Kate Shields is Chief Executive Officer of Vault Communications, a PR Week Outstanding Small Agency of the Year national finalist and one of the fastest-growing marketing communications firms in the U.S. as recognized by Inc. magazine.

For more than two decades, C-level executives have entrusted Kate to counsel them in strategic communication planning, crisis communications, corporate social responsibility, media relations and digital/emerging media. Kate brings valuable client-side perspective to her work, having held communication roles in-house at Campbell Soup Company and ARAMARK. Kate has served as an Adjunct Professor of Communication at La Salle University in Philadelphia and Prague.

She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, The Forum of Executive Women and For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. A mother to three daughters, Kate is passionate about the advancement and equity of women. Named one of the “Most Admired CEOs” by the Philadelphia Business Journal and one of the nation’s “Top Women in PR” by PR News, Kate’s grandparents hail from Counties Donegal, Mayo and Sligo.