Behind great work is a great team.
As Subject Matter’s Senior Video Editor, Leslie brings video concepts to life. Be it live-action or animated in nature, narrative, or abstract in concept, Leslie creates engaging and cohesive video-based products. With almost a decade of experience in film and television throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and New York City, Leslie can execute almost any visual concept imaginable and is passionate about delivering a final product anyone would be proud of. Prior to joining the Subject Matter team, Leslie worked as a freelance editor, which allowed her to work on various award-winning independent films.
Raymond, affectionately called “Ray,” possesses more than a 15 years of web design and development experience. Ray has coded in various development languages and developed in different Content Management Systems. But he calls he WordPress “home,” supporting many of our WordPress clients. He has experience in both the agency and government sector, with the Department of State, the U.S. Mint, among the companies that he has developed for.
Dave brings decades of experience and a successful track record in finance, law and executive leadership to Subject Matter. As Chief Financial Officer, he oversees and manages our finance and accounting operations, promoting the success and growth of the firm. He began his career in corporate finance and corporate tax law, before moving on to manage several private equity growth portfolio companies as a COO and CFO. Prior to the communications field, Dave worked in a variety of industries – including biotechnology, healthcare, real estate, aircraft maintenance, and more. He’s led many companies to a successful monetization event with a financial or strategic buyer. Outside of finance, Dave has played leading roles in strategic planning, legal, human resources, risk management, business operations, acquisition due diligence and integration. He believes the keys to success for his job are an entrepreneurial spirit and a good sense of humor (despite what his daughters think!).
Born and raised in Southern California, Emily began her career in Los Angeles working at ICM Partners, one of the four biggest talent agencies. She then moved to Jerry Bruckheimer Television, a world-renowned television brand, and worked in development and production on shows such as "Lucifer," "LA’s Finest" and "CSI: Vegas." Emily decided to follow her interests and recently switched coasts. She's thrilled to bring her skills and expertise to Subject Matter's account leadership team. Outside of work, she is a volunteer and coordinator with the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force, an organization promoting peaceful and safe access to reproductive health clinics in the region. She is also very civically engaged, volunteering for several political campaigns and nonprofits in the past.
Lindsay develops and executes strategic communication plans supporting clients’ goals while leveraging her legislative and regulatory policy expertise in infrastructure, privacy and technology. Prior to Subject Matter, she directed the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Public Affairs and served as the agency’s chief spokesperson. Lindsay also ran corporate communications for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and spent a decade working for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York. In Schumer’s office, she led digital media strategy for the leader and democratic caucus, worked on political campaigns with Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and served as speechwriter.
Caitlin joined Subject Matter in 2022 with more than 12 years of experience in politics and lobbying. Caitlin specializes in healthcare, with additional expertise in tax and trade practice areas regarding issues involving the Ways & Means Committee, House Republican leadership and the House Republican Conference. Most recently, she served as a principal for Capitol Counsel LLC since 2018. Prior to that, she spent her Capitol Hill tenure working for Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California, a former senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee. Among other roles, she served as deputy chief of staff, helping advance healthcare, trade and tax issues, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. She also managed the congressman’s Washington, D.C. political operation and was his lead staffer on Republican Steering Committee matters.
Michael is the director of full-stack engineering with a focus on web-based applications, and oversees the architecture and development of web applications and Software as a Service. Before joining Subject Matter, he was a senior developer at Nexient in Ann Arbor, MI, working on e-commerce websites for companies such as Williams-Sonoma. Michael currently lives in Michigan with his wife.
Mia’s passion and a wide range of policy and research experience make her a perfect fit as a research associate at Subject Matter. In her role, she supports the government relations team with research, writing and fundraising efforts for a variety of clients. Prior to Subject Matter, Mia interned in both houses of Congress, for her Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio. She researched veterans’ issues, immigration, human rights and housing, working closely with caseworkers and constituents. Mia has also worked as an organizing fellow for Sen. Chris Murphy’s “Fight Back Connecticut” campaign and Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr.’s campaign for Connecticut Legislature.
Claire supports the government relations team in research, writing and fundraising efforts for clients, putting her wide range of policy experience to use for our clients. Prior to Subject Matter, Claire worked at multiple Democratic research firms, where she conducted research for candidates in battleground Senate, House and governor’s races. Claire also interned for Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and in the Connecticut General Assembly.
Shane is a project manager with a passion for business and brand development. He works on some of our biggest accounts, helping to keep projects on track and on budget. Before Subject Matter, he began his project management journey with Lamb Consulting Group, a small consulting firm in Maryland that works with businesses ranging from restaurants to law firms. Shane always says people are his passion and serving as a bridge that connects people to their goals is what matters most to him.
Matthew’s love for all things creative shines through his work. He attended American University where he studied foreign language and communications media. After several years in various marketing and communications roles, he found his true passion in graphic design and visual media, and decided to pursue it professionally. As a junior graphic designer, Matthew assists the creative team with all aspects of design and creative concepting. He designs data visualizations and works on the layout and design of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s magazine.
Sara works as an associate on Subject Matter's strategic communications team. In this role, she handles media management and outreach, new business research and message development for a variety of clients. Prior to Subject Matter, Sara worked for the New Bedford Whaling Museum and Art Museum, handled PR for LEWIS Global Communications, and most recently was part of the National Association of Independent Schools’ internal marketing team.
Versatile and reliable, Eridania brings more than five years of experience supporting managers and directors in fast-paced environments to Subject Matter’s accounting office. Prior to Subject Matter, she worked as an accounts payable supervisor at CRAssociates, Inc. and, before that, in accounting and hotel management at Marriott Hotels in New Orleans. Her expertise in processes improvement, accounts payable and receivable and data analysis makes her an integral part of our team.
Zach works with the strategic communications team helping clients find their voice and amplify it to the right audience. He’s helped devise media strategies and conduct targeted outreach for a range of clients, from tech startups to conservation campaigns. Before joining Subject Matter, he worked in a similar role at Signal Group. Zach started his career in sports media, first as a reporter and then in team communications, before shifting to the creative advocacy and general communications space.
Stephen draws on his more than 15 years of experience in website design to build intuitive, robust websites. He currently supports several websites for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and has built interactive tools for our clients as well. Before joining Subject Matter, Stephen worked at Spargo creating an online registration system for large medical conferences. Prior to that, he worked at ICF and Goldbelt Hawk, an Alaskan-Native-owned consulting firm.
Chloe works with the strategic communications team to coordinate media outreach campaigns for a range of clients. Before joining Subject Matter, she worked with a communications group in Los Angeles, where she carried out research and analysis to best position clients in the media. She has also interned in both the House and Senate, writing communication materials and crafting social media content. Chloe recently graduated from UCLA where she studied political science and communication.
