Leadership - Powell Tate

Our leaders

We are issue experts who have worked at the highest levels of government and politics, including the White House and Capitol Hill, media, regulatory agencies, advocacy groups and more — paired with award-winning integrated media strategists, technologists and creative minds to craft bold, integrated campaigns that deliver impact.

PAUL MASSEY

President, Powell Tate
Global Lead of Social Impact & Sustainability, Weber Shandwick

Paul is the president of Powell Tate and global lead of Weber Shandwick’s Social Impact practice. He counsels clients on communications strategies and creative campaigns focused on complex business, policy and social issues.

PAM JENKINS

Chair, Powell Tate
Chief Public Affairs Officer, Chief Public Health Officer, Weber Shandwick

As the Chairman of Powell Tate, and Chief Public Affairs Officer of Weber Shandwick, Pam specializes in multi-channel advocacy and issues campaigns.

LANCE MORGAN

Chief Communications Strategist

As the chief communications strategist, Lance counsels clients facing national and international media attention. He specializes in developing and executing communications for public policy debates, crisis communications and media training.

ASHLEY ETIENNE

Senior Advisor

As one of the nation’s top communications strategists, Ashley has advised Presidents Obama and Biden, Vice President Harris, and Speaker Pelosi. She focuses on providing senior counsel for clients on a range of corporate reputation, public affairs and social impact issues.

Luciana Barbetta

Managing Director, Brazil

Drawing on integrated communications experience in both the private and public sector, Luciana specializes in projects that involve deep understanding and analysis of the political scenario in Brazil. Previous clients include Petrobras, ApexBrasil, Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development, Presidency of the Republic of Brazil, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PETER CARSON

EVP, North America Corporate Affairs Lead

With a decade of experience on Capitol Hill, and over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, Peter counsels clients on corporate reputation and recovery, crisis communications, stakeholder mapping and third party advocacy, federal and state coalition building, and CEO visibility.

MIKE CONNERY

EVP, AI Strategy, Futures

Mike specializes in integrated communications planning at the intersection of strategy, data analytics and content. Previous clients include The National Women’s Law Center, The National Education Association and PhRMA.

MEGHANN CURTIS

EVP, North America Co-lead, Public Affairs

Meghann is a former U.S. diplomat with 20 years of experience leading government, business and non-profit organizations. She previously served as COO for the Leadership Now Project, a network of thought leaders working to strengthen American democracy.

Lauren DiPaola

EVP, Healthcare Communications Planning

Lauren develops data-driven campaigns that leverage emerging technology to tackle some of the largest healthcare issues facing our country.

CHRIS FERGUSON

Chief Creative Officer

Chris is a writer and creative director with over 20 years of traditional and interactive marketing experience both on the agency and client side. Chris previously served as the Senior Global Creative Director at Under Armour, focused on concepts and strategy across all categories and continents.

JOHN FILES

EVP, North America Co-lead, Public Affairs

John’s extensive experience as a writer and editor of national and political news allows him to position issues and organizations in the media, impact policy debates and elevate corporate reputations.

KRISTINE FITTON

EVP, Strategy & Planning

Kristine leads the agency’s strategic planning efforts, leveraging experience in primary and secondary research, business analysis and consumer behavior to design creative, efficient and effective integrated communications campaigns.

EBEN GILFENBAUM

EVP, Digital

Eben leads fully integrated issue advocacy campaigns across earned, owned, and paid channels with a focus on digital engagement.

MAUREEN GOLGA

EVP, Corporate Reputation & Issues

Maureen leads integrated marketing and communications campaigns for corporate, nonprofit and issue advocacy clients. She specializes in “localizing” global and national campaigns to drive reputation goals and in building coalitions to win issue battles.

WILSON LAW

EVP, Finance

As a senior advisor on financial strategy, Wilson develops pricing structures for core communication and specialty client services, as well as providing financial project management.

COLLEEN LEARCH

President, KRC Research

With over 20 years of experience in the survey research industry, Colleen specializes in health-related research, having led and conducted numerous branding, messaging, web design, and communications studies for a variety of health-based organizations.

FRED LINDEBERG

EVP, Public Affairs

Fred is a public affairs strategist who helps corporations, government agencies and nonprofits with communications planning and initiatives, reputational challenges, and legislative and regulatory advocacy.

JOSH MCGUIRE

Executive Creative Director

Josh is a designer, writer and artist who relies on human insights to create campaigns for iconic brands. His work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, The Webby Awards, The Effie Awards, The Clio Awards, and more.

JIM MESZAROS

EVP, International Public Affairs

Jim leads the international public affairs practice, advising multinational corporations, sovereign governments and multilateral institutions on trade, investment, climate, food security, international relations and development.

SAAKSHI MONGA

EVP, Paid Planning & Buying

Saakshi leads paid media teams and brings creative and customized solutions to clients’ marketing and communication challenges.

KATE OLSEN

EVP, North America Lead, Social Impact & Sustainability

Kate specializes in developing strategies and integrated engagement campaigns that help purpose-driven clients build brands, shape meaningful conversations, attain organizational goals, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, and advance sustainable development.

TIM RYAN

EVP, Integrated Media Strategy

Tim leads integrated communications and marketing campaigns on a broad range of corporate reputation, industry positioning and public policy assignments.

KATYA SOTIRIS

North America Head of Data Science

Katya leads advanced analytics initiatives at Powell Tate and ensures that the agency integrates rigorous statistical and machine learning methodologies in campaign planning, measurement and optimization.

JAMES WALKER

EVP, Integrated Media Strategy,
General Manager, Weber Shandwick Baltimore

James’ client portfolio crosses public affairs, corporate, and consumer brand campaigns. He has deep experience in developing and executing integrated strategies covering paid, earned, shared and owned media strategies with clients in the US, Europe and Asia.

