Co-leads the communications practice on the firm’s Food team, advising clients and executing campaigns around food, agriculture and public health issues.

Cathy Cochran is a Vice President on Finsbury Glover Hering’s Food team, based in Washington, D.C., and she co-lead’s the team’s communications practice. 
With more than a decade of experience working on a variety of food and agriculture issues, Cathy guides major food brands, industry coalitions and innovative start-ups through crisis communications, executive positioning, advocacy campaigns and more. She draws on her deep policy and issue-area expertise to devise smart strategies for clients that position them in the best possible light while navigating a tough consumer and regulatory landscape. Her work has included managing a high-profile CEO transition for a leading consumer brand and subsequent executive positioning; launching and managing a coalition of like-minded start-up companies as they advocate for an appropriate regulatory environment for their products; and helping multiple companies confront the unique challenges the food industry faced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prior to Finsbury Glover Hering, Cathy served as Press Secretary for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during the Obama Administration. In that role, she traveled extensively both domestically and abroad to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts around trade, anti-hunger, rural development and other initiatives. Earlier in her career, Cathy was a spokesperson for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, where she led communications around foodborne illness outbreaks, animal welfare, antibiotic resistance, food labeling, and trade concerns. 
Cathy has a BA in English from Sewanee. She grew up in the Mississippi Delta and currently lives in Washington, D.C.’s Adam’s Morgan neighborhood.

Over a decade of experience in food and related issues, most recently serving as Press Secretary to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during the Obama Administration.

Loves to try new recipes from vintage cookbooks, and gets outdoors as often as possible.

vice president | USA

Cathy Cochran

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