Benchmark Strategies is proud to announce that Nicole Herendeen has been promoted to the new role of Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs.

Since joining Benchmark in 2017, Nicole has managed public affairs campaigns for startups, local companies, and multinational corporations and helped facilitate a variety of international business delegation visits to Boston. Currently Nicole leads the firm’s Massachusetts public policy reporting practice, providing updates to clients on legislative committee action and bill hearings as well as news from the state Legislature, Supreme Judicial Court, and Executive Departments and Agencies.

Outside of work, Nicole is committed to staying politically engaged in the community. In 2017, she volunteered for Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s re-election campaign, working the phone banks and canvassing. Two years later, Nicole participated in the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) Program, a year-long program for emerging leaders under the age of 40, where she participated in sessions and workshops in management, inclusive leadership, and effective communications. She is also a member in the Young Professionals group of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC), a nonpartisan organization committed to increasing the number of women elected to public office and appointed to public policy positions.

Prior to joining Benchmark, Nicole interacted with the political system on a local level through an internship in the Office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5). Here, she researched legislation for the member and legislative staff on a range of topics, including immigration, cybercrime and education issues, federal laws such as the No Child Left Behind Act, federal agencies (e.g., EPA), and nonprofits (e.g., ICANN). In addition, Nicole served as an intern in the Rhode Island State House with Representative Robert E. Craven, where she assisted in research and review of legislation, oversaw the passage of Representative Craven’s revenge porn and sextortion legislation by the House of Representatives, and attended bill hearings and sessions for the House Committee on Judiciary.

Nicole has been recognized as “US 40 under 40” by the Irish Echo in 2021.

Nicole is a proud graduate of Providence College, where she received a degree in Political Science and English and completed the Liberal Arts Honors Program. Originally from Melrose, Nicole currently resides in South Boston, Massachusetts.