BRYSON GILLETTE

Our Leadership

Bryson Gillette is a Los Angeles based, minority-owned public affairs firm.
We are dedicated to delivering excellence to our clients and fighting for a more equitable and just world.

Sarah Angel

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Aref Aziz

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Paul Bean

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Bill Burton

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Cecilia Cabello

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Danielle Carrasquero

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Mariela Casellas

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Kate Chapek

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Isaiah Dawson

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Shira Fine

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Kelvin Green II

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Raúl Hernández

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Ralph Jean

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Haley Kubik

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Jacqueline Lee Rivera

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Kevin Liao

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Gavin Lodge

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Jason Mandell

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Lucy Martikyan

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Sean Nesmith

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Rebecca Pearcey

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Sloane Perry

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Kasey Poulin

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Katherine Provins

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Marcos Rodriguez

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Emily Schwartz

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Tess Seger

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Risa Sunakawa

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Jess Taylor

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Mike Trujillo

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Anna Wood

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LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

We are here to deliver results. Call us or fill out the form below to get started today.

SARAH ANGEL

Senior Vice President

sarah@brysongillette.com

Sarah Angel is a former prosecutor and long-time advocate for educational equity and reform. Most recently, Sarah served as the Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Unified School Board Vice President Nick Melvoin, where she managed a team of policy, community engagement, and communications professionals serving the over 700,000 public school students and their families in Los Angeles.

After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law, Sarah practiced as an attorney at the Los Angeles office of O’Melveny & Myers, LLP. Her pro bono work there led to her next role as a prosecutor. After seeing too many defendants end up in court as a result of an inadequate education system, Sarah left her law practice to become a non-profit education advocate for low-income students of color in Los Angeles at the California Charter Schools Association; there, she led a team developing and executing strategic consulting for charter schools and collective action campaigns related to new schools, renewals, and facilities issues. Sarah also grew a community organizing team that coached charter schools on how to connect with their parents to improve their school communities. She began her career as a staff consultant for the California State Assembly Budget Committee, focused on health and human services. Sarah is a proud alumna of California public schools, including UCLA for her undergraduate degree and UC Berkeley School of Law.

Sarah believes in progressive values, understands how to guide transition through large, bureaucratic organizations and in the impact of change at the local level. Sarah lives with her husband, Dan Nieman, and their three school-aged children in Los Angeles. She is a proficient Spanish speaker, learned from her mom, public school, and a semester teaching algebra in Monterrey, Mexico. You can find her at cross-fit-style workouts, family trips to the beach, and singing off-key to the musical “Hamilton.”

AREF AZIZ

Director

aref@brysongillette.com

Aref Aziz joins Bryson Gillette after years of serving as a campaign consultant on some of California's most contentious statewide races. Aref has previously worked with the political teams of Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Treasurer Emeritus John Chiang, and a handful of state and local ballot propositions. Throughout his career, Aref helped raise over $9 billion in generated and expected revenue for transportation infrastructure investments throughout California.

PAUL BEAN

Designer

paul@brysongillette.com

A British designer who’s hopped the pond and is obsessed by clever, considered, beautiful typography, created digitally or by hand. A designer that will gently push each project as far as it can go, to live up to its potential. A designer who will strip away the nonessentials to make the communication as powerful as possible. But most importantly, a designer who loves, lives and breathes design.

Prior to working with Bryson Gillette, Paul was trained in branding and print design at Kingston University, London. Winning a D&AD New Blood Award led him to working at the prestigious product design agency SeymourPowell, being trained under Richard Seymour as a graphic designer alongside a breadth of talent.

Moving on to run Delivery of Thought, a small design studio for several years, working with a wide variety of clients from The Prince's Trust, Unilever, Freedom From Torture, Puma and Adidas (not at the same time!)

Paul has the skills to implement into a wide variety of projects across both print and digital. This allowed Paul the freedom to work Freelance and make the move to NYC, where he met his wife, Becky Bean. After a stint in NYC and Seattle, Paul and Becky are now settled in Becky's home-town, the wonderful Santa Barbara.

