Our Team
Colin Hensel
SENIOR DIRECTOR, Digital and AI Innovation & Analytics
Education:
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Hometown:
Bellevue, NE
Colin Hensel serves as the Senior Director of Digital, AI Innovation and Analytics at The Herald Group, where he leads strategic digital advertising campaigns, online listening, and email advocacy efforts for a wide range of clients. He also leads THG's AI practice, focused on building capabilities that make the core work of advocacy sharper and faster.
Since joining the firm in 2020, Colin has played a key role in shaping data-driven advertising and advocacy campaigns that effectively reach and engage key stakeholders.
Prior to joining the firm, Colin worked on Capitol Hill as a member of his hometown Congressman's team, overseeing digital communications including website management, email outreach, and constituent engagement. His experience also includes serving as a Field Representative on Congressman Don Bacon's 2018 re-election campaign, as well as roles at the National Republican Congressional Committee and in the office of former Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.
Colin graduated Highest Distinction from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Writing and Communication Studies.
Research alone rarely drives action. Learn how to translate complex data into compelling stories, reach key decision-makers, and build a public affairs strategy that ensures your findings land.
In litigation, regulatory investigations, and reputational crises, organizations often find themselves trapped between two competing realities: legal counsel wants to minimize risk, while stakeholders want answers. Here’s how to communicate when you cannot share the whole story.
Audience research can do more than inform one campaign. Synthetic audiences help public affairs teams pressure-test messaging, extend research value and adapt faster as issues, audiences and news cycles shift.
Audience research can do more than inform one campaign. Synthetic audiences help public affairs teams pressure-test messaging, extend research value and adapt faster as issues, audiences and news cycles shift.
Prince William County’s data center votes aren’t the end of the industry. They’re a reminder that communities need more than facts and figures. They need to understand what these projects mean for their future and why they should welcome them.
SCOTUS ruling reshapes campaign spending, giving party committees new leverage and changing how corporate advocacy teams plan for 2026.