REBECCA BADINER

SVP, Strategic Planning

Rebecca is a strategic insights leader with over 15 years of experience in corporate, agency and consultancy roles across categories. She is dedicated to helping clients and creative teams understand “the why” in meaningful and inspiring ways.

STEVE BASSERMANN

SVP, Public Affairs

Steve has 15 years of experience managing public affairs, federal marketing, and strategic communications accounts across sectors. He runs programs for brands and organizations that influence stakeholder opinions on key issues and bolster reputations.

ERIN BLAZAR

SVP, Digital

Erin leads the agency’s largest integrated media accounts by coordinating strategy, creative, production, paid media, earned media and analytics to deliver successful campaigns.

CAITLIN CARROLL

SVP, Public Affairs

With a decade of experience on the Hill working on issues such as prescription drug pricing, student loan forgiveness and childcare reform, Caitlin brings deep experience in fusing data and human insights to shape winning advocacy strategies.

JAIME DAWSON

SVP, Public Health

With nearly two decades in public health and healthcare communications at federal agencies, non-profit organizations and the private sector, Jaime has led teams to develop award-winning behavior change campaigns and products.

ELLEN DEMUNTER

SVP, Business Development

Ellen leads Powell Tate’s business development team and external relations efforts. She spearheads the agency’s responses to calls for proposals and new business leads.

MUDI DIEJOMAOH

SVP, Strategic Planning

Mudi has deep experience developing and activating growth-oriented brand and business strategies across industries, helping clients effectively communicate with audiences and stakeholders.

Sarah Egan

SVP, Healthcare

Sarah brings more than 15 years of agency experience to leading large integrated media and marketing campaigns, with a focus on government healthcare clients.

Misty Fuller

SVP, Health Policy & Advocacy

Misty brings political savvy, digital acumen and extensive healthcare public affairs experience to her clients as she helps them shape health policy outcomes and enhance their reputation among policymakers at all levels of government.

SHARA GLICKMAN

SVP, Integrated Project Management

Shara has over 15 years of experience working with government, corporate, education and technology clients to coordinate multi-disciplinary, cross-agency teams and manage budgets, timelines, and deliverables.

JENNIFER HARFELD

Group Creative Director

Jennifer brings over 20 years of expertise to creating integrated traditional, social, digital campaigns, and activations. Her work has been recognized at Cannes, The One Show, and the American Advertising Awards.

JENNIFER HENDRICKSON

SVP, Social Impact & Sustainability

For 15 years, Jennie has specialized in building purpose-driven brands, with a focus on education and youth engagement. She works with clients to develop and promote social impact programs, while amplifying commitments to sustainability and DE&I.

ZOË HOLLISTER WILLIAMS

SVP, Integrated Project Management

Zoë is a communications specialist with over 10 years of public relations and project management experience focused on digital and social media for associations, government, non–profits, foundations and corporate clients.

Katie Kunec Gjerulff

SVP, Healthcare

For more than two decades, Katie has partnered with government, private sector and nonprofit clients in the health sector to develop and manage strategic campaigns, programs and activations.

AMY LEONARDI

Group Creative Director

Amy’s work builds brands that educate, enlighten and inspire action. She provides clients with strategic solutions to successfully meet their objectives in both digital and traditional media landscapes.

MICHAEL LOCK

SVP, Social Impact

With over 13 years of experience, Michael is an award-winning communications strategist who leads integrated campaigns focused on sustainability, ESG, public affairs, and corporate reputation issues.

CASEY MOONEY

SVP, Integrated Production

Casey has over 25 years of experience producing content for integrated campaigns as both a leader of production teams and a hands-on content producer. Her productions have built awareness for major brands including Adidas, Pepsi, Nissan, and more.

KAREN OLIVER

SVP, Healthcare

Karen is an experienced leader in public health and issues advocacy, corporate communications and marketing campaigns. She is known for success in leading teams to enhance organizations’ reputations, engage consumers and influence public policy.

Nicole Pitaniello

SVP, Strategic Planning, Healthcare

With more than 20 years of experience, Nicole leads the agency’s healthcare brand strategy team, creating and analyzing data and market trends, shaping market research, and developing impactful strategies to solve brand challenges.

DANE RAHLF

Group Creative Director

Dane is an award-winning copywriter who creates campaigns for digital, social and emerging mediums. Previous clients include Under Armour, P&G, The Unicef Tap Project, Deer Valley Resort, and Utah Office of Tourism.

CHARLOTTE REILLY

SVP, Digital

Charlotte leads integrated marketing and communications initiatives that drive issue advocacy in the digital landscape. She specializes in the development of targeted content strategies that engage diverse audiences.

CAROLYN SOFMAN

SVP, Public Affairs

Carolyn develops and manages public affairs, integrated communications and public education campaigns. She specializes in issues management, message development, and media relations to ensure her clients’ voices are heard by policymakers, key influencers and U.S. consumers.

LAURA WILSON

SVP, Platform Strategy

With 14 years of experience in digital communications, Laura focuses on social media strategy. Her track record of successful social media programs includes major brands like U.S. Army, USPS, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, BCG and TIAA.

JOSHUA WU

SVP, Analytics and Intelligence

A seasoned strategic counselor and analytics expert, Josh leads our analytics team across offices in Baltimore, Dallas, and Atlanta. His work spans industries and includes government agencies, non-profits, and advocacy groups.

TERESSA WYKPISZ-LEE

SVP, Public Affairs

Teressa is an experienced communications leader with a background in strategy, storytelling, crisis management and public affairs. She previously held positions in General Services Administration, Accenture, Exelon, and U.S. Department of Energy.