BILL BURTON

Founder and President

bill@brysongillette.com

Bill Burton is a renowned political and communications strategist who has served as a senior adviser to political leaders, corporations and nonprofits in California, Washington, D.C., and around the country. In California, Bill and his colleagues have experience consulting on political, litigation and public affairs projects of all different scales, working with everyone from individuals to some of the most recognizable brands in the world.

Bill was one of the earliest hires on President Obama’s first presidential campaign where he was the national press secretary beginning in January 2007. He served in the Obama administration as deputy White House press secretary and special assistant to the president. In that capacity, he traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, advising the president, briefing reporters both on Air Force One and at the podium in the White House briefing room. After leaving the White House, Bill co-founded and served as senior strategist for the super PAC Priorities USA Action during President Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012.

During the 2006 electoral cycle, in which Democrats won control of the House of Representatives, Bill worked as Rahm Emanuel’s communications director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Before that, Bill served as a communications adviser to Democratic Leader Rep. Dick Gephardt, Senators John Kerry and Tom Harkin and others.

Most recently Bill has served as an advisor to Senator Amy Klobuchar's presidential campaign and has worked with leading trial attorneys to build successful messaging campaigns around important cases and issue areas.

Bill believes that a good strategy is one that has heart. He works with clients to ensure that their personal story and values are embedded into their communications and messaging.

Since 2015, Bill has made Santa Barbara his home with his wife Kelly Ward Burton and three kids, Oscar, Emma, and Miles. Bill loves playing guitar and teaching his son to play basketball.

CECILIA CABELLO

Vice President

cecilia @brysongillette.com

Bio forthcoming...

DANIELLE CARRASQUERO

Communications Manager

danielle@brysongillette.com

Danielle Carrasquero joins Bryson Gillette from the Washington State Senate where she served as Senator T’wina Nobles’ legislative assistant. Danielle managed all aspects of the Senator’s office including developing the communications strategy, advancing the Senator’s legislation, and leading constituent services. Danielle also managed Senator Nobles’ campaign, helping to flip a seat and elect Washington’s only Black Senator in almost a decade — the second Black woman elected in the Senate's history.

Danielle started her political career as an organizer with Senator Elizabeth Warren’s campaign for President in New Hampshire and Maine, where she learned about the power of communication to change hearts and minds and ultimately advance progressive causes. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Danielle enjoys hiking, camping, and international travel.

MARIELA CASELLAS

Manager

mariela@brysongillette.com

Raised in Puerto Rico, Mariela comes to Bryson Gillette after completing a masters in media advocacy from Northeastern University and serving as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. There, she worked directly with low-income and diverse communities in Boston, helping them with issues such as housing, unemployment, food insecurity and maternal health. Her career began when she organized for Jay González’s gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts and Senator Elizabeth Warren’s reelection campaign, both in 2018, after completing her undergraduate degree in political science from Boston College.

Mariela is a fierce advocate for reproductive rights and immigration reform. More importantly, she cares about economic and social justice in Puerto Rico, where she lives. She is excited to join a group of expert communicators and advocates for the most pressing issues of our time. In her free time, you can find Mariela hiking, at the beach or playing with her niece and nephew.

KATE CHAPEK

Senior Content Director

kate@brysongillette.com

Kate has dedicated her professional career to developing people and equity programs to lift women and people of color into organizational and government leadership.
With over two decades of experience running campaigns, managing teams and developing, building and managing program infrastructure to scale in 25+ states, Kate has a laser focus on recruiting and investing in diverse teams, developing strategic programs for diverse organizations, and building a pipeline of staff and elected leaders at all levels of government, having recruited, trained, coached, managed, and elected hundreds of women and people of color up and down the ticket.

Kate’s passion and experience managing large national teams and programs around civic engagement and leadership development has led to her holding leadership positions throughout major organizations and candidate campaigns such as EMILY’s List, SEIU, America Votes, Communication Workers of America and serving as National Women’s Vote Director for President Obama’s 2012 campaign.
As a creative and analytical thinker, Kate has translated her decades of campaign experience and expanded her personal scale to grow impact across many issues most affecting local communities ignored and underfunded by people in power - from restorative justice, educational equity and affordable healthcare access to addressing affordable housing and the needs of those impacted by homelessness.

Kate earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism from the Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California and her Master’s Degree in Journalism from Georgetown University.

A native of Southern California currently based in Los Angeles, Kate is equally dedicated to raising her tween daughter Sinatra and two darling dogs Lula and Beau "Joe" Biden and rooting for her beloved Dodgers. Raising Sinatra pushes Kate to further her drive and determination for bringing more leaders and teams into the movement for justice and equity.

ISAIAH DAWSON

Intern

isaiah@brysongillette.com

Isaiah Dawson is a junior at Howard University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Relations. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Isaiah interned at NARAL Pro-Choice America, the LGBTQ Victory Institute, and the Pivot Group. Isaiah also volunteered as an AmeriCorps member for two years, working to close the opportunity gap in New York City public schools.

As a Florida native, Isaiah loves to spend their free time on roller coasters or at the beach. Their passions include urban photography, art curation, and LGBTQ ballroom culture.

SHIRA FINE

Vice President and Head of Strategic Communications

shira@brysongillette.com

Shira has designed and managed strategic communications campaigns for top corporations, technology companies, philanthropic institutions, non-profits, production companies and high-profile individuals for more than a decade. From the Los Angeles Unified’s School Board to the Capitol in Sacramento and from technology companies defining their brand to the Champagne Region of France protecting its name, Shira helps clients in a wide variety of industries figure out how to use communications to solve their toughest problems.

Shira previously worked at SKDKnickerbocker, where she helped open their West Coast office, and at Global Strategy Group and CLS Strategies in Washington D.C. She also helped re-elect President Obama during the 2012 campaign cycle, working as a political media buyer.

Shira graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in public relations. On the weekends, she can be found hiking in Griffith Park, wandering on the beach or discovering new playgrounds. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.

KELVIN GREEN II

Intern

kelvin@brysongillette.com

Kelvin Green II is a graduating senior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) studying Physics with a double minor in Writing and Literature. Before coming to Bryson Gillette, he served as a regional organizer on Team Massachusetts at Warren for President (2020) and as the Deputy Campaign Manager and Field Director for a local Boston City Council candidate (2021). Kelvin’s passion for change through politics has been long-standing. From attending President Obama’s inauguration in 2012 to volunteering with the New Hampshire Democratic Party in 2014 and 2016, he has consistently taken opportunities to be civically engaged through direct action.

In his spare time, Kelvin is the President and CEO of Ren Consulting Group, a firm founded in 2020 with a commitment to producing strategic solutions for clients (with a focus on growing women and minority-owned businesses). He also enjoys reading and writing fiction and is currently working on a novel inspired by the Indigenous people to the land called Virginia. On campus, he has served and consulted on a plethora of Institute-wide committees, working groups, and student groups focused on researching and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in curriculum, student life, policing, and administrative operations.

Kelvin is an alum of School Year Abroad China (2016), where he gained fluency in Mandarin, and Phillips Exeter Academy (2017). He is also a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

RAÚL HERNÁNDEZ

Human Resources Business Partner

raul@brysongillette.com

Raúl is a former educator with almost 20 years of experience in ed reform and talent development.

Prior to arriving at Bryson Gillette, Raúl led Alumni and Corps Member work for Teach For America Los Angeles for over 10 years. While at Teach For America, he supported a network of over 3,600 leaders across a variety of industries in Southern California through program partnerships, facilitating leadership development, talent matching, and ongoing engagement.

