Catherine Heitman

 

Over the past two decades, Catherine Soileau Heitman has directed public communications activities connected with some of the most challenging public policy issues in recent times.

 

After serving as an aide to U.S. Senator John Breaux in Washington D.C., Catherine joined  Rafael Bermudez & Associates Public Relations in Baton Rouge, where she handled a diverse portfolio of corporate and governmental clients.

 

The Louisiana Department of Education offered Catherine the position of public awareness coordinator, focusing on the state’s education reforms. Her work in education led to her appointment as Communications Director for the University of Louisiana System, which, at the time, oversaw eight universities and 80,000 students statewide. Subsequently, Catherine was asked to lead the communications efforts for the Louisiana Office of Youth Development, serving as a critical team member during a period of groundbreaking juvenile justice reform. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Catherine assumed the post of Communications Director for the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which helped secure $10 billion in federal aid for Louisiana’s recovery and rebuilding.

 

Catherine left state service in January 2008 to form Heitman Communications, a communications consulting firm.  During this time, she worked as communications manager for Community Coffee Company and helped establish markets outside of Louisiana. She has been a contract video producer for Louisiana Economic Development’s award-winning FastStart program. Her PR contracts have included work for Louisiana Board of Regents, University of Louisiana System and UL Monroe.

 

In August of 2012, Catherine accepted a position as an independent associate with Cranch-Hardy & Associates.