For over 10 years, Taylor has provided public affairs strategy and advice to Fortune 100 companies, high-profile public figures, start-ups, and national nonprofits. 

When Hunton decided to build out its long-standing government relations practice to be the full-service public affairs arm of the global law firm, Taylor was the managing director’s first hire to lead the new strategic communications and advocacy work of the group.

She regularly provides advice and counsel as it relates to internal and external communications, strategic development, media relations, and public awareness to Fortune 100 companies, tech startups, renewable energy developers, higher education institutions, economic development projects, issue-advocacy initiatives, high-profile public figures, national and local nonprofits, and other companies. In this role, she executes comprehensive advocacy and communications campaigns for clients of the public affairs group and law firm. She also often advises on crisis communications and strategic communications campaigns for law firm clients in need of precise, tactical, or political-style communications support.

Prior to joining Hunton, Taylor ran her own communications and public affairs firm with clients ranging from candidates running for office at the local, state and federal level; a coalition of leading tech companies; statewide and local issue advocacy campaigns; and, national and local nonprofits. Her company provided diverse services to meet each client’s unique needs, from traditional communications and public relations, to comprehensive public affairs work, grassroots campaigns, and traditional and social media consulting.

Taylor got her start in politics, taking a semester off of college to be the press assistant to Mrs. Cindy McCain on the late Senator John McCain’s 2008 campaign for president. In this role, she quickly learned the fast-paced world of campaign communications, working with the communications director on messaging, booking targeted national interviews for Mrs. McCain, managing daily communications efforts and providing press staffing for Mrs. McCain on the campaign trail.

After graduating from college she moved to Richmond, Virginia to work for Governor Bob McDonnell, starting on his campaign and serving in his administration. During the McDonnell Administration she rose through the press office, ultimately serving as press secretary for one of the nation’s most high-profile governors in 2012-2013. She assisted with strategy development and communications planning, served as the chief spokesperson for the governor, and advised on policy messaging.

Following the McDonnell Administration, Taylor led regional communications for national nonprofit Teach For America, where she executed media and public relations strategies for seven of Teach For America’s regions — including three in high-profile communities and large media markets: Dallas, Houston, and Washington DC — to tell the story of each unique region and the work going on there by the organization.

Relevant Experience

• Founder, Taylor T. Keeney, LLC
• Managing Director of Regional Communications, Teach For America
• Press Secretary, Office of Governor Robert F. McDonnell
• Press Assistant, John McCain for President

Education
BA, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Southern Methodist University, 2009

• Working moms could almost have it all. Then COVID-19 hit, Richmond Times Dispatch
• Taylor Keeney Column: Give a Little, Give A Lot, Give What You Can, Richmond Times-Dispatch
• Virginia’s nonprofits need liability protection, Richmond Times Dispatch