After graduating from the University Notre Dame, Raúl joined Teach For America, a national nonprofit striving to provide an equitable education to all children, where he spent eight years as a classroom teacher in Baltimore and Boston. He has expertise in designing & delivering learning experiences in a way that resonates with audiences. With a knack for making strategic connections between people, programs, and resources, Raúl builds capacity in teams and institutions in order to maximize impact.

Raúl is passionate about creating the conditions for colleagues to do their best work, and considers it a privilege to support the work of his teammates at Bryson Gillette. Raul lives with his wife, Rohini, and their two little girls. You can find him spending time with his family, going on walks with their dogs, or on the course trying to become a scratch golfer.

RALPH JEAN

Manager

ralph@brysongillette.com

Ralph Jean is a strategic communications professional with experience managing projects for a diverse range of causes, from business rebrands to grassroots organizing. A journalist by trade and a storyteller at heart, Ralph has directed his passion to produce original content in support of project launches like Destination Crenshaw Museum, HealthyLA Coalition, and A3C Festival & Conference in Atlanta, GA.

Prior to Bryson Gillette, Ralph served as Director of Communications for Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE). Ralph values flexible thinking and rigid procedure. He's used these values to create metrics driven campaign strategies to increase website traffic, expand email audience, and grow organic social media engagements while connecting companies and organizations to new communities.

Ralph started his strategic communications career as a congressional intern for Congressman David Scott in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Morehouse College, studying psychology and journalism and later obtained a Master of Science degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. When he's not catching up on the hot memes of the month Ralph enjoys amateur astronomy and likes to unplug by visiting national dark sky parks or biking around his home in Georgia.

HALEY KUBIK

Intern

haley@brysongillette.com

Originally from Seattle, Haley Kubik is a senior at the University of San Diego studying Political Science, Communications, and Sociology. Before beginning her internship at Bryson Gillette, Haley volunteered with various campaigns including the Mission for Arizona 2020 Democratic Coordinated Campaign which helped successfully elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

On campus, Haley has worked in the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion and is a member of USD Votes, a student organization centered around increasing local voter participation. She is passionate about mental health, reproductive rights, social justice, and voting reform. In her free time you can find Haley at the farmers market, a yoga class, or on the beach.

JACQUELINE LEE RIVERA

Director

jacqueline@brysongillette.com

Jacqueline Lee Rivera has developed and managed award-winning campaigns for feature films, global nonprofit organizations, and Fortune 100 companies to tackle social and environmental issues throughout the last 10 years.

Jacqueline most recently served as Impact Producer for the film production company, Participant. Her work focused on increasing visibility, new partnerships, and policy change to further the filmmakers’ goals. At Participant she developed and managed impact campaigns for films including the Academy Award-winning film, American Factory, the NAACP Image Awards Best Documentary Winner, John Lewis: Good Trouble, and with the acclaimed filmmaker, Steve James, for his docuseries, America To Me. Prior to running campaigns for feature films, she presented and trained organizations internationally on fundraising and campaign management. Some of her past work included leading international humanitarian and disaster relief communications during the Syrian Refugee Crisis and in response to the Nepal Earthquake of 2015, developing cause marketing campaigns for tech and fashion brands partnered with GlobalGiving like Microsoft Youth Spark and Gucci’s Chime For Change, and building strategic partnership and communication strategies for international institutions such as UNESCO.

Jacqueline holds a Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Oklahoma, and she was a Dow Jones Journalism Fellow for the Oklahoma Institute For Diversity in Journalism. Jacqueline is passionate about the power of storytelling to open hearts and minds and can be found watching the latest films, sampling new restaurants, and attending concerts across Los Angeles.

KEVIN LIAO

Director

kevin@brysongillette.com

Kevin Liao joins Bryson Gillette from the U.S. Department of Energy, where he served as press secretary for Secretary Jennifer Granholm and coordinated public rollouts for department and Biden Administration initiatives. He was previously Nevada communications director for the Biden general election campaign and worked on Elizabeth Warren's primary campaign in Iowa and California. Kevin started his career at the California State Capitol, including serving as press secretary for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. He's a native of San Jose, California.