As head of the human resources team, Irene oversees all HR programs and projects to support Subject Matter's award-winning work in delivering top results for clients. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Irene worked at a D.C.-based political and public affairs consulting firm. She oversaw the production team for a number of election cycles, including numerous U.S. Senate and House races across the nation and a presidential campaign, before shifting her career to HR. Irene's experiences working within the fast-paced world of professional services have played a large role in the development of her HR philosophy today. She works to cultivate a culture where team members are supported and excited to come to work every day.
As Subject Matter's executive producer, Liz operates from the mindset of “what’s possible?” She loves to build the perfect team to execute work, including video production, photography, motion graphics and editorial. Most of all, she enjoys puzzles and finding solutions. Whether it's a tiny budget, a tight timeline or a last-minute, late-night need to have a purple unicorn on set the next morning, Liz does what needs to be done, so the work is the best it can be. Then she probably takes a quick nap before she does it all over again.
Vanessa is an animator who enjoys using experimental techniques to create comedic and introspective animations. Her talent, passion and enthusiasm infuse her work and delight viewers. She creates illustrations and animations for the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and also works on motion graphics and storyboarding. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Vanessa was an animator at PBS Kids where she won a Daytime Emmy for her work on the “PBS Kids Talk About” series.
Kat works to guide strategy and content development across Subject Matter's diverse client set, bringing a passion for storytelling, an extensive expertise in media, and a deep understanding of the inner workings of the Hill. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Kat worked as editor-at-large at CQ Roll Call, where she kept track of all the mechanics of legislative policymaking and the intricacies of Senate rules. She also spent eight years at USA TODAY working in a wide variety of editing and reporting roles, from breaking news to health and finance. In addition to her congressional expertise, Kat has a deep understanding of science that our clients benefit from.
Christiana is a Maryland native and former Terp. She has always had a passion for reading and writing and has a bachelor’s degree in English. Before joining Subject Matter, she spent more than two years supporting marketing needs and managing the behind-the-scenes operations of I Support the Girls, a nonprofit that provides bras, underwear and menstrual hygiene products to homeless women. Christy’s superb writing skills and attention to detail make her a critical member of the team.
Susan joined Subject Matter after a long career in journalism, consulting and executive management. As a media executive, she was editor in chief of Woman’s Day and womansday.com, which she revitalized during her tenure by connecting deeply with its audience of 15+ million American women. The magazine was the top-selling monthly on U.S. newsstands from 2016 to 2019. The throughline of Susan’s career — and her passion — is storytelling that informs and inspires, gives value, and reflects purpose. She brings this perspective to Subject Matter, where she develops content and media strategy for clients that include the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Women’s Heart Alliance, and Bedtime Math. Drawing on her years of experience advocating for women, she is spearheading a new thought leadership initiative at Subject Matter aimed at amplifying the voices, values and visibility of women executives. Susan is a proud volunteer who sits on the board of WomenHeart, a Washington, D.C. patient-centered nonprofit, She also serves on the American Heart Association’s Communications and Marketing Coordinating Committee and the Board Marketing Committee of Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest nonprofit victim services organization.
Rebecca spent more than a decade working in the House of Representatives, most recently serving as chief of staff to Rep. Trey Hollingsworth of Indiana, where she honed her expertise in member decision-making, communications, and her passion for achieving stakeholder goals. Previously, she served as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for former Rep. Chris Gibson of New York. Her legislative experience — on issues ranging from financial services to agriculture to education and workforce development — contributes to Subject Matter’s ability to deliver versatile integrated strategy and execution across a range of sectors. Before her time on Capitol Hill, Rebecca worked at the Consumer Bankers Association.
Danny compiles media coverage reports to track television, radio and digital viewership metrics across Subject Matter clients. He assists in pitching and producing virtual media tours across 200+ DMAs in the nation, and collects and edits interviews handled by the media team for news stations across the country. Before joining Subject Matter, Danny worked in the control room and studio newsroom as an operations technician for WBAL TV in Baltimore, MD.
Sandra is a skilled lobbyist on Subject Matter's Government Relations team. Most recently she served as the chief of staff for Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas). She brings a unique scientific perspective to her work, having a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. Sandra has nearly 20 years of experience both as a senior congressional staffer on Capitol Hill and working in the scientific, academic and health care community. Before her role as a chief of staff, Sandra worked as the director of member services for the House Democratic Caucus and Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. She previously served as the policy director for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus under Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham and got her start in Congress working as a legislative assistant for Congressman Joaquin Castro.
Stephen combines his extensive experience in strategic communications, public affairs and issue advocacy to help clients tell their stories and achieve their goals. He has worked with a variety of clients from small nonprofits and startups to Fortune 50 companies across industries. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Stephen worked at Ketchum and The Raben Group, where he advised clients on strategies and campaigns to address some of the country's most pressing social justice and public interest issues. Outside of work, he is an active member of his community, volunteering with a number of DMV nonprofits including SMYAL, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth in the region. Stephen has a master’s degree from American University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Emily’s passion for producing and covering news-making moments is a great asset in her role as a member of the media team at Subject Matter, where she helps our clients earn coverage on national and local news networks. Before joining Subject Matter, she served as a producer, editor and reporter for major network news outlets, including MSNBC, ABC News, CBS News and the Associated Press, covering breaking news, national and international politics while based in New York and Washington, D.C.
Connor works alongside the client leadership team to implement meaningful creative strategy for Subject Matter clients. Before joining Subject Matter, he successfully led a team at the National Student Advertising Competition in crafting strategic marketing campaigns for clients such as Tinder and Adobe. His love for coffee paired well with his time working as a consultant for Hala Tree Coffee Co, where he helped to launch the brand in Japan.
Alana provides creative solutions to Subject Matter as a junior art director. Her work on Live Wildly has helped bring attention to conservation efforts in Florida and she enjoys creating, designing and animating for all platforms. Alana began her career at J. Walter Thompson in Venezuela, where she coordinated the execution of local campaigns from their inception. She then proceeded to work as a freelancer on different international projects, conceptualizing insightful ideas and winning a few awards along the way.
As part of the project management team, Alison helps to create vendor and client invoices, maintain budgets and schedules, and assist in managing client projects. In her role, she draws on her experience in management, marketing and teamwork. Before coming to Subject Matter, Alison worked as a marketing intern at Pycube, Inc., where she worked to create content, run social media and organize client information. Prior to that, she moved up through the ranks of management in retail, where she managed large projects and executed them in a timely manner.
Gwen, an office administrator at Subject Matter, is an accomplished executive with many years of project and office management experience in private, corporate, education and military entities. Prior to Subject Matter, she worked as an executive assistant at GE Global Government Affairs and Policy. She enjoys teaching and is the co-founder of a private university in Ghana and a substitute teacher in Prince George County Public Schools. She is a U.S. Marine Corps reservist who enjoys exciting challenges.
Beth’s passion for persuasion and creativity is clear to anyone who is lucky enough to work with her. She contributes to the account leadership team as a seasoned relationship manager across various nonprofit and for-profit clients. She knows fostering strong relationships is fundamental to producing good work — an insight that informs all of her work. Before joining Subject Matter, she was a group account director at advertising agency Merkley+Partners in New York, where she steered the Mercedes-Benz USA business and global coordination. Beth has worked on accounts across the automotive, consumer packaged goods, beverage, healthcare and finance industries. She has extensive knowledge in developing multi-channel marketing programs including broadcast and print production, social, digital, sponsorships and events.
Kate provides support creating and implementing digital strategy for Subject Matter clients. Prior to joining, Kate worked at a Maryland-based STEM nonprofit as the marketing coordinator, where she executed marketing campaigns and ran the organization’s website and social media. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications and a minor in professional writing.
Michael brings more than 30 years of engineering experience and team leadership credentials to Subject Matter. He has been at the forefront of creative software solutions since the very beginning of his career, when he was selected to help lead the development of the very first do-it-yourself travel booking system for businesses. Throughout the years Michael has architected systems for the U.S. government and military as well as programs for well-known brands like Adidas and Williams-Sonoma. He brings his wealth of experience to lead our technology and development teams in creating websites and innovative software solutions for our clients.
Alena’s 10+ years of digital and social media expertise spans a wide variety of industries, including technology, energy, CPG, travel/tourism, education, political, public policy and issue advocacy. She is skilled in developing sound strategies that bring quantifiable engagement and results to clients through multi-layered digital and social media communications strategies. Alena began her career as a traditional and digital media planner at a few creative agencies before transitioning to digital director at Smart Media Group, where she led the digital effort in the 2012 election cycle. From there, she moved to BCW (formerly Burson Masteller) where she focused on paid digital outreach for clients. Most recently, Alena led the digital strategy team at DCI Group, which specializes in public relations, crisis management, grassroots engagement and digital advocacy for public policy-focused clients.
Veronica leads media outreach for Spanish- and English-language markets across the country on behalf of Subject Matter clients. Prior to joining the team, she was an editorial producer for CNN en Español (CNNE), where she produced, pitched and coordinated daily guests for major CNNE shows. Before that, Veronica worked for TBS Latam in the Media Content Acquisition Department, screening and assigning pertinent content.
Caroline develops strategies for Subject Matter clients to achieve their goals, identify new opportunities and generate national media recognition. She recently oversaw the “Women Can Have It All. Even Heart Disease.” PSA campaign on behalf of the Women’s Heart Alliance (WHA) to educate women about the risks associated with heart disease. The PSA ads and WHA leadership have been featured in The New York Times, People Magazine and USA Today. Caroline relocated to Washington, D.C. after working at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she oversaw citywide public health awareness campaigns. Her work has been presented at the American Public Health Association’s annual conference. She serves as an advisor to CheckUp & Choices and is a founding member of Impact100 DC’s Health & Wellness Committee.
Whitney's passion for storytelling and finding compelling ways to connect through media makes her a great addition to the Subject Matter team, and her work has helped our clients reach their target audiences through TV hits. Before joining, Whitney was a producer for CBS News affiliate services, where she covered politics and major breaking news events in the field. She also wrote and produced feature stories that aired on CBS stations nationwide.
Samara’s organizational prowess and more than five years of account management experience make her a critical part of Subject Matter’s account leadership team. She has successfully orchestrated multiple virtual events for clients, drawing audiences of policymakers, journalists and other influencers. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Samara led strategic digital communications efforts for federal government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Samara began her career at Ogilvy, where she supported award-winning social marketing campaigns.
Lucy's ability to hone in on clients' needs and stay on top of the changing media landscape helps her create and carry out media outreach campaigns that hit the mark. She uses the newest generation of media sources to inform her outreach and earned strategy for clients, ranging in sectors from tech policy to healthcare, and more. Lucy began her time with Subject Matter as an intern and has since joined the firm full-time. Prior to joining the team, she interned at a Philadelphia-based nonprofit, One Art, where she worked in event coordination and program development.
Lizzie's passion for uplifting important issues through creative strategy and authentic storytelling makes her a great fit for the Subject Matter team. Her clients benefit from her can-do attitude and ability to solve seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Prior to joining, Lizzie was the director of communications for Vital Voices, an international women’s leadership nonprofit. There, she oversaw branding and messaging, managed the organization’s external channels, and helped create content to showcase the impact and importance of women’s leadership. Lizzie began her career at Edelman, where she honed her skills in content development, communications strategy, digital communications, executive counsel, and developing new ways to push issues forward.
Claudio is a creative and strategic thinker who crafts attention-getting digital posts for Subject Matter’s clients and excels at driving strong results. A fluent Spanish speaker, Claudio is an important part of Subject Matter’s Spanish-language practice. Prior to joining, Claudio worked for former Florida Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Donna Shalala during their tenures in Congress. There, Claudio worked heavily across social media platforms, promoting the members' policy efforts and creating ways to inform and engage constituents.
Anna works with an array of Subject Matter clients to bring strategy and insight to the forefront of our work. She collaborates with her teammates to facilitate clear communication between the agency and clients, working to achieve goals while ensuring deliverables exceed expectations. Before joining the team, Anna worked at Monument Wealth Management where she helped modernize the brand’s digital presence to better suit the growing organization’s needs. Earlier in her career, she honed her D.C. communications skills writing for Washington Life Magazine and interning at McGuireWoods Consulting, where she learned the inner workings of public affairs
Meredith brings her passions for communications, development and advocacy to her work at Subject Matter. Prior to joining, she worked on political campaigns, most recently as a field organizer on the Amy McGrath for Senate campaign in Kentucky. Before that, she interned for North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein’s reelection campaign. Meredith has also worked as a fundraising consultant at Physicians for Human Rights, where she communicated with donors, researched grants and foundations, and updated key data and information.
Keith brings more than a decade of experience on Capitol Hill to the team at Subject Matter. He most recently worked as general counsel to Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, driving strategy, coalition building, business outreach and policy for her major legislative initiatives. Prior to his time in the Senate, he was a tax counsel and economic policy advisor to a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee. Keith works with clients to strategize how their assets and goals match the priorities of members of Congress and the Administration. He also helps train executives unfamiliar with D.C. on how to be their own best advocate. He has a deep policy background on a broad range of issues, including tax and finance, data security and technology, industrial policy and ethics and campaign finance. Keith maintains strong ties to New York City and New York State, and spent much of his career leading policy efforts pertaining to the finances and technologies of companies, ranging from start-ups to multinationals, across industries.
Christine applies her passion for creativity to build compelling interactive projects for a wide variety of clients. She’s a WordPress developer who focuses on front-end development and animations. Before joining the team, Christine was a developer at LeaseLabs, where she oversaw the development of apartment and rental websites. Prior to that, she attended a coding bootcamp, where she developed multiple client-side projects through full-stack web development and led wireframe design with an emphasis on UI/UX.
