FUTURE READY: A Conversation with Ken Buraker on Creative Leadership at Curley Company

At Curley Company, we believe creative is more than content—it’s influence, story, design and strategy in action. As we accelerate into the AI era, we’re bringing new perspectives into our senior leadership team. I’m pleased to welcome Ken Buraker as Executive Creative Director—a role that represents our next-level ambition for how design, tech and public affairs converge.

I sat down to ask Ken three questions: Why Curley? Why now? And why creative leadership matters.

Why Curley Company?

KayAnn: Ken, you’ve worked at major agencies and global brands during pivotal times. What drew you to Curley?

Ken: I’ve been fortunate to lead communications and creative across healthcare, tech, public affairs and mission-driven sectors. What drew me to Curley is the opportunity to bring that breadth to one firm that doesn’t separate strategy from storytelling. Curley uniquely combines Washington policy expertise with innovation fluency—and for me, that’s rare. The chance to anchor creative leadership at the highest strategic level—with colleagues who understand both influence and imagination—made this the right place.

Why now?

KayAnn: The landscape is shifting fast. What makes this moment right for a creative leadership investment?

Ken: We’re in a time when everything is changing—the way audiences consume stories, how AI enables scale, how regulation and market disruption shape brand narratives. Organizations no longer have the luxury of separating “strategy” from “creative.” They need communications that can anticipate and adapt. At Curley, the timing is right to build creative that is digital-first, AI-informed, and deeply integrated with public affairs.

Why creative leadership matters?

KayAnn: You’ll be leading our creative vision—how do you see that role evolving in our world of policy, market, culture?

Ken: Creative leadership today is not just about making something look good. It’s about how design, content, and technology come together to move people, shape markets, influence decision-making. My role will be to ensure that at Curley, every campaign—whether for a public affairs initiative, a technology launch, or a reputation challenge—begins with an idea that is compelling and strategic. It’s about human insight first, then smart use of tools and tech to amplify that insight.

Closing thoughts:

Ken’s arrival is more than a hire. It’s part of how Curley is evolving—expanding our scope of influence by adding creative leadership that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our strategic and policy capabilities. Whether you’re navigating regulation, launching innovation, or strengthening reputation—you’ll find in Curley a partner that speaks to the full picture.