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.

GARRETT ARWA

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Aref Aziz

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Paul Bean

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Larry Browning

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Bill Burton

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DAMARA CATLETT

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JANHVI CHANDRA

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EMILY CHING

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JOSEFIN DOLSTEN

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EVELYN DREWS

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MICKI DUNCAN

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Shira Fine

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Ashley French

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Raúl Hernández

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Michael Kurtz

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PAIGE LAZARUS

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Jacqueline Lee Rivera

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Seth Litt

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Roy Loewenstein

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Lindsey Mears

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KIRIT MINHAS

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Jason Noble

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Ifetayo Olutosin

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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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CARLIN SCRUDATO

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Risa Sunakawa

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Jess Taylor

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Varsha Vijayakumar

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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.

Bryson Gillette is not a registered lobbyist and does not provide lobbying services. All lobbying services will be provided exclusively by BG Advocacy and BG Advocacy team members.

GARRETT ARWA

Senior Vice President | Head of Political

garrett@brysongillette.com

Garrett Arwa has over 15 years of successful experience working on campaigns and with cause-based organizations. He most recently served as the interim executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. He led the NDRC’s post-redistricting pivot to support pro-democracy candidates in the 2022 midterm elections, expanding its work into protecting election administration and preparing the organization for the fall U.S. Supreme Court term with two consequential redistricting cases before the court. Garrett has served in previous leadership roles at the For Our Future PAC and For Our Future Action Fund (FOF), NextGen Climate, and the Michigan Democratic Party.

Outside of the office, Garrett is an avid cook, will dance just about anywhere (especially department stores), can be found walking while listening to an audiobook, and loves to go on adventures with his wife Emily and their pug Franklin.

AREF AZIZ

Director

aref@brysongillette.com

Aref Aziz is a seasoned marketing expert, digital strategist and campaign consultant who creates innovative, customized solutions for some of his clients’ greatest challenges. Those clients have included leading tech companies, groundbreaking legislative efforts and successful political campaigns. Aref designed and and implemented the first multi-channel consumer marketing program for a next-gen, privacy-by-design social network. His digital programs helped secure the passage of Measure LA – a historic bond measure that will invest $5 billion to prepare students for 21st century careers – and California’s first-in-the-nation law to reduce single-use plastics. In 2022, Aref ran digital operations for the independent expenditure campaigns of the Sacramento Central Labor Council and Los Angeles Central Labor Council. The same year, Aref managed all digital and mail for L.A. Unified Board Member Nick Melvoin’s successful re-election campaign. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Aref served as a campaign consultant on some of California's most contentious statewide races. He 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. Through ballot measures, Aref has helped raise nearly $15 billion in generated and expected revenue for infrastructure investments throughout California.

Outside of work, Aref enjoys hiking, photography, and tending to his garden.

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, Paul Bean gently pushes each project as far as it can go, to live up to its potential. His expertise is in stripping away the nonessentials to make the communication as powerful as possible. Paul was trained in branding and print design at Kingston University, London, where he won a D&AD New Blood Award before joining the prestigious product design agency SeymourPowell, where he trained under Richard Seymour. While running Delivery of Thought, a small design studio, Paul worked with a wide variety of clients from The Prince’s Trust, Unilever, Freedom From Torture, Puma and Adidas (not at the same time!). Since then, he has been busy designing branding, websites, digital and print ads, policy reports, and a wide range of collateral for all types of clients, from political candidates and advocacy organizations to Fortune 100 corporations and education institutions.

Paul and his wife, Becky, have lived in both New York City and Seattle, and are now settled in Santa Barbara with their beautiful daughter, Poppy.

LARRY BROWNING

Partner | Chief Legal Officer

larry@brysongillette.com

Larry Browning serves as Bryson Gillette’s chief legal counsel and also leads on finance and strategic ventures. He is a graduate of Binghamton University and Cornell Law School and has spent the past 20 years in legal and business affairs working on complex and emerging corporate, technology, entertainment, and finance matters for both U.S. and international clients at various national law firms and major corporations. Larry excels in a fast-paced, fluid environment and enjoys collaborating to solve problems and build lasting partnerships.

Larry lives with his wife, Kelley, and their three kids in New Jersey, just outside NYC. Outside of work you can find Larry hanging with his family or hiking.