Maggie brings a wealth of knowledge and more than two decades of experience as an account lead to the team at Subject Matter. In her role, Maggie oversees a team of more than15 account directors and managers, manages client relationships, and plays a key role in developing new business. Prior to joining the team, she worked at agencies in Washington, D.C. and New York, where she led accounts teams, large and small, to execute campaigns across digital advertising, social marketing, and various forms of communications and media. Maggie’s past clients include McDonald’s, Lowe’s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Children’s National Hospital.
A Subject Matter veteran, Paul oversees the firm's digital creative products and processes to ensure high-quality end results every time. He develops strategies and design for apps, interactive experiences and websites. Paul worked at Subject Matter as an art director from 2014 to 2018, concepting and producing campaigns and events for our clients. Before rejoining the team, he spent time at SmithGifford and Ketchum, leading art direction for clients like PETA, Children's Hospital, Wendy's, Freddie Mac and Clorox – to name a few.
Genée’s experience leading cross-functional teams from conception through production across nonprofit, corporate and start-up industries makes her a perfect fit for the Subject Matter team. Her background with project management ranges from sourcing, managing vendor relationships, events and community service projects, and she is known as a leader who prioritizes team engagement and morale. Most recently, Genee worked as a senior creative project manager at The George Washington University, where she managed projects and maintained strong working relationships with more than 500 clients.
Emma’s passion for working under pressure and her sixth sense for predicting — and solving — issues before they arise make her a vital part of the Subject Matter team. She has more than three years of experience in the service industry, most recently working as a manager at Little Red Fox in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, she worked as an account manager for Howe Insurance Group in Princeton, New Jersey. Emma has also interned for Greater Greater Washington and Princeton Community Housing in advocacy and development roles, respectively.
Bryce brings two decades of experience in political and legislative affairs to the team at Subject Matter. He began his time on the Hill as a Senate page in the mid-90s. After college, he worked in the House Republican Cloakroom, and later served as a legislative aide for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Most recently, Bryce worked as a senior vice president at CBS Corporation for almost 14 years, where he led federal legislative and political initiatives for the Fortune 500 media company on issues of video policy, copyright, tax, privacy and Internet- related regulations. Prior to that, he was the director of government relations at the National Association of Broadcasters, serving as the chief liaison between the radio/TV broadcaster’s advocacy organization and Congress and the Administration. Earlier in his career, Bryce worked in legislative affairs at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While at the FTC, he was instrumental in establishing the National Do-Not-Call Registry. He also served as the head liaison between the agency and federal officials on antitrust, consumer protection and trade.
Andy has more than a decade of experience developing and implementing creative, results-driven communications and public affairs strategies. His client work includes supporting the next generation of public health leaders and, most recently, running a statewide campaign to help connect and protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Before joining Subject Matter, Andy served as the director of public relations at Streetsense Consulting. Prior to that, he was an account manager at Sage Communications, where he worked with clients in the nonprofit, technology and healthcare sectors. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior policy, advocacy and communications strategist supporting major public health and education-focused clients.
Nick’s wealth of writing experience and passion for creative problem solving make him a perfect fit for the Subject Matter team. From manifestos to TikToks – and virtually everything in between – he has helped develop voices and shape messaging for clients such as Live Wildly, ASHA and more. Before joining Subject Matter, Nick was a copywriter at McGarrah Jessee in Austin, Texas, where he worked with brands like Whataburger, Costa Sunglasses and YETI. Prior to that, he worked in journalism at Austin’s NPR affiliate, KUT Austin. There he helped write, produce, record, edit and mix stories for both web and radio.
Kendall brings six years of marketing agency experience to the team at Subject Matter. In her role, she oversees ongoing projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget. Before joining the team, Kendall worked as a senior account executive at LM Marketing Group, where she produced lead-generating integrated marketing campaigns for clients nationwide. Prior to that, she worked as an account executive at Wallace & Company for three years.
Elizabeth’s experience working in the healthcare and legal sectors makes her an asset to Subject Matter. She excels at bringing complex projects to the finish line — on budget and on time. Before joining the team, Elizabeth worked at Jackson & Campbell, P.C., where she provided marketing and communications expertise and support for two years. Prior to that, she worked as a consultant at Duty First Consulting, supporting the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Veterans Health Administration. In the past, Elizabeth has also worked at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Metropolitan D.C. Chapter, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Catholic Charities of Central Texas/Jesuit Volunteer Corps.
Gretchen started at Subject Matter as a media relations intern and has since joined the account leadership team full-time. In her role, she develops strategy and coordinates goals for clients in the tech, healthcare and energy sectors. Prior to this, she worked as a research assistant at the Children’s Digital Media Center at Georgetown University, where she collaborated with lead faculty and students to analyze successful early childhood learning outcomes from interactions with intelligent technologies.
Rachael applies communications strategies and adaptive thinking to shepherd clients’ campaigns from concept to launch. Before joining Subject Matter, Rachael developed messaging, leveraged media and informed strategies as a policy communications associate at the Consumer Technology Association. Prior to that, she was a digital strategist at Mothership Strategies, where she designed and implemented high-impact campaigns for progressive advocacy organizations, political candidates and members of Congress.
Katiana leads media outreach efforts on behalf of Subject Matter clients, which have helped many earn critical media hits on top-tier stations. Prior to joining the team, Katiana served as a CBS News White House producer, traveling around the U.S. and to several countries covering President Trump. She previously worked with CBS affiliate services, CBS This Morning, and the CBS political unit, covering the 2016 election.
Rebecca develops unique technology solutions to meet our clients’ needs, and loves bringing creative designs to life. She specializes in WordPress development, building intuitive sites that our clients can then manage and maintain themselves. Rebecca switched careers to become a developer after spending several years working for nonprofits in tech-adjacent fields. Before joining Subject Matter, Rebecca worked for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. Prior to that, she worked for Elucid Solutions, a small agency based in Bethesda, MD.
Bill has more than 25 years of media, legislative and political experience in Washington, D.C. For more than eight years, he covered news on the Hill, reporting on everything from energy and environmental policy to budget and tax issues. After learning the ins and outs of Congress, Bill entered politics as the communications director for Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, a member of the Finance, Environment and Public Works and Homeland Security and Government Affairs committees. Over time, he rose in the ranks to become the senator’s legislative director and, later, his chief of staff. While chief, Bill helped to pass one of the few legislative fixes to the Affordable Care Act and also spearheaded, in coordination with the White House and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the passage of the Trade Promotion Act in 2015. In 2009, Bill started the Moderate Democratic Working Group in the Senate, which coordinated policy and legislative strategy among the various Democratic offices, while acting as a bridge to senior congressional leadership and outside political groups. He also served as the Democratic head of the Bipartisan Legislative Directors network. On the political side, Bill oversaw the senator’s 2018 reelection and managed his PAC fundraising and spending.
Laura Adams loves bringing photography and video production together to create engaging and educational projects. She enjoys working with different teams across Subject Matter to ensure our videos are thought-provoking and eye-catching. Prior to joining the team, Laura worked as a freelance producer in the D.C. area, developing creative content for clients including NPR, Discovery Education and AARP. Before that, she spent 14 years at Discovery Communications, where she edited and managed multimedia productions for Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet and Velocity.