GAVIN LODGE

Consultant

gavin@brysongillette.com

Gavin Lodge is an account strategist and social media specialist for Bryson Gillette. After two decades on Broadway, Gavin brings creativity, insight and smidgeon of pizazz to social media management. In 2015, Gavin successfully launched his own brand of baby gear for stylish dads where he cut his teeth in utilizing new media to reach target audiences. Gavin’s understanding of the creative process, ability to adjust to varying client needs, and understanding of what it takes to cut through the noise makes him an asset for Bryson Gillette and its clients.

Having worked as a field organizer in Iowa many moons ago, then as a manager for then-candidate U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (WA), Gavin left politics to pursue show business in New York City. Over the course of a career including five Broadway shows, several original cast albums, a dozen TV appearances, and a turn on the Late Show with David Letterman (where he was greased up as a singing “Rambo” for a parody sketch), he’s followed other passions including founding the “baby gear for stylish dads” fashion start-up, E.C.Knox. His greatest pride are his two children, for which he waded into the political madness of Manhattan Public Schools by serving as PTA President.

Gavin is thrilled to be back in politics to bring about real change for progressive causes that will ensure a more just world for his children and yours.

JASON MANDELL

Director

jason@brysongillette.com

Jason Mandell is a seasoned strategic communications professional with expertise in media relations and education advocacy. He has worked with leading Los Angeles and California nonprofits, including The Education Trust-West, United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the California Charter Schools Association, to elevate awareness and spur action on educational justice, income inequality and homelessness.

As a communications director and consultant, he has a decade of experience spearheading advocacy campaigns, weaving storytelling and data into narratives that have sparked media attention, mobilized communities and achieved policy victories.

Jason's op-eds have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, and many other publications. As a spokesperson, his comments have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR-affiliate KPCC, EdSource and other outlets.

Jason was a founding board member and board president of Resolute Academy, a charter middle school in Watts. He is excited to be part of a team of passionate, progressive, creative people working on some of the most urgent political and social causes facing our communities and our country. He is an Aquarius and a singer-songwriter. He knows a lot, perhaps too much, about Led Zeppelin.

LUCY MARTIKYAN

Director

lucy@brysongillette.com

Lucy Martikyan has more than a decade of experience running campaigns in congressional, statewide, and state legislative elections, as well as local ballot measure campaigns in California. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Lucy worked with TBWBH Props & Measures and Cleansweep Campaigns where she helped develop revenue measures as well as run local and state campaigns. Previously, Lucy worked for prominent Southern California-based firm SG&A Campaigns under Parke Skelton. As a campaign manager and consultant, Lucy has helped elect a myriad of highly qualified candidates in the greater Los Angeles region.

Previous campaigns include Sheila Kuehl for LA County Supervisor, Laura Friedman, Sydney Kamlager and Miguel Santiago for State Assembly, Paul Krekorian and Paul Koretz for City Council, Betty Yee for State Controller, and John Chiang’s bids for State Treasurer and Governor. Lucy received her Masters of Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School, where she graduated at the top of her class. In her spare time, she enjoys working on film photography projects and volunteering for organizations that fight against injustice and promote social and economic equality.

SEAN NESMITH

Intern

sean@brysongillette.com

Sean Nesmith is a senior at New York University studying International Relations and Public Policy. Before coming to Bryson Gillette, he had previously volunteered for Sen. Jon Ossoff and Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock on their senatorial campaigns and worked for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in constituent affairs. A big believer in service-based leadership, Sean is also a sixth-year volunteer for HOBY, a national youth empowerment organization for high-school students.

On campus, Sean works in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. When he isn’t running around Washington Square Park, Sean is probably online, attempting to make sense of politics by way of pop culture and social media.

