Public Affairs Veteran Damian O'Doherty Launches New Firm Focused on AI-Era Leadership

Public affairs veteran Damian O'Doherty has launched O'Doherty & Associates, marking a strategic departure from KO Public Affairs, the firm he co-founded nearly two decades ago. After 17 years helping build KO Public Affairs, O'Doherty stated that "the canvas in public affairs has changed" and his new venture will focus on helping leaders, institutions, and innovators "gain resonance in the AI epoch." The firm combines expertise across multiple disciplines including law, influence, media, and capital strategy to address the evolving demands of modern public affairs.

O'Doherty described his new enterprise as a "family of firms" with operations spanning Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Colorado, while extending globally. The company structure includes a Maryland-based law practice, an Aspen influence and public affairs agency, and a global capital network. Among its core offerings is Health Counsel, a specialized practice that advises healthcare executives on policy and strategic matters. This integrated approach reflects the increasingly complex nature of public affairs in an era dominated by technological transformation.

The launch represents a significant pivot for O'Doherty, who has played instrumental roles in shaping some of the Mid-Atlantic region's most prominent projects throughout his career. His portfolio includes healthcare advocacy initiatives, infrastructure expansion projects, and economic development efforts around critical assets like the Port of Baltimore and the D.C. Beltway. O'Doherty was also an early investor in MGM National Harbor and championed affordable housing initiatives for firefighters in Aspen, demonstrating his diverse experience across multiple sectors.

"The boxing gloves that built KO don't fit what's next," O'Doherty remarked, emphasizing that today's public affairs landscape demands "new tools, sharper instincts, and a broader canvas." His comments highlight the fundamental shifts occurring in how influence is built and maintained in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. From statehouses and health systems to data centers and global markets, O'Doherty said his new firm aims to guide leaders through an era where artificial intelligence and human storytelling are reshaping influence itself.

The emergence of O'Doherty & Associates signals broader industry implications as traditional public affairs models confront the disruptive force of artificial intelligence. As organizations across sectors grapple with AI's impact on communication, policy, and stakeholder engagement, specialized firms that can bridge technological understanding with traditional influence-building become increasingly valuable. "Firms must be fit to fight for a new future," O'Doherty stated. "This next round starts now." The firm's global reach and multidisciplinary approach position it to address the complex challenges facing leaders in government, healthcare, and business as they navigate the intersection of technology and public influence.