Patrick joined Subject Matter in 2019 after graduating from Boston College with a degree in international studies and political science. In his current role, he manages the firm’s compliance with federal rules and obligations pertaining to lobbying and advocacy, while also supporting the government relations team with research, writing and analysis. Prior to Subject Matter, he interned for Picard Kentz & Rowe LLP and Save the Children Action Network, where he performed specialized research on legal issues, federal legislation and political advocacy.
Jenna is an award-winning designer with a strong aptitude for concepting and a robust background in editorial layout and print. Prior to joining Subject Matter, she worked in print journalism with publications across the country, from Gannett Phoenix Design Studio to The Washington Post. Jenna is a member of the Society for News Design and AIGA, as well as a volunteer at Bright Beginnings D.C., a nonprofit that cares for and entertains kids ranging from birth to four years old who are experiencing homelessness.
Julie brings her passion for authentic storytelling and more than a decade of design experience to Subject Matter. In her role, she breaks down complex ideas into ads, videos and infographics. Prior to joining the team, Julie spent six years at Anthology Marketing Group in Hawaii, most recently as a senior art director. In that role, she worked on integrated campaigns for clients like Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Pacific Health and Hawaii Gas. Before that, she was a senior graphic designer at OST, Inc. in Washington, D.C., where she worked for six years. Julie is also the founder of Aloha Lovely, a project she started in 2016 as a creative outlet that has since become a place to inspire other women to discover and pursue their own passions and live their lives to the fullest.
As an associate producer at Subject Matter, Madeline coordinates all aspects of the production process, creating high-quality video content for social media campaigns, PSAs and long-form storytelling. Prior to joining the production team, she worked on the client leadership team providing Subject Matter clients with expertise and guidance on a wide range of public health projects. In 2019, Madeline interned for the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. There she did in-depth research on key policy issues, drafted social media and official correspondence, and aided in official subcommittee hearing proceedings.
Kyle brings a passion for connecting with consumers and over 15 years of advertising experience to the team at Subject Matter. Previously, Kyle was the director of brand and media strategy for Verizon Connect in Atlanta, leading brand positioning, marketing and media planning. Prior to that, he spent 10 years leading account teams for FCB and HackerAgency, where he worked with clients like Uber, AT&T, EmblemHealth, Cricket Wireless, Carnival Cruise Lines, Amnesty International and the University of Washington Foster School of Business. Kyle also spent time in client services with Macy's in-house agency. He’s a perpetual student of persuasion and enjoys getting his hands on research to find the right message and targeting strategies for any given campaign.
Joe is a jack-of-all-trades – and a master of all – when it comes to post-production of videos. He’s involved in video editing, creating and animating motion graphics, sound design, color correction and music scoring on projects ranging from short social media posts to 15-minute videos. Joe started his career as a video coordinator for the University of Colorado Women’s Basketball team, and then moved on to serve as director of video for the University of Maryland Women’s Basketball team. After that, he was a motion graphics designer at Team Velocity Marketing, where he created and animated visual elements for television, pre-roll and web video advertisements. Most recently, Joe worked at Reingold, Inc. as a video animator, where he focused on television, web and social media video advertisements.
Robin develops and executes digital strategies for various accounts and projects across Subject Matter’s portfolio. She was an early adopter of TikTok and excels at bringing exciting new opportunities to our clients. Before joining Subject Matter, Robin racked up an impressive range of experiences interning with a number of private sector public relations firms, including MGH Inc. and Maroon PR in Baltimore. Most recently, she interned with the City of Tuscaloosa in Alabama, where she handled social media content and media relations for the mayor’s office.
Gustavo ensures that Subject Matter's accounting functions are operating accurately and efficiently. He is involved in managing daily operations, as well as certifying the preparation and distribution of consolidated financial reporting. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Gustavo accumulated 11 years of accounting and finance experience working for nationally recognized firms in the banking, real estate and healthcare industries, including Sunrise Senior Living, Walton Development & Management, Bonaventure Realty Group, Fannie Mae and Legum & Norman.
Sarah is passionate about creating work that taps into simple, human truths in memorable and unexpected ways. Recently, her work on a public service announcement recognizing the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum helped make the tragedy more real for a younger generation. In her 10+ years of advertising and public relations experience, she has delivered integrated campaigns for a wide variety of clients ranging from large consumer brands to government organizations, including Bayer, the Illinois Lottery, the International Spy Museum, McDonald’s and the U.S. Army. Sarah’s work has been recognized by Adweek, the American Advertising Federation and the SABRE Awards.
Brynna can do it all. Whether it’s for digital, web or print material, she works on every stage of conceptualizing and designing creative products that meet clients’ needs and help them stand out. Most recently, she worked as a graphic designer for DDC Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., where she honed her talents and abilities working for and collaborating with Fortune 500 clients to develop brand identities, still graphics, animated videos, infographics and more.
With years of experience on Capitol Hill, the campaign trail and global communications firms, Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge of all matters digital to Subject Matter. Patrick began his career as digital communications director for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), directing online strategy and communications for both the senator’s Washington office as well as his re-election campaign. He transitioned to Levick Strategic Communications, a reputation management and strategic public affairs firm in Washington, D.C., where he led digital and social programs. Most recently, Patrick served as executive vice president and managing director at BCW, which focused on integrating communications campaigns, crisis response and digital strategy for multiple Fortune 500 and international clients.
Chelsea brings her can-do attitude, positive spirit and management expertise to the Subject Matter team. In her role, she supports HR administrative duties such as benefits enrollment and onboarding. In addition to this, she supports key culture initiatives and manages employee engagement and programming. Prior to joining the HR team, Chelsea ensured that our day-to-day office operations ran smoothly and efficiently.
Cedric, a Capitol Hill veteran and experienced lobbyist, has worked at Subject Matter since 2019. He advises companies in almost every industry and leads Subject Matter teams that assist clients in navigating the legislative and regulatory bodies in Washington. Cedric excels at policy formulation, strategy development, and outreach to House Democratic Leadership. Cedric came to Subject Matter from H&R Block, where he led public policy development and lobbying outreach to Democrats. Before that, he spent five years as chief of staff to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Cedric has also been director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, leadership liaison and policy advisor for the House Ways and Means Committee, and senior advisor to former Rep. Charles Rangel of New York.
Natalie’s 15-year career in the House, Senate and executive branch makes her an ideal advocate to help achieve consensus on major issues. She worked for Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado for eight years, including as his chief of staff. Before becoming his chief, she worked on Gardner's energy and telecommunications portfolios. Prior to that, Natalie worked for the House Republican Study Committee, providing policy analysis on legislative issues. She has also worked on congressional affairs at the Department of Labor, where she handled international visa issues, and for former Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona.
