GARRETT ARWA

Vice President and Head of Political Communications

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. 

ELSA ALVARADO

Director

elsa@brysongillette.com

Elsa Alvarado is a politically savvy strategist and communications expert whose clients span the breadth of Bryson Gillette’s public affairs portfolio. Elsa leverages her years of senior-level public affairs experience from the Pentagon, State Department, and campaign trail to position her clients for success. Her work includes helping national education nonprofits amplify their work across the media landscape; positioning tech reform coalitions to change digital privacy laws across the U.S.; and advising the CEO of a major national consumer advocacy organization on engaging high-priority audiences. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Elsa served in the Biden-Harris administration as director of strategic communications in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs. In this role, she received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Achievement for her work in preparing the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for their congressional engagements. During her tenure, Elsa successfully advanced the office’s top priorities amidst a series of global crises, including the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In 2020, Elsa served on the vetting team of President Biden’s presidential campaign, primarily vetting for now-First Lady Jill Biden.

Elsa is a native New Yorker and now resides in Washington D.C. with her partner, Hunter, and their Australian Shepherd puppy, Smokey.

MONIKA LEE

Senior Manager

monika@brysongillette.com

Monika joins Bryson Gillette after working as the Associate Communications Director at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, a statewide health advocacy organization advancing health equity and racial justice. Previously, Monika worked on several statewide campaigns and ballot initiatives as a Campaign Coordinator at Paschal Roth. She has experience in full-scale communications work, from public education campaigns to targeted legislative work, all with a desire to bridge policymakers and elected officials to the communities they serve and are accountable to. She has worked across a variety of policy areas, including health, housing, clean energy, and labor unions.

Originally from San Diego, she currently resides in Sacramento. She graduated from Scripps College with a B.A. in Legal Studies, focusing on History. In her spare time, she served as the Campaign Manager for a local city council race, volunteers with Global Shapers Sacramento, an organization funded by the World Economic Forum, and enjoys bouldering, hiking, and baking.

MICHAEL OCON

Manager

michael.ocon@brysongillette.com

Michael Ocon handles project management and a variety of writing and media relations duties for clients on Bryson Gillette’s public affairs and political teams. A passionate advocate for educational equity and institutional access, as well as a trained political organizer, Michael interned for influential elected officials, political campaigns and advocacy organizations, including Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor; Kamala Harris’ Senate office and presidential campaign; George Gascón for District Attorney; and SEIU-USWW. In these roles, he worked closely with senior staff on communications and rapid response, field organizing strategy, and policy advocacy on education reform and youth voter engagement. At Stanford University, Michael served as the inaugural Student Advisor to the Provost and Vice Provost of Student Affairs. In this newly created role, he counseled administrators and trustees on issues related to budget reform, investment responsibility, community crisis response, public safety, and diversity and inclusion. He also co-founded the Stanford Coalition for Workers’ Rights, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for direct Covid-related relief for hundreds of Bay Area workers. 

In his spare time, Michael can be found gaming with his friends, watching true crime documentaries, listening to R&B, and writing stories about the places and the people he calls home.

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. 

Kyle Valdes

Intern

Kyle Valdes is a Cuban-American who was born and raised in Miami, FL. He is currently a senior at the University of Southern California where he is majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Advertising. He loves to travel, try new foods, and spend quality time with family and friends.

ALEXIS MOLDEN

Intern

Alexis Molden is a second year Political Science major at UCLA. During her first year, she had the opportunity to participate in student government and other advocacy projects that contributed towards helping marginalized communities. As a part of the fellowship for UCLA’s office of the External Vice President, she was able to represent UCLA by understanding and adhering to the different needs of the students on campus. She has also participated in Black Lobby Day as a delegate for her university as she discussed with Senators and Assembly Members the different ways to rectify local and national issues. Moreover, her role in the University of California Student of Color Conference allowed her to connect with other leaders to discuss plans of action in advocating for change. She has already begun to dedicate her career to advocating for equality and equitability within society, and is excited to continue fulfilling her passion of contributing towards change as an intern for Bryson Gillette.

SYNIA BOYER

Intern

Synia Boyer is a junior at Howard University, currently studying Strategic Communication. She is passionate about advancing equity in politics and even created a blog that covered social justice issues. Prior to joining Bryson Gillette, Synia developed social content for Evoke Kyne, a health public relