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Whether in the public or private sector
I have always sought ways to be of
service in the public interest.

It's the cornerstone of who I am.
Clay Doherty

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

EVENT PRODUCTION

GLOBAL AFFAIRS

With extensive experience at the intersection of strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, event production and global affairs in the public, private and non-profit sectors, Clay Doherty is a globally-recognized connector known for his expertise in working with clients to map their needs and design plans that achieve results by overcoming communication challenges, increasing brand relevance and driving campaign effectiveness.

ABOUT CLAY

From strategic communications to stakeholder engagement, high-profile event production to public diplomacy and global affairs, Clay Doherty's professional strengths are rooted in his ability to bridge the divide between left and right brain thinking across all areas of his professional experience.

Recognized by organizations and world leaders as a connector with a strong global network, Clay successfully opens doors to smart partnerships and new ideas. His unique ability to combine strategy with creativity enables him to discover client opportunities through this dual lens, connecting clients and stakeholders on all levels of sensory engagement while simultaneously producing high-impact and meaningful results.

With a focus on the strategy and tactics behind engagement, Clay established his own independent consulting practice following six years of public service as a presidential appointee in the Obama Administration. Clay's commitment to designing and implementing targeted plans that successfully achieve real world objectives has earned him high-praise and recognition from his clients. This growth allowed him to expand and rebrand his firm as HIGHTOUCH Engagement in 2019

From 2010-2016, Clay led stakeholder and diplomatic engagement at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the $35 billion federal agency responsible for administering all non-military foreign aid around the world. From leading the agency's public engagement outreach to serving as the senior diplomatic advisor to U.S. and foreign government leaders, he built bridges across cultural divides, ensuring diverse groups of individuals, governments, organizations and resources could successfully come together to achieve ambitious policy objectives and then effectively communicate the outcomes to a diverse audience. Clay continued his service in the public interest as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, NY from 2016-2019.

An alumnus of the United States Naval Academy and a graduate of Hamden-Sydney College, Clay's graduate degrees include a Master of Arts (Political Science-Applied Politics) from American University; an Executive Master of International Business from Georgetown University; a Corporate MBA from ESADE (Spain); and an Executive Masters in Business Management from FGV/EBAPE (Brazil).

A globally certified expert in diplomatic protocol and corporate etiquette, Clay is a highly sought-after consultant in both the public and private sectors. He regularly advises governments, corporations, private foundations and civil society organizations on matters pertaining to international relations, public diplomacy, stakeholder engagement and diplomatic protocol.

A downloadable copy of Clay's CV can be found by clicking HERE.

For more information on HIGHTOUCH Engagement, please visit our website by clicking the logo below.