Daniela crafts data-informed, creative digital campaigns that drive results for clients. She enjoys developing unique ideas that span all platforms — Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. A proud Peruvian, Daniela excels at helping clients reach Spanish-speaking audiences. She began her tenure at Subject Matter on the Media Team, where she coordinated media outreach and reporting for clients and helped with our Spanish media coverage and reporting. Before that, Daniela worked at GMMB as a data analyst and media assistant, tracking media spending for the Senate.
Andrew’s breadth of writing, media and communications experience, gained in New York and Washington, D.C., makes him a key asset for our clients. He began his career at National Review, where he was a news writer and blogger and then a Capitol Hill reporter. He moved on from journalism to become communications director for former Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota, overseeing external communications including speeches, op-eds, media bookings, social media content and more. Andrew speaks fluent Spanish and plays a critical role in Subject Matter’s growing Spanish language practice.
Lauren supports partners Steve Elmendorf and Jimmy Ryan and manages operations for the government relations team. She’s the point person for all things related to compliance, finance and more. Prior to joining the Subject Matter team, she supported the chief executive officer and president of Bedrock Industries, a private equity firm, from February 2017 through October 2018. Before that, she served from 2007 to 2016 at the Embassy of Australia working for the trade policy branch, military attaché, Australian army and deputy ambassador. She previously worked in Australia for the federal government, private sector and nonprofit organizations.
Steve is widely recognized as one of Washington, D.C.'s., preeminent political strategists. With a career on Capitol Hill and in politics spanning more than 30 years, Steve's tenure in Washington has been grounded in daily interaction with the White House, administration officials, senators, members of Congress and leading interest groups on the front lines of the economic, social, domestic, national security and foreign policy debates of the last decades. Steve rose to the highest-level Democratic staffer in the House of Representatives as chief of staff to House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt. Upon leaving the Hill, he served as a senior advisor to the Gephardt, Kerry and Clinton presidential campaigns. Since 2006, Steve has represented some of the nation's most important corporations, trade associations and organizations on critical legislative and regulatory issues, helping to drive their businesses, build their brands and expand their market shares. He has been a frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, and is consistently listed among the most influential leaders in Washington by Politico, The Hill, GQ and other national publications.
Paul has more than 30 years of experience designing and executing communications strategy in both the public and private sectors. He advises clients on communications strategy and guides Subject Matter’s cross-disciplinary teams in the development and execution of marketing and brand campaigns. At Subject Matter, he directs work for a wide range of association, corporate, government and nonprofit clients, and helped lead legacy firm Home Front Communications' expansion into content and digital development and engagement. Paul learned the value of integrated strategic communications from working on political campaigns and for members of the U.S House of Representatives. He was chief of staff to Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and senior communications strategist for House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt. During the 1998 election cycle, he was political director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Jimmy has more than 15 years of experience working in the government and federal affairs arena. His first exposure to Capitol Hill, while in law school, was on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and later with then-Chairman Chuck Schumer’s House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Criminal Justice. Jimmy rose to the position of chief counsel and floor policy director for Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, then the assistant Democratic leader and whip. Working for the Democratic whip, Jimmy was responsible for developing and coordinating the Democrats’ day-to-day Senate floor operations, managing whip counts on key votes, and advising other Democratic senators on Senate floor strategy and procedure. That experience proved invaluable at Citigroup, where he was a senior vice president and co-head for federal government affairs. Jimmy continues to use his broad experience to navigate complex legislative and regulatory issues on behalf of the nation’s leading businesses, and his deep expertise in developing meaningful public policy solutions is invaluable to our clients.
Dan excels at finding the big ideas that will earn attention from policymakers and the press. He played a critical role in launching Kastle’s Back to Work Barometer, which has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. An avid modern art collector, he is chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Dan and Paul Frick founded Subject Matter legacy firm Home Front Communications, which grew into a fully integrated communications and advertising firm, more than 20 years ago. Prior to that, Dan worked in political campaigns and government, serving as press secretary to House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt and communications director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the successful 1998 election cycle. A graduate of Rollins College, he was an NCAA All-American in tennis in 1991.
With more than 20 years of experience in the communications industry, and more than a decade in C-suite level or executive management roles, Nicole is focused on honing Subject Matter's service offering to clients and fostering a workplace that is second to none. She delivers a combination of operational excellence and strategic thinking to every business challenge. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Nicole served as U.S. Chief Operating Officer for Burson-Marsteller, as well as Chief Executive Officer for grassroots advocacy firm Direct Impact. In addition to her executive management roles, throughout her career she has actively served as a senior communications advisor and project leader to some of the largest global corporate brands.
Carlos leads strategic initiatives for Subject Matter and its clients. He built the firm's first digital media strategy division and directed the content and media teams before moving into his current company-wide role. Previously he spearheaded the systematic development of niche-targeted digital communities at USA Today. His work as a journalist has appeared in The Washington Post and on KQED, and he has contributed to projects with the BBC, the Associated Press, WIRED Magazine and The Los Angeles Times. He is a recipient of the Teaching Excellence and Service Award for his curriculum development and instruction in Georgetown University’s graduate journalism program. Carlos is on the Editorial Board of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, and is fluent in Spanish.
Audrey is a senior communications strategist who has led high-profile corporate communications, public education and issues campaigns for a range of clients. She helps clients shape and refine messages and storylines, with a focus on engaging policymakers and other stakeholders, translating complex topics into narratives that resonate and drive action. Most recently, Audrey has worked with clients to identify and seize opportunities that have emerged throughout the pandemic, resulting in front-page media stories highlighting client programs, insights and leadership, and guided others to pivot to new communications and business environments. Prior to joining Subject Matter to build and lead the strategic communications team, Audrey spent three decades in the Washington, D.C. public relations and public affairs agency world, including tenures at multinational firms Burson-Marsteller and Ogilvy Public Relations as well as premier boutique agency The Harbour Group.
Steve works to identify new strategies to develop and deliver content for our clients.
Using his Census experience, Steve has led our data science team to develop several data tools for clients that help promote their missions. He has also helped craft a multi-channel web and social media effort for the Board of the National Science Foundation to promote their congressionally mandated report on the state of America's science and technology. Before joining Subject Matter in 2014, he spent more than seven years as a top official at the U.S. Census Bureau, overseeing the two largest outreach and promotion campaigns ever undertaken by the federal government for the 2000 and 2010 Census. Steve’s campaigns were recognized for groundbreaking market research to shape successful multicultural outreach efforts. His 2010 campaign alone earned more than 150 awards and honors from the advertising, public relations and media industries. He has twice received the Department of Commerce’s highest recognition for distinguished public service, the Secretary’s Gold Medal, as well as a Silver and a Bronze Medal.
Dianne leads Subject Matter’s strategic planning discipline to design, analyze and optimize communications campaigns across clients. Working in collaboration with our campaign leads, she helps uncover insights through research, facilitates team brainstorms and workshops, and guides the development of strategic plans. She also led Subject Matter’s effort with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to land Amazon’s HQ2 for Northern Virginia – the great white whale of business expansion projects. Dianne has extensive experience in full-service advertising campaigns for associations, government and corporations and previously worked at Peter Mayer Advertising and Trumpet, both in New Orleans.
