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Kim Paone

Executive Vice President
Kim Paone brings strategic depth and financial communications expertise to Highwire as EVP, anchoring client partnerships in measurable business outcomes and navigating high-stakes moments with precision. Her background spanning Silicon Valley’s volatile highs and lows has shaped her into a leader who stays adaptable and strategic while maintaining unwavering focus on what drives lasting business impact.
Location Sarasota, FL & NYC
Social Media LinkedIn

Fun Fact
I Am A Snowbird And Commute Between NY And FL
Business Strategy
How Do You Help Clients Connect Story To Outcome—Especially In High-Stakes Moments?
In high-stakes moments, I anchor clients in what truly matters: their desired business outcome. My financial communications background taught me to keep my focus laser-sharp on measurable results while crafting narratives that drive action. Whether it’s an IPO, M&A, or navigating policy changes, I partner closely with our public affairs team to help clients understand how potential regulatory shifts could impact their business and shape strategic narratives that influence outcomes. It’s about connecting authentic storytelling to the reputation drivers that work hardest for their success.
Industry/Service Expertise
How Does Your Background Shape The Way You Lead In Fast-Evolving Industries?
My foundation in English literature and Shakespeare gave me deep insight into narrative construction—how to build compelling stories, shift perceptions, and make them resonate across diverse audiences. This proved invaluable during my Silicon Valley years, where I guided clients through the volatile highs and lows of the dot-com era and major financial milestones like IPOs and M&A. Those experiences taught me to stay adaptable and strategic in fast-moving environments while maintaining focus on what drives lasting business impact. In industries defined by constant change, the ability to craft clear, compelling narratives becomes your competitive advantage.
Strategic Marcomms
What Role Does Storytelling Play In Helping Brands Lead Through Change?
Storytelling transforms uncertainty into opportunity by creating clarity within even the fields chaotic. Strong narratives aren’t just about inspiration—they’re about building stakeholder trust, shaping perceptions, and helping stakeholders navigate complex transformations with confidence. When executed strategically, storytelling becomes the bridge that connects where you are today with where you need to be tomorrow, ensuring every audience understands not just what’s changing, but why it matters and how it benefits them.
Client Results
What's A Campaign Or Client Partnership You're Especially Proud Of–And What Made It Successful?
I’m especially proud of our award-winning work across multiple high-stakes client partnerships. Our Mr. Cooper campaign advocated for homeowners and lenders during the pandemic, keeping the dream of homeownership alive when it mattered most—earning recognition from PR Week and Provoke. Similarly, our strategic partnership with Bread Financial through their restructuring and rebrand, and our work with SVB to demonstrate how SVB and parent bank FCB are stronger together, showcase our ability to navigate complex financial narratives during critical business moments. What made these successful was our focus on authentic storytelling that connected human impact with business outcomes.
Our Culture
What's One Moment At Highwire That Made You Feel Especially Connected To The Team Or Mission?
After more than a decade at Highwire, it’s not the big moments that define my connection—it’s the accumulation of countless small ones. The daily collaborations, shared victories, and collective problem-solving that happen when you’re surrounded by people who genuinely care about each other’s success and our clients’ outcomes. These moments add up to something powerful: a culture where excellence isn’t just expected, it’s nurtured, and where every challenge becomes an opportunity to grow stronger together.

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