A familiar face in the Missouri Capitol is now expanding her reach to western states.
Kristian Starner, currently with Clout Public Affairs, a subsidiary of Axiom Strategies, will soon join Cerner’s government affairs team. Starner will oversee efforts in Northwestern states as a government strategist.
“As a Kansas City native with my experience at Axiom and Clout, Cerner was a logical career move,” said Starner. “I couldn’t be more excited to parlay my experiences in Jefferson City and take them to the next level. I look forward to joining Cerner’s team in order to meet their legislative goals.”
Last election cycle, Starner was active in Eric Schmitt’s successful campaign for State Treasurer and she subsequently helped lead the launch of Axiom Strategies’ new public affairs arm, known as Clout Public Affairs.
Starner began her career in politics in late 2008, gaining experience working with Brent Hemphill & Associates, one of the top lobbying firms in Missouri. Since this time, Kristian worked on a variety of issues for clients in the education, healthcare and agriculture sector.
“It has been an honor to work at Axiom and Clout. Their commitment to data-driven results and follow-through has only made me a better employee,” said Starner. “I am really excited for this next chapter in my career. The timing was right and everyone at Axiom has been really supportive of this opportunity.”
“No one can outwork Kristian Starner,” said Jeff Roe, founder of Axiom Strategies. “In the capitol or from a sales perspective with political campaigns, Kristian was a high-volume employee that got results for clients and our company.”
Kristian worked alongside Aaron Baker, the Vice President of Clout Public Affairs, in the state capitol. “It was an honor to work with Kristian and I look forward to watching her successes at Cerner,” said Baker. “She will be an invaluable asset to the company.”
Rachael Herndon was editor of The Missouri Times until 2019. She also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. Herndon joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer. In 2019, she entered Missouri’s cannabis industry, co-founding Greenway Magazine.