BILL BURTON

Founding Partner | Chief Executive Officer

bill@brysongillette.com

Bill Burton is a renowned political and communications strategist who has worked as a senior adviser to some of the nation’s most influential political leaders, corporations, advocacy organizations, and nonprofits. After serving as national press secretary for then-Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Bill became a senior adviser and deputy press secretary during President Obama’s first term in the White House. For over two decades, he has shepherded hundreds of candidates in races across the country, while also driving national communications campaigns on the biggest issues of our time, from climate change and education reform to voting rights and racial justice. A natural communicator who simplifies complicated ideas and designs strategies that break through the noise, Bill empowers leaders and organizations large and small to communicate with authenticity and build lasting relationships with their audiences.

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.

DAMARA CATLETT

Senior Vice President

damara@brysongillette.com

With nearly two decades of experience in issue campaign strategy, lobbying, strategic communications, and corporate third-party engagement, Damara Catlett brings a thoughtful and creative approach to her work managing a broad portfolio of clients in tech, media, civil rights, and social justice. Damara was a government affairs principal at the Raben Group for 13 years, leading cutting edge issue campaigns. She worked with Airbnb during the company's nascent years to build its strategy around domestic lobbying, strategic communications, and partner engagement. She spearheaded efforts for We Must Count, drawing national attention to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. She helped manage the Second Chance on Shoot First campaign, which brought national awareness to Stand Your Ground laws following the shooting of Trayvon Martin. She led a multi-state civic engagement campaign for the National Urban League that reached over 350,000 African American voters. Damara got her start working as a client strategies manager at Winning Connections, where she managed voter contact campaigns for nonprofits, political party organizations, and candidates, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. She is a board member of the Voter Participation Center, a member of the National Institute for Lobbying Ethics's AI Task Force, an advisory board member for the Center for Democracy and Technology, was a New Leaders Council Institute Fellow, and served on the inaugural Kennedy Center Culture Caucus, where she worked with afrofuturists forecasting emerging tech policy issues through the arts.

Damara resides in Washington, D.C. with her fiance. Outside of work you can find Damara running, hiking or camping.

JANHVI CHANDRA

Bryson Gillette Fellow

janhvi@brysongillette.com

Janhvi Chandra (she/her) was born and raised in India before moving to France and the U.S. for her higher education. She speaks Hindi, English, and French fluently and has her eyes set on learning Spanish. Janhvi recently graduated from the dual degree program between SciencesPo, Paris and UC Berkeley, double majoring in political economy and politics and government with a minor in public policy. There, she explored topics such as international political economy, climate justice, development economics, inequality, and poverty reduction. Previously, Janhvi interned at Evergreen Strategy Group and at BerlinRosen as part of the UC Washington Program, where she focused on public affairs and issue advocacy. As an emerging fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, Jahnvi wrote a policy memo on reducing wealth inequality through housing.

When not working or studying, she loves traveling, cooking, mixing music on her console, and getting lost in a good book.

EMILY CHING

Associate | Operations

emily.ching@brysongillette.com

Emi Ching, a recent graduate from the University of Southern California with degrees in Economics & Data Science and Narrative Studies, brings her passion for community empowerment and diversity to Bryson Gillette. As a member of the Strategic Operations department, Emi leverages her skills to bolster new business endeavors, manage talent acquisition efforts, streamline travel coordination, and fulfill various operational duties. Her proven leadership as a founding executive board member and Editor-in-Chief of Descent Magazine, USC’s first APIDA arts and literary publication, coupled with her commitment to fostering inclusive environments, positions her as a valuable contributor to Bryson Gillette’s strategic vision.

Emi now lives in Los Angeles where you can find her searching for the best boba shops, taking dance classes at the local studios, and trying to keep up with her infinite to-read list.

JOSEFIN DOLSTEN

Director

josefin@brysongillette.com

Josefin Dolsten is a communications leader with more than a decade of experience in journalism and nonprofit strategy. She previously worked at Fenton Communications and Global Health Strategies, where she provided counsel to organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Everytown for Gun Safety, Vera Institute of Justice and States United Democracy Center. She brings deep expertise in media relations and has helped secure placements in top-tier outlets such as the Associated Press, New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Previously, Josefin worked as a reporter covering the intersection of religion and gender. She continues to author thought leadership pieces on politics and societal inequity. Her writing has been published in the Daily Beast, Refinery29, GO Magazine, the Forward and elsewhere.

Josefin lives in New York with her partner, Tali. She loves learning new languages (she speaks four and has studied a handful of others!), reading and hiking.

EVELYN DREWS

Bryson Gillette Fellow

evelyn@brysongillette.com

Evelyn Drews recently graduated from the University of Southern California, where she majored in political science with a minor in communications and a specialization in cybersecurity. Evelyn worked in political media, marketing, market research, and advertising during her time at USC. She is particularly interested in strategic communications and public affairs within the tech and media spaces, with a focus on making tech more ethical.

Evelyn is originally from the Chicago area and is looking forward to exploring new parts of Los Angeles. She also enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends in her free time.

MICKI DUNCAN

Senior Director

micki@brysongillette.com

Micki Duncan joined Bryson Gillette after spending the last few years managing strategic communications and public affairs campaigns in the Boston area, where she most recently worked on Maura Healey's successful campaign to become the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts. Micki has held communications and media operations roles for political candidates, elected officials, and various corporate and nonprofit clients. She previously served on Senator Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign, in the office of Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, on various congressional and local campaigns, and at public relations agency Weber Shandwick.

Micki lives in the Boston area, where she enjoys going on hikes with her dog, Moose, gardening, and swimming in Walden Pond.

SHIRA FINE

Partner | Head of Strategic Communications

shira@brysongillette.com

The head of Bryson Gillette’s public affairs department, Shira Fine creates audacious, award-winning communication campaigns for high-impact, high-profile organizations and individuals working to change the world. She helps brands tell their stories and creates paths to success for impactful progressive causes. A creative thinker who is fluent in comprehensive communications strategy, digital engagement, media relations, branding and messaging, Shira designs bespoke campaigns to achieve clients’ goals. Her proudest achievements include advising the social impact campaign for Netflix’s Oscar-nominated, ceiling-shattering documentary Crip Camp; elevating the media profile of the largest homeless services and advocacy organization in California; and teaching lawmakers about the benefits of regenerative agriculture.

On the weekends, she can be found hiking in Griffith Park, wandering on the beach or discovering new playgrounds with her husband and two sons.

ASHLEY FRENCH

Manager

ashley@brysongillette.com

Ashley French is a political communicator who leverages digital expertise to empower the progressive movement. During the 2020 and 2022 election cycles, Ashley was a digital fundraiser for Democratic causes and campaigns. With email and text messaging CRMs, she raised millions for federal and state races, political action committees, and public policy issue groups, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Ashley worked on social media and digital campaigns in global public affairs.

Ashley is a born and raised Angeleno currently based in DC. Outside of work, you can find her at book club, watching Jeopardy, or rallying for trivia night.

RAÚL HERNÁNDEZ

Vice President | People

raul@brysongillette.com

With a knack for making strategic connections between people, programs, and resources, Raúl Hernández builds capacity in teams and institutions to maximize impact. A former educator with nearly 20 years of experience in education reform and talent development, Raúl oversees all things human resources at Bryson Gillette. He has expertise in designing and delivering learning experiences that resonate with audiences. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Raúl led alumni and corps member work for Teach For America Los Angeles for over 10 years. 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. Previously, Raúl spent eight years as a public school classroom teacher in Baltimore and Boston.

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.

MICHAEL KURTZ

Director | Special Projects

michael.kurtz@brysongillette.com

An expert in devising and implementing captivating strategic communication plans, Michael Kurtz has over a decade of experience coordinating progressive campaigns at the local, state, and national levels. Recently, Michael served as a Michigan-based political consultant, working alongside Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist on multiple successful GOTV campaigns targeting constituencies statewide. Prior to that, he directed a presidential campaign in Michigan, served as a budget advisor and comptroller for a successful statewide ballot initiative, and managed a winning congressional campaign for an open seat in a red-to-blue district. Michael's career began with President Obama's '08 campaign, where he worked as a finance assistant, and continued as a highly effective fundraiser for multiple election cycles, raising millions of dollars for campaigns nationwide.