Kevin leads Subject Matter with passion, dedication and hard work. His job is to inspire advertising and design experts, digital specialists, technologists, filmmakers, journalists, media relations pros and lobbyists to combine the boundless problem-solving skills of creativity with the pointed purpose of advocacy. This distinctive blend of imagination and impact is what he and his teammates call Creative Advocacy. Kevin’s work has launched consumer services worldwide, improved industry trade association favorability in Washington, and created lasting change for advocacy groups across America. His true talent lies in building cross-platform campaigns on a simple and memorable idea, and he’s happiest when he’s on the ground working with his team. Before joining Subject Matter, Kevin honed his high creative standards and leadership style at SmithGifford and other boutique agencies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
John is a veteran journalist who brings a newsroom’s approach and perspective to Subject Matter’s diverse campaigns and content. He works with clients across an expansive menu of issues and needs, whether developing impactful content, navigating news media engagements, or directing thought leadership strategies for top executives. John specializes in storytelling that is authentic, informative, persuasive and actionable. He believes the best stories feed the mind, touch the heart, and move the needle. In his 20-year career at USA TODAY, John was page one editor and cover story editor, shaping the daily coverage across USA TODAY’s print and digital platforms. He was a regular contributor on BBC Radio for much of his tenure. John also directed the op-ed section for nearly a decade while serving on the newspaper’s editorial board, thus helping to guide and inform wide-ranging debates on key national and global issues.
It’s rare that you meet someone these days who has spent their full professional career at one organization, but that’s exactly what Joy has done. Joy has been with Subject Matter for more than 15 years, starting a week after she graduated from college in 2006. Joy started as an operations coordinator handling project logistics and has moved up the ranks throughout her tenure. For several years, Joy led the broadcast media division, executing satellite and radio media tours for clients across the nonprofit, for-profit and government agency landscape. Joy is now a Senior Vice President, providing strategic oversight across several client accounts in addition to managing live and virtual event productions and contributing to the agency’s media and presentation training services.
Joy has also overseen the development of the agency’s in-house production studio. In 2020, she managed the launch of Subject Matter’s virtual event offering, setting up the agency to quickly become a resource for clients who had to take their in-person events virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the agency has managed dozens of virtual events for clients, from one-hour productions to multi-day conferences.
Tim conceptualized, and now oversees, Subject Matter’s project management team, that ensures the timely and successful delivery of client projects. Tim directs and innovates enterprise-wide systems and internal operations. His hands-on approach helps our team deliver solutions for the agency’s largest clients. Prior to Subject Matter, he was a consultant at a wireless technology company in the aviation, ground transportation and convention center sectors.
Stacey provides clients with a unique blend of public policy, public affairs and campaign experience. Her approach to solving complex problems is to turn conventional wisdom on its side in search of innovative solutions. She works with corporate and trade association clients to forge longstanding relationships and build federal advocacy efforts that yield bipartisan results. Stacey served as chief of staff to Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah, where she worked with House Leadership and senior committee staff on a variety of legislative and political issues, including energy, healthcare, trade and tax. Prior to her service in the House of Representatives, Stacey directed public affairs campaigns as a senior associate at APCO Worldwide, and has private sector experience that contributed to her perspective and approach on Capitol Hill. A longtime political advisor, Stacey served as deputy political director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
Whitaker “Whit” Askew joined Subject Matter in 2017 and brings two decades of experience in campaign politics, lobbying, and integrated advocacy at the highest levels. Askew leverages his extensive relationships and proactive strategic mindset to drive successful outcomes on a diversified range of issues in the commerce, financial services, energy, workforce, technology and hospitality sectors. He works with clients to build consensus, craft multidimensional government relations strategies, and execute integrated campaigns that matter.
Whit also advises clients to shape executive thought leadership and maximize targeted political engagement. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Whit was vice president of government relations at the American Gaming Association (AGA), where he was a senior leader and top lobbyist representing the $240 billion U.S. casino industry before Congress, federal agencies and state/local governments. Prior to AGA, he served Speaker of the House John A. Boehner of Ohio, over multiple election cycles, as executive director of The Freedom Project/Team Boehner. He led the national political operation that played a critical role in the GOP’s historic 2010 takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was PAC director of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America in 2005, following service in several capacities at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) during the 2003-04 cycle.
Caitlin oversees strategic client accounts and helps lead campaign development and execution. She brings with her more than nine years of experience developing, implementing and managing strategic communications programs for public and private sector organizations. In her role as a senior account director, Caitlin works closely across all departments to develop and implement integrated communications strategies for corporate, government and nonprofit clients in the public health, financial services and technology sectors. Before joining Subject Matter, Caitlin served as the public relations and marketing manager for the Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex in New York City, working closely with executive leadership on all aspects of the complex’s communications, marketing and media relations. Caitlin enjoys finding ways to clearly communicate technical and complex subject matter in a way that resonates with broader audiences.
As a senior video producer, Peter produces long- and short-form video narratives, working with some of the best documentary crews in Washington, D.C. and across the country. He conducts interviews, directs in-depth field shoots, and writes scripts to create compelling stories for a wide range of clients. He also oversees the creation of motion graphic and animated content by working in the studio with our talented team of designers and editors. Peter works at a variety of scales, from big-budget, multi-media projects to assignments that require creative solutions for a smaller scope. Before joining Subject Matter, Peter worked at the Discovery Channel’s Koppel Group documentary unit and at ABC News’ “Nightline.” During his time in broadcast news, he reported and produced national, international, political, investigative and culture stories. Based in Washington, D.C., New York and London, Peter won 13 News Emmys and two DuPont Columbia Awards for his work with colleagues.
Liz keeps projects up to date, on task and on budget for some of our top clients. Her calm demeanor and cool head help to guarantee that our team completes projects — no matter what obstacles we have to overcome. Before joining Subject Matter, Liz served as a senior associate to the U.S. Headquarters executive team at Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations and communications firm. Prior to that, she was operations director for Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s PAC and a congressional intern for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Patrick conceives and creates striking visual content that combines strategic thinking with engaging graphics and copy. He has over 10 years of experience collaborating with clients large and small, including the National Geographic Museum, March of Dimes, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the freight rail and airline industries, Toyota, the United States Census Bureau, the Smithsonian and the U.S. Navy SEALs. Patrick has worked across disciplines from museum and exhibit design to digital and advertising, and uses his skillset to solve client problems across any medium. His design portfolio encompasses exhibition design, advertising campaigns, website creation and visual identities.
Brian manages our in-house studio, including cameras and lighting equipment for both live and taped studio productions. During the pandemic, he quickly learned to oversee highly produced virtual events, helping our clients at a time when they couldn’t safely gather. He also works closely with producers in the creation of various long- and short-form video packages. Before joining Subject Matter, Brian was a production assistant with the Frederick County Government Interagency Information Technologies.