REBECCA PEARCEY

Vice President and Head of Political Communications

rebecca@brysongillette.com

Rebecca Pearcey is one of the most accomplished Black political operatives in the country. She most recently served as Political Director and Senior Advisor for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign, overseeing political strategy in all 57 states and territories, and managing staff in over 30 states.

During her 20-year career, she has steered hundreds of campaigns across the country, including statewide campaigns in Ohio (Strickland for U.S. Senate) and Indiana (Gregg for Governor). In 2018 she directed the national independent expenditure campaign for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, a cycle in which Democrats flipped over 400 legislative seats and 8 chambers. She has served as a Senior Advisor for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Based in D.C., Pearcey has guest lectured at Harvard, Georgetown and George Mason universities.

SLOANE PERRY

Senior Associate

sloane@brysongillette.com

Sloane Perry double majored in Political Science and Communications at the University of Southern California. She has experience in public relations, campaigns, social media strategy, and research from her internships with Cerrell Associates, the LAX Public Relations team, and the 2020 Colorado Democratic Coordinated Campaign.

As a Colorado Native, she spends most of her free time outside hiking, skiing, at the beach, or playing with her dog, Fig.

KASEY POULIN

Director

kasey@brysongillette.com

Kasey Poulin joins Bryson Gillette fresh off the campaign trail. Having served as National Travel Manager for Senator Elizabeth Warren presidential campaign, Kasey brings key operational and project management skills to the firm. Kasey’s career began field organizing in Massachusetts for the Jay Gonzalez gubernatorial campaign and she has held field and operational positions in congressional and senate races since then.

Born and raised in Maine, Kasey moved to Massachusetts to study at Clark University. After earning her Masters in Public Administration, Kasey committed to working in politics. She has devoted herself to local, state, and national campaigns with an unending belief that political and social engagement can empower all citizens to improve the world.

Kasey lives in Worcester, MA where she met and lives with her partner, Annie Cohn. Kasey and Annie enjoy exploring New England and working on municipal campaigns in the “off season.”

KATHERINE PROVINS

Executive Assistant

katherine @brysongillette.com

Katherine provides administrative support on a wide variety of projects for Bryson Gillette, including project management, client relations, finance, operations, and event planning.

Katherine is a Chicago native now living in Los Angeles. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Outside of the office, you will find her at the dog park, hiking with her Boxer puppy, or spending time with her daughter.

MARCOS RODRIGUEZ

Director

marcos@brysongillette.com

Marcos brings a robust background in speechwriting, crisis communications and political consulting to the team at Bryson Gillette. He works with a broad range of clients from law firms to political candidates to tech organizations. As a native Spanish speaker, Marcos helps connect clients to diverse communities through bilingual communications and engagement with Spanish language news outlets.

Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Marcos completed a fellowship with the Office of the Superintendent at the Los Angeles Unified School District. During the fellowship, he worked on the crisis communications during the 2019 teacher strike and spearheaded communications for new initiatives. Marcos began his career at SKDKnickerbocker, working with congressional candidates, nonprofits and elected officials on strategic communications.

Marcos was born in Mexico, grew up in California's Central Valley and now lives in Los Angeles. He graduated from Harvard University with B.A. in Government.

EMILY SCHWARTZ

Vice President

emily@brysongillette.com

Emily Schwartz has worked at the intersection of technology, politics and policy for over a decade. Most recently, she led Uber’s global data sharing policy where she advised the company on regulatory issues regarding privacy and mobility data, and was embedded on a product and engineering team building open data products.

Prior to Uber, she ran communications strategy and international expansion for NationBuilder, the most widely used political software in the world. There, she helped the company expand from 3 to 112 countries in less than three years and expanded its footprint into the nonprofit and brand space. Emily started her career in field organizing on the 2008 Obama Campaign and has held policy positions at the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and World Trade Organization.

A proud Kansan, Emily believes deeply in the value of honest conversations and loves building and being a part of diverse and impactful teams. She holds a masters degree from the London School of Economics and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Alex and rambunctious one year old, Jameson.