Outside the office, Michael enjoys spending time camping and exploring new vegetarian recipes and restaurants. He currently resides in Michigan with his fiancé, Megan, and their cat, Lucy.

PAIGE LAZARUS

Director

paige@brysongillette.com

Paige Lazarus is a storyteller and social change strategist with more than a decade of experience leading brand awareness and issue advocacy campaigns for corporations, philanthropists, nonprofits, and government agencies. She joined Bryson Gillette following positions at NBC News, Weber Shandwick and Fenton Communications.

Paige has managed capacity-building and earned media communications strategies for leading nonprofit organizations including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Black Voters Matter, Facing History & Ourselves, and the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium. She worked as a communications director for one of the nation’s oldest micro-granting organizations, Citizens Committee for New York City.

Paige began her career in D.C., where she helped launch integrated education awareness campaigns on behalf of organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. She also served as a press manager and writer for grassroots political campaigns during the 2018 midterm and 2020 presidential elections.

Paige is a graduate of the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri where she studied broadcast journalism, Spanish and multicultural studies. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, enjoys sourcing and playing vinyl records, and is a RYT200 certified yoga instructor.

JACQUELINE LEE RIVERA

Senior Director

jacqueline@brysongillette.com

Jacqueline Lee Rivera has more than a decade of experience developing and managing award-winning campaigns for feature films, global nonprofit organizations, and Fortune 100 companies tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time. Most recently, she led a rebrand for the country’s largest and oldest direct scholarship provider to Native students, that increased the organization’s average annual media impressions, and she led the national launch of an unprecedented coalition of farmers, food companies and environmental advocates championing climate-friendly agriculture practices. Previously, she served as an impact producer leading social impact campaigns for feature films and television such as Academy Award-winner American Factory; NAACP Image Awards Best Documentary winner John Lewis: Good Trouble; and the acclaimed docuseries America To Me. Jacqueline also has experience leading international humanitarian and disaster relief communications during the Syrian Refugee Crisis and the Nepal Earthquake of 2015 and developing cause marketing campaigns in partnership with Microsoft YouthSpark and Gucci’s Chime For Change.

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.

SETH LITT

Vice President

seth@brysongillette.com

Seth Litt is a strategist, communicator and doer who has spent 20 years bringing people together to build capacity and develop strategy to solve complex challenges. Equally skilled at media relations, brand-building, activating coalitions, and digital engagement, Seth employs every tool at his disposal to help his clients – from innovative national nonprofits to leading technology companies – expand their imagination of what is possible and then achieve their goals. Seth is also a seasoned nonprofit executive whose work has strengthened public education and empowered disenfranchised communities. He has organized marginalized families in Los Angeles to secure historic policy victories increasing access to high quality schools. He co-founded an organization that raised and distributed funds to over 4,000 families during the height of the pandemic. Seth founded a public high school in the South Bronx for young people who deserve a fair shot at happiness and success after being impacted by the criminal legal system.

Seth and his wife Lucy live in Washington DC with their two Australian Shepherds, Zeus and Lefty.

ROY LOEWENSTEIN

Director

roy@brysongillette.com

Roy Loewenstein joins Bryson Gillette with nearly a decade of strategic communications experience in the Biden-Harris Administration, both chambers of Congress, and on political campaigns at the federal, state, and local level. Most recently, he served as Press Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, leading communications strategy for the Administration's student debt relief initiatives and its work to fix the student loan system as well as all congressional oversight matters involving the Department.

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Roy served as a top spokesman for U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) during some of the most tumultuous and productive congressional moments in recent years, including two Presidential impeachment trials, the COVID-19 pandemic, and passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Some of Roy’s other past lives include serving as Communications Director for the Montana Democratic Party, Press Secretary for former Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), a crew leader for the Montana Conservation Corps helping rebuild trails in northwest Montana and Idaho, and as a camp counselor in Pennsylvania, which is still the most fun he’s ever had.

Roy spends his free time looking for excuses to drive across the country, watching movies, and trying to explain to people who aren’t familiar with Washington, DC what an English basement is.

