Firm Announces 13 New Hires in 2023 with Katherine Bukowski and Sukanya Walhekar Joining as Senior Associates; Tim Andre Joining as Associate
Washington, D.C. – Narrative Strategies announced a significant expansion of its in-house research capabilities today with the addition of Heather Owens, who will lead the firm’s research practice as Senior Director. Owens is an experienced research professional and joins Narrative from the Democratic Governors Association, where she served as Research Director since 2015. Owens is the latest senior hire by Narrative as the firm continues to enhance its expanded capabilities, including an in-house creative team and digital advertising function. Narrative also announced the hiring of Senior Associates Katherine Bukowski and Sukanya Walhekar and Strategic Communications Associate Tim Andre. With these latest additions, Narrative has announced 13 new hirings in 2023 alone.
“Heather will add immediate value for our clients, taking us to the next level in solving complex challenges, managing risk, performing due diligence, and incorporating thorough research into the strategies we execute on their behalf,” said Narrative Strategies Founding Partner Ken Spain. “Her experience in political campaigns and the private sector will allow us to deliver a better communications product by producing comprehensive research and analysis and incorporating it into everything we do. Katherine, Tim, and Sukanya are talented, hard-working strategic communications professionals who can deliver high-quality and thoughtful work for our expanding client roster.”
As Research Director for the Democratic Governors Association, Heather Owens played a senior role in nearly every competitive governor’s race in the country and developed extensive background on a wide range of issues fought across battleground states. In 2015 she was hired to build the first research department at the committee and in the most recent election cycle, Owens led a staff of 16 researchers who supported campaigns and independent expenditures, helped drive earned and paid media, and advised a due diligence operation that filed more than 2,200 records requests. Before her time at the DGA, Owens led research for the independent expenditure arm of EMILY’s List. She also worked as a researcher for Information Management Services, Inc., and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Owens holds a bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and a master’s from George Washington University.
Katherine Bukowski comes to Narrative after serving as a senior research analyst at Public Opinion Strategies, one of the country’s leading polling firms, where she compiled and analyzed insights from voter and consumer research. Bukowski earned a bachelor’s degree from Miami University.
Sukanya Walhekar comes to Narrative after working as an associate at Hamilton Place Strategies (now Penta Group). She previously served as a Political Officer at British Embassy in Washington and worked on political campaigns in digital and communications roles. She earned a bachelor’s degree from King’s College London.
Tim Andre has joined Narrative from the political consulting firm Targeted Victory, where he was a client strategy analyst. Andre also previously interned at the National Review Institute. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross.