Public Affairs Veteran Damian O'Doherty Launches New Firm Focused on AI-Era Leadership
Longtime Maryland public affairs figure Damian O'Doherty has launched O'Doherty & Associates, a new venture focused on helping leaders navigate the artificial intelligence era through specialized expertise in law, influence, media, and capital strategy.
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. The new venture represents a significant shift in approach to public affairs, specifically designed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in modern leadership and influence.
O'Doherty explained his departure from the firm he helped build over 17 years by noting that "the canvas in public affairs has changed." His new company will focus on helping leaders, institutions, and innovators "gain resonance in the AI epoch" by combining expertise across multiple disciplines including law, influence, media, and capital strategy. This integrated approach reflects the increasingly complex landscape that modern organizations must navigate.
The new firm operates as a "family of firms" with operations spanning Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Colorado, while maintaining global reach. The organizational structure includes a Maryland-based law practice, an Aspen influence and public-affairs agency, and a global capital network. Among its specialized offerings is Health Counsel, a practice dedicated to advising healthcare executives on policy and strategy matters.
O'Doherty brings substantial experience to his new venture, having helped shape some of the region's most significant projects over his career. His portfolio includes healthcare advocacy, infrastructure expansion, and economic development initiatives around the Port of Baltimore and the D.C. Beltway. He was also an early investor in MGM National Harbor and played a key role in developing affordable housing initiatives for firefighters in Aspen.
"The boxing gloves that built KO don't fit what's next," O'Doherty stated, emphasizing that today's public-affairs environment demands "new tools, sharper instincts, and a broader canvas." This perspective underscores the fundamental shift in how influence is built and maintained in an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and digital communication.
The firm's approach recognizes that artificial intelligence and human storytelling are collectively reshaping the very nature of influence across multiple sectors. From statehouses and health systems to data centers and global markets, O'Doherty & Associates aims to guide leaders through this transformative period. "Firms must be fit to fight for a new future," O'Doherty declared, signaling his belief that the public affairs industry requires fundamental adaptation to remain relevant and effective.
The launch represents more than just a new business venture—it signals a broader industry evolution toward integrated services that can address the complex interplay between technology, policy, and public perception in the AI era. As organizations grapple with rapid technological change, the need for sophisticated guidance that bridges traditional public affairs with emerging digital realities becomes increasingly critical for maintaining competitive advantage and public trust.