LINDSEY MEARS

Senior Director | Research and Polling

lindsey@brysongillette.com

Lindsey Mears is a research-driven strategist, with a focus on message development, viability testing, audience identification and segmentation, and reputation management. She brings a data-driven, audience-centric approach to all of her clients. Lindsey began her career in political campaign polling in Washington, D.C. and has since worked with a variety of clients across sectors, including progressive campaigns, Native Corporations, unions, early childhood education advocates, energy corporations, international financial institutions, and government agencies. She takes a mode-agnostic approach to research; with expertise in all areas of opinion research, she works with clients to determine the best type of research to achieve their goals. Lindsey is a RIVA-trained focus group moderator, having moderated dozens of focus groups nationwide.

Lindsey grew up in Colorado and currently resides in Seattle. If she’s not on a mountainside looking for views, you can find her by the water with her husband and dog hoping for a seal or whale sighting.

KIRIT MINHAS

Bryson Gillette Fellow

kirit@brysongillette.com

Kirit Minhas is a recent graduate of Georgetown University, where he studied English literature, journalism, and French & Francophone studies. He brings political communications and advocacy experience to Bryson Gillette, along with a passion for raising awareness about diversity across communities. His previous work includes raising religious awareness as Vice President of GU’s Sikh Student Association and curating the social media presence of GU Eating Society as Marketing Director.

Kirit is based in Washington, D.C., where he can be found on a run around the monuments, trying to sharpen his barista skills, and practicing Spanish on Duolingo.

JASON NOBLE

Director, Earned Media

jason.noble@brysongillette.com

A seasoned communicator with a journalist’s eye for finding and telling a story, Jason Noble helps public affairs clients build a narrative and share it with the world. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Jason held senior communications roles in national political organizations, state and federal legislative offices, and candidate campaigns. As vice president of communications for NextGen America, the nation’s largest youth voting organization, he oversaw earned, owned, and paid media in the run-up to the 2022 mid-terms that saw Democrats perform at historic levels. Jason served as Iowa communications director for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign. Most recently he was communications director for the Iowa Senate Democratic Caucus. Jason began his career as a reporter, first at the Kansas City Star and then the Des Moines Register, where he covered state and national politics and Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses (RIP). Once a journalist, always a journalist: Jason excels at simplifying the complicated and matching stories that need to be told to the audience that needs to hear them.

Jason lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife and two kids. Come visit!

IFETAYO OLUTOSIN

Bryson Gillette Fellow

ifetayo@brysongillette.com

Ifetayo Olutosin (she/her/hers) recently received her doctoral degree in comparative literature from the University of Southern California, where she also earned an M.A. in comparative literature. Her dissertation focused on exploring the formation of Black aesthetics in contemporary Afro-Latin American film, specifically looking at Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Throughout her academic career, she has contributed to numerous publications at USC, including the School of Cinematic Arts In Motion magazine. With a strong background in strategic communication and public affairs, she served as a copy editor and graduate teaching consultant at USC and as a public affairs intern at Viacom. Ifetayo has been recognized with several fellowships, including the Diversity, Inclusion, Access Fellowship at USC, a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, and The Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship.

In her free time, she enjoys daily walks, pilates, reading romance and crime novels, and trying out new culinary dishes.

REBECCA PEARCEY

Partner | Political Communications

rebecca@brysongillette.com

One of the most accomplished political operatives in the country, Rebecca Pearcey works on local, state, and national political campaigns at Bryson Gillette. In 2022, she led the paid media strategy to elect Pennsylvania's first African American Congresswoman, Summer Lee, and advised more than 20 candidates throughout the cycle. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Rebecca served as political director and senior advisor for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign, where she led a flood-all-zones strategy and oversaw staff teams in all 57 states and territories. Her work for Sen. Warren included overseeing ballot access operation, delegate recruitment and operations, advising on external communications strategy, surrogate and principal scheduling, and briefing the candidate on a daily basis. In 2018, as director of the national independent expenditure campaign for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, Rebecca played a crucial role in flipping over 400 legislative seats and eight chambers. During her 20-year career, she has steered hundreds of campaigns across the country, including running a U.S. Senate race in Ohio and a gubernatorial race in Indiana. Outside of her career, Rebecca is committed to mentoring and training diverse young talent in strategic campaign management through the Blue Leadership Collaborative. Her dedication to fostering fresh talent has earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service in 2021. A native of Oregon, Rebecca is now based in Washington DC.