As director of Hispanic media, Virginia promotes and pitches Spanish-language news stories in media markets across the country. She has strong relationships with news directors, producers and reporters at TV and radio stations nationwide, and excels at helping clients reach the important and growing Spanish-language community in the United States. Before joining Subject Matter, Virginia was a Hispanic banking program manager for Capital One, where she managed the multicultural media and community relations strategies and branding for 144 branches.
As an avid reader and writer, Elizabeth loves storytelling. She puts that passion to work every day for Subject Matter’s clients, drafting op-eds, blog posts and policy documents. Elizabeth has a particular knack for explaining concepts in simple terms and loves helping clients figure out how all the pieces of a communications campaign can work together. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Elizabeth worked at the White House Writers Group, where she focused on third-party outreach and coalition building. She was also a reporter for The Orange County Register and an editorial fellow at USA TODAY. Elizabeth writes a popular book recommendation newsletter, What To Read If, and has contributed to Parade, Slate, Time and USA TODAY, among other publications.
As a senior member of the account team, Anne oversees strategic client accounts and helps lead campaign development and execution. She brings with her over 20 years of experience developing, implementing and managing strategic communications programs for public and private sector organizations. Anne excels at understanding the details of a client’s business and core issues while maintaining a focus on big-picture goals. Prior to joining the Subject Matter team, Anne served as the senior director for communications at the Association of American Colleges and Universities, overseeing all aspects of the association’s communications, marketing and publications. She has also led client accounts and managed teams at several other strategic communications firms in Washington, D.C.
Tiffany creates long- and short-form videos for websites, social media and virtual and in-person events. She works closely with clients to determine the best way to tell their story – whether it’s an animated explainer video or a documentary-style clip. She’s involved in all aspects of production including concepting, scripting, field production and post-production supervision – ensuring our videos capture a viewer’s attention. Before joining Subject Matter, Tiffany was an associate producer at Sirens Media and an associate producer at Discovery Studios.
Joon was variously employed as a mechanic, a journalist and a cook before he found a calling that led him to do what he does best: tell stories. He creates crisp, strong copy for clients including AAR, McDonald’s, Buckle Up for Life and NACHA. Before joining Subject Matter, Joon spent eight years copywriting for creative agencies such as Barber Martin in Richmond and MGH in Baltimore. Joon’s previous work helped brands like HCA, Mayo Clinic, nTelos, Southern States and the SPCA create inspiring narratives they could truly call their own.
Barry joined Subject Matter in 2009 and brings decades of experience in politics, lobbying and integrated advocacy. His work is focused across a range of issues, with particular emphasis on the technology and telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining Subject Matter, Barry served as director of federal government affairs at Microsoft Corporation. In that capacity he managed the company's strategic, legislative and political relationships with Senate Democrats. Before joining Microsoft, Barry served as Counsel to Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. He provided strategic advice, counsel and legal analysis in connection with Kerry’s legislative agenda in various policy areas including telecommunications, media and Internet policy, international trade, innovation, competitiveness and economic policy. Barry previously worked as an associate at Dewey Ballantine LLP, where he supported litigation of international trade cases and advocated on a wide array of international trade policy topics such as Trade Promotion Authority, WTO Dispute Settlement and NAFTA market access. He also served as a legislative and policy advocate with the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, working on behalf of 35 affiliated labor organizations in the transportation and building trades sectors. He received his law degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from American University, and graduated cum laude from Frostburg State University.
Samantha (Sam) develops and leads integrated communications and media campaigns to support and drive client priorities, whether on Capitol Hill or Main Street. While her work spans across industries, including public health and the life sciences, her expertise is helping clients in the emerging tech space translate complex subject matter into stories that persuade and drive real change. Her client rolodex includes the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Menlo Micro, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), ClimateCoin, an emerging cryptocurrency, and ClimateTrade, a climate marketplace run on blockchain technology. Sam’s public affairs experience runs deep, working previously at The Harbour Group and Edelman in Washington, D.C. before joining Subject Matter in 2018.
A key part of the Subject Matter team for more than five years, Erick develops creative for some of our top clients. His specialties include drawing, user interface and video, and his work regularly makes our clients smile. Prior to joining the Subject Matter team, Erick served as a graphic design intern at idfive and a marketing assistant at James Madison University, where he designed marketing materials for the university's recreation center.
With over a decade’s worth of experience leading cross-functional teams in branding and integrated marketing campaigns, Mike has an upbeat, hands-on style to the account director role at Subject Matter. Recently, he worked with the Semiconductor Industry Association on the passage of the CHIPS Act. Mike has overseen integrated advertising and communications campaigns for private and public companies, federal agencies and nonprofits.
Ethan started his career at Subject Matter as an intern and is now the director of interactive projects. In this role, Ethan oversees the creation of apps, interactive elements and more. He also helps improve Subject Matter’s internal processes, making them more efficient and streamlined. Previously, Ethan worked as a multimedia editor at U.S. News & World Report, where he handled day-to-day data visualization for the news section and led design efforts on various 2016 Election Day interactive projects
During nearly eight years with former Democratic Leader Rep. Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, Shanti Stanton was his floor assistant, working directly with members to create and implement the Democratic agenda in Congress, and serving as Gephardt's liaison to the Blue Dog and New Democrat coalitions. After that, Shanti served as the director of federal government relations for UST Public Affairs, Inc. She has been with Subject Matter since 2008. Her clients include MolsonCoors, Churchill Downs and the American Gaming Association.
Acedro is skilled in a variety of design disciplines ranging from conceptual to branding, interactive and art direction. He has a talent for transforming great ideas into engaging creative that captures imaginations. His designs help influence change in consumer behavior through ideas, creativity and the use of various media. He provides exceptional creative thought and craftsmanship and delivers projects from brief to consumer in partnership with clients, technologies and the rest of the Subject Matter team.
Sandra is a vital resource for clients that want to break into the broadcast news cycle. She has a keen eye for what makes a pitch work and forges lasting relationships with national and local producers across the country. Sandra has a proven track record of landing on top-tier national morning shows and cable outlets, and she developed our virtual media tour capability, which allows clients to reach TV news stations from anywhere in the world. Sandra manages and leads client accounts such as the Ad Council, Google and the American Lung Association.
At Subject Matter, Dan has worked on a wide range of creative executions, including 360 campaigns, branding, PSAs, event activations and experiential stunts, for clients such as Buckle Up for Life, McDonald’s and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. He has a real talent for marrying the perfect strategic insight with thoughtful and unexpected executions. Before joining Subject Matter, Dan spent three years as an art director at Fathom Communications in New York City. There he focused on consumer advertising in print, digital, social and broadcast as well as branding for clients such as Amaro Montenegro, Optimum, Propel, the Tony Awards and YoCrunch.