s tenure, she was involved in several monumental advancements, including the University’s public understanding of and engagement with descendants of slaves who helped build the university; the establishment of the new Big East Athletic Conference; the growth and development within Washington, D.C.; and the establishment of a new school of public policy with a $100 million gift.
Stacy spent 15 years working in national politics, including serving nearly a decade as a senior aide to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. During her tenure, she played a role in historic issues and legislation, including the 2008 financial crisis and the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Stacy traveled to more than 50 congressional districts and across the world with Speaker Pelosi and Members of Congress. Stacy got her start in politics working on Bill Bradley’s 2000 Democratic presidential campaign, on various congressional races and as a Press Secretary to Congressman Marty Meehan (MA).
Throughout her career, Stacy has demonstrated a commitment to women’s leadership and has advised clients on equity and institutional diversity. She served as an advisor to the OWN IT Women’s Leadership Summit, was a founding member of the Georgetown Women’s Alliance where she serves on the Steering Committee and leads Georgetown University’s involvement as an IMPACT Champion in the United Nations’ global “HeForShe” campaign for gender equity.
Stacy earned her master’s degree in Global Strategic Communications from Georgetown University and holds an undergraduate degree from Smith College. She lives with her husband and three children near Washington, D.C.