If Rebecca hasn’t missed her flight, she is probably tweeting about how close she’s calling it and offering travel tips on Twitter.

SLOANE PERRY

Senior Manager

sloane@brysongillette.com

Sloane Perry handles project management, media tracking, a variety of writing duties including op-eds and website content, and an array of production responsibilities for Bryson Gillette’s political and public affairs clients. She has helped re-elect L.A. Unified Board of Education members and is now working to elect a first-time Congressmember. She was part of the team that helped secure California’s first-in-the-nation law to reduce single-use plastics. Sloane helped create and implement paid media for Measure LA, a historic bond measure that will invest $5 billion to prepare students for 21st century careers. She also supported Caroline Simmons’ successful mayor campaign in Stamford, Connecticut and our global media work with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. Previously, Sloane served as a researcher at Unite America and did field work for the 2020 Democratic campaign in Colorado.

Sloane spends most of her free time outside hiking, skiing, at the beach, or playing with her dog, Fig.

KASEY POULIN

Senior Director | Strategic Operations and Paid Media Production

kasey@brysongillette.com

Kasey Poulin leads the firm’s paid media and production work. From video production, ad buying all the way to direct mail, Kasey helps to shepherd our political and public affairs clients through the process of creating compelling paid media content from beginning to end. Previously, she was national travel manager for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign and before that served on Warren’s successful U.S. Senate re-election campaign. Kasey began her career as a field organizer for Jay González’s gubernatorial campaign in Massachusetts.

Kasey and her wife Annie live in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they enjoy getting involved in local political races.

KATHERINE PROVINS

Executive Assistant

katherine @brysongillette.com

Katherine Provins 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. 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

Senior Director

marcos@brysongillette.com

A skillful writer, bilingual media expert, paid media strategist, crisis advisor, and campaign manager, Marcos Rodriguez Maciel does it all in service of a truly diverse spectrum of clients. Marcos’ advocacy campaign for a survivor of abuse by a church leader yielded sweeping coverage, from NPR to the Associated Press to the L.A. Times. He has designed communications and digital engagement strategies for top tech companies and drafted speeches for leaders of some of the country’s largest governmental organizations. Marcos’ op-eds have appeared in top publications like the Washington Post and USA Today. He has also guided candidates through highly competitive races, from statewide to Congress to school board, designing comprehensive paid media plans, executing complex mail plans, and developing Spanish and bilingual ads. From helping elect Congressmember Josh Harder to turning out Spanish-speaking voters in Arizona during the 2020 election to re-electing L.A. Unified Board President Kelly Gonez, Marcos leverages polling, research, and creativity to help candidates win.

Outside of work, Marcos loves to travel and often spends his weekends outside of Los Angeles. He also enjoys trying new restaurants and knows the best spots in L.A.

EMILY SCHWARTZ

Partner | Strategic Communications

emily@brysongillette.com

A national expert in social media reform, Emily Schwartz has worked at the intersection of technology, business and policy for nearly 15 years. She led the media and communications strategy for Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, creating and managing an unprecedented international media consortium. She helped secure the passage of groundbreaking legislation in California requiring tech companies to prioritize children’s safety and privacy. She has shepherded clients through high-pressure opportunities, from congressional and Parliamentary testimonies to SXSW appearances, from interviews with the New York Times and Vanity Fair to segments on CBS’ 60 Minutes and HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, she led Uber’s global data sharing policy, advising the company on regulatory issues regarding privacy and mobility data. Drawing on her leadership experience in the tech sector, as well as stints at the World Trade Organization and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Emily helps her clients win over the media, legislators and the public.

Emily lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three baby boys.

CARLIN SCRUDATO

Senior Advisor

carlin@brysongillette.com

Carlin is an experienced strategist with a diverse background spanning roles at startups, the U.S. Senate, and leadership positions at Meta. She brings an insider’s knowledge of tech companies to her work with clients who are challenging the tech sector to act more ethically and responsibly. At CrowdTangle, Carlin worked to combat election misinformation in Latin America, assisting journalists, academics, researchers, and various industries in monitoring social media trends. She also supported global health organizations, nonprofits, and intergovernmental institutions with data analysis and messaging during the pandemic. She has helped companies navigate privacy, policy, legal, civil rights, responsible AI, data science, and ethics issues. A seasoned team leader and project manager who has collaborated with everyone from content creators to government officials, Carlin has also championed women’s health, gender-affirming care, and diversity efforts within her organizations. In addition to her tech and policy work, Carlin has bridged gaps in venture capital and is committed to shaping the future of innovation and equity.

A graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, and a former college soccer athlete, Carlin resides on the West Coast with her partner. She enjoys cooking and playing futevôlei.

RISA SUNAKAWA

Senior Manager

risa@brysongillette.com

Risa Sunakawa has quickly developed a specialty in tech reform, handling project management and a variety of writing projects for nonprofit and private sector clients working to transform social media and the digital landscape for the common good. She was part of the team that helped secure groundbreaking California legislation implementing landmark online safety regulations for children. She also helped elect a first-time member of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Risa worked with multiple nonprofits to increase voter registration and civic engagement in Utah, including one focusing on the AAPI community. She also created a web platform that helped Missourians safely and easily request absentee ballots during the 2020 election season.

Risa is a Yankees fan, but will root for the Angels for Ohtani. In her free time, she likes pretending like she knows about wine.

JESSICA TAYLOR

Director | People Operations

jess@brysongillette.com

Jess Taylor provides strategic operations and human resources support to help scale team impact. She has served both political campaigns and public affairs clients through a variety of duties, including project management, media tracking, a variety of writing duties, and an array of production responsibilities. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Jess managed organizing teams and special projects for statewide and national political campaigns, including Senator Elizabeth Warren’s senate re-election campaign and presidential bid, and the Democratic ticket in New Hampshire in 2020.

Jess 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.

VARSHA VIJAYAKUMAR

Manager

varsha@brysongillette.com

Varsha Vijayakumar (she/they) is a communications and human rights strategist who devotes their expertise to moving the needle on equity initiatives and catalyzing positive change. Varsha brings years of experience supporting student- and youth-led organizing efforts for racial and social justice, and seeks to empower minoritized communities in defending their rights. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Varsha crafted creative communications and digital strategy to amplify the crisis-driven work of Sakhi for South Asian Women, a prominent gender-based violence nonprofit in New York City. Varsha also served on the Emerging Leaders Advisory Board of Human Rights First, a leading international NGO focused on preserving human rights in the U.S. and abroad.

Outside of work, Varsha enjoys giving book recommendations, exploring vegan restaurants with her partner, and doting on her irresistibly cuddly cat.

ANNA WOOD

Director | Enterprise Operations

anna@brysongillette.com

Anna Wood manages Bryson Gillette’s internal operations and is thrilled to be part of the firm’s strategic growth. Anna wears many hats at Bryson Gillette, and is passionate about building smart, efficient processes that increase her colleagues’ impact. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Anna worked as the strategic operations manager at Los Angeles’ Central City Association. She also led organizing teams for youth voter mobilization and issue advocacy efforts as regional organizing manager at New Era Colorado.

Outside of work you can find Anna exploring LA with her husband, packing the car for a weekend trip, or cuddling with her cats at home, tea or cocktail in hand.

JASON MANDELL

Senior Director

jason@brysongillette.com

Jason Mandell helps changemakers and organizational leaders deepen their impact through persuasive messaging, powerful storytelling, and the strategic deployment of resources. A skilled writer, creative thinker and experienced media strategist, Jason positions his clients to increase their exposure, influence public opinion, and change policy. Over the years, he has secured coverage in countless outlets, from the New York Times to Politico; scripted everything from brand videos to op-eds to speeches; and provided media coaching for everyone from CEOs and elected officials to teachers and farmers. His proudest moments at Bryson Gillette including helping to launch a national climate coalition advocating for regenerative agriculture; shepherding a national paid advertising campaign pressuring Congress to pass voting rights legislation; creating consumer-friendly messaging for a housing startup and an innovative crowdfunding platform; and significantly expanding the media footprint of the nation’s largest and oldest scholarship provider to Indigenous students. A former reporter, Jason has served as a communications director for nonprofits advocating for better schools, economic justice, and solutions to homelessness.

Jason and his partner Ellie live in Pasadena and enjoy hiking, eating, bossa nova, and the occasional healthy debate.