Kevin Eckstrom

Kevin Eckstrom joined Washington National Cathedral in 2015 as Chief Communications Officer, and became Chief Public Affairs Officer in 2023. 

His principal portfolio includes external Cathedral engagement, strategic messaging, media relations, crisis communications and the award-winning Cathedral Age magazine. As a member of the Cathedral’s Executive Team, he serves as editor-at-large and works with the Dean and Chief Operating Officer to advance the Cathedral’s core mission priorities and to develop programs to build audiences and awareness for the Cathedral.

He has directed media for the State Funerals for President George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, as well as funeral rites for Senators John McCain, Bob Dole and John Warner, and for Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright. 

In 2023, Eckstrom authored a history of the Cathedral’s Now and Forever stained glass windows, and was the principal author of a 2024 report that detailed the Cathedral’s racial history.

Eckstrom came to the Cathedral after 15 years at Religion News Service. During his nine years as editor-in-chief, RNS was named Best News Service by the Associated Church Press six times. He holds degrees from The George Washington University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

He is a proud Massachusetts native but considers Washington his longtime home, where he can indulge his passion for presidential history, including a deep dive on the fascinating legacy of Woodrow Wilson.