TESS SEGER

Director

tess@brysongillette.com

Tess Seger is an experienced campaign professional with a strong background in paid and strategic communications. Tess put thousands of miles on her car as the communications director for Senator Cory Booker’s Presidential campaign in Iowa. She also served as the campaign manager for Congresswoman Susie Lee’s highly competitive re-election campaign in Nevada. In 2018, as the communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, Tess helped flip federal, statewide, and local seats blue. She started her career at the Los Angeles office of SKDKnickerbocker after graduating with honors from the George Washington University.

Standing up for progressive values is as much a profession as it is a calling for Tess -- she started advocating for public education when she was in the classroom herself. Forever an Oregonian at heart, outside of the office you can find her hiking, practicing yoga, or having heart failure over the latest Trail Blazer game. Tess lives in D.C. with her cat Finnegan.

RISA SUNAKAWA

Intern

risa@brysongillette.com

Risa Sunakawa is a rising senior at Cornell University studying Government and Psychology. Since freshman year, Risa has been committed to prevent what’s left of democracy in the U.S. from dying. She has worked with non-profits in her home state of Utah to increase voter registration and civic engagement, and made a web platform that helped Missourians safely and easily request absentee ballots during the 2020 election season.

She is also a Yankees fan (although not this season). On campus, Risa works as a research assistant in both the Government and Psychology departments, and is excited to learn more about the intersection between the two fields while interning for Bryson Gillette.

JESSICA TAYLOR

Manager

jess@brysongillette.com

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Jess fell in love with public service and political organizing through an internship for her U.S. Senator, Elizabeth Warren. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, she persisted with Senator Warren across the Commonwealth and then the country, serving on her state office staff, Senate re-election campaign, and bid for President. Knowing how much was left to do, Jess finished the 2020 cycle by coordinating absentee ballot data and building the first early voter file for the New Hampshire Democratic Coordinated Campaign. She most recently worked at FreeWill, where she introduced hundreds of high-impact nonprofits to fundraising technology that has democratized philanthropy and raised over $5Billion for charity.

Jess is thrilled to take her passion for progressive causes and organized project management to support the Bryson Gillette team and clients in our pursuit to fight for a better world.

She lives in Atlanta with her partner, Anna, where they’re aiming to try all of the delicious food, dance to lots of live music, and immerse themselves in the city’s legacy of activism.

MIKE TRUJILLO

Vice President

mike@brysongillette.com

Michael Trujillo is a democratic strategist who has served as a senior adviser to political leaders, corporations and nonprofits in California and around the country.

Michael was the youngest City Commissioner in Los Angeles history at the age of 18. He worked as a senior political aide to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008 in California, Texas and North Carolina.

He was one of the first hires to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s initial campaign for Mayor in 2001, while Antonio came up short, Michael worked for him on his successful campaign for LA City Council and then Mayor in 2005. Michael has served as a communication advisor to Actor/Director Rob Reiner, Governor Gray Davis and many others. Michael lives in Downtown Los Angeles.

ANNA WOOD

Operations Manager

anna@brysongillette.com

Anna joins Bryson Gillette from the nonprofit sector, where she has built and strengthened systems for a number of different organizations and programs. Most recently, she served as the Strategic Operations Manager for Central City Association of Los Angeles, a membership-based organization that convenes a variety of industries to tackle LA's most pressing issues and build opportunity in the region. Anna also brings campaign operations experience from her time at New Era Colorado, where she supported the organization's statewide youth civic engagement and issue advocacy work. Anna is passionate about building smart, efficient processes that increase the impact of her colleagues, and believes in the transformative power of equitable operations.

Anna received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology from the University of Colorado with a minor in Leadership Studies and a certificate in Business Management. She also holds a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management. Outside of work you can find Anna exploring LA with her husband Tucker, packing the car for a weekend trip, or cuddling with her cats at home, tea or cocktail in hand.