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, South Region & Advisory, Americas
Global Lead of Social Impact & Sustainability

Paul is the president of Weber Shandwick’s South Region, including DC—and the specialty Powell Tate team, Atlanta and Baltimore, and leads Weber Advisory in the Americas. He counsels clients on communications strategies and creative campaigns focused on complex business, policy and social issues.

PETER CARSON

EVP, Advisory & Head of Global Senior Advisors Council

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.

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 counsels leading corporations and NGOs on communications and advocacy strategies at the intersection of policy, politics, and culture. She co-chairs Weber Shandwick’s Politics and Policy Task Force.

JAIME DAWSON

EVP, 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.

Lauren DiPaola

EVP, Corporate Affairs

Lauren helps clients cut through complexity. She shapes narratives, simplifies the toughest business issues, and builds campaigns that protect reputations and move stakeholders to act, working across sectors to tackle the highest-stakes challenges facing organizations today.

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, Corporate Affairs

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

MAUREEN GOLGA

EVP, Corporate Affairs

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.

JENNIFER HENDRICKSON

EVP, 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

EVP, 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.

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.

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.

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.

LAURA WILSON

EVP, Social & Influencer 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

EVP, Corporate and Public Affairs Lead, Analytics + 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.