Future Ready: A Conversation with Heather Knox on Curley Company’s West Coast Expansion

Global communications leader brings experience from Microsoft, Amazon, SAP, Nissan, and Renault to launch Curley West in Seattle

At Curley Company, a Washington, D.C.–based strategic communications and public affairs agency, we’ve spent more than two decades helping leaders navigate the intersection of markets, policy, regulation, and influence. Our clients come to us when the stakes are highest — disruption, regulation, or public perception can redefine an industry overnight.

Now, the pace of change is only accelerating. AI is reshaping business models, policymakers are moving faster, and influence no longer flows in straight lines. For Curley, this is the right moment to grow — and to bring our expertise to the West Coast.

I am proud to welcome Heather Knox as Executive Vice President, leading the launch of Curley West in Seattle. Heather has held senior communications roles at Microsoft, Amazon, SAP, Nissan, and Renault, and most recently advised startups through high-growth moments. She’s led teams through some of the most transformative events in business — and now she’s chosen to bring that global perspective to agency life with Curley.

To mark this milestone, I sat down with Heather to ask three questions: Why Curley? Why now? And why Seattle?

Too many leaders are told to “get out there” without a strategy that connects their voice to real outcomes. They publish articles, speak on panels, post on LinkedIn – yet struggle to see ROI, resonance or impact.

Executives who lead with visibility have the power to shape industries, influence policy and drive organizational success. But without clarity and intention, visibility becomes noise. The result? Missed opportunities to influence what matters most: reputation, policy, talent and business goals.

Why Curley Company?

KayAnn: You’ve worked at some of the biggest companies in the world. Why make the move to agency life — and why Curley?

Heather: I feel fortunate to have had a seat at the table at major companies during times of industry and company transformation — at Microsoft, Amazon, SAP, Nissan, and Renault – and to partner with startup founders as they launch their dreams, too. As a communications leader, we get to see a wide spectrum of what makes companies successful, from operations to culture to AI innovation – and also the risks and the landmines. I realized I wanted my next chapter to have both variety and impact. What drew me to the agency side, and to Curley specifically, is the chance to apply my experience across many organizations at once, from Fortune 100s to startups. I also love being part of a team of expert communicators with diverse experience – and a mindset of being constantly on the cutting edge of our profession.

Curley has a reputation for being at the center of influence in Washington, D.C. and understanding the macro landscape. You can apply that competency at state and local level too. I’m on the board of a foundation and I can see first-hand the impact of policy decisions that are impacting our local non profits and people in my city. I worked in a sustainability company at a time when regulations about single-use plastics, were vital for the business. The combination of Curley’s depth in public affairs and my background in global tech and transformation felt like the right match especially for the times we’re in.

Why now?

KayAnn: You’ve described this as a moment of inflection. What makes “now” the right time?

Heather: Success today isn’t just about having a great product or service. It’s about navigating AI disruption, public policy, regulation, funding, and the influence models shaping decision-making — all intersecting at once. I went through Covid-19 in an issues-heavy media relations role at Amazon that taught me a lot about macro and grassroots factors that influence a company’s reputation and performance beyond commerce, and I’ll never forget that lesson.

We’re at a point where organizations can’t afford siloed approaches. They need integrated communications counsel that sees the full playing field. Curley is uniquely built for this moment, which is why I knew it was the right time to plug in. While I bring my own experiences to the table, I love to learn and be around curious people with a growth mindset. I love the give-and-take I’ve already experienced here in my short time!

Why Seattle?

KayAnn: Why launch on the West Coast, and specifically in Seattle?

Heather: Seattle is at the heart of global innovation — from AI to climate tech to new business models. It’s also where so many of the world’s most influential companies got their start – Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Microsoft, Starbucks – to name a few. There’s a strong builder’s mindset here, with an amazing ecosystem of organizations started by people who came out of those companies, bringing investment in philanthropy, too. Similar things can be said about the Bay Area. While I happen to be located in the West and do bring a specific set of experiences to Curley, I also worked in Europe for six years and led global teams, so of course this is more than just geography. No tech innovator or CEO can afford to ignore regulatory, policy, funding, culture or geographic variables when bringing their new offering to market and AI makes that even more clear. Launching Curley West here means we can be close to those innovators, while connecting them back to the public affairs and policy expertise Curley has honed in Washington, D.C.

It really is the best of both worlds — the innovation energy of the West Coast, and the policy influence of D.C. That intersection is exactly where I want to be.

Closing Thoughts

Heather’s arrival and our West Coast expansion reflect Curley’s commitment to being future ready — helping clients succeed at the intersection of innovation, policy, and influence.

Whether you’re a Fortune 100 company navigating regulation or a startup adapting to AI disruption, Curley Company offers the strategic communications and public affairs counsel needed to win in today’s unpredictable climate.

Contact us to learn how Curley can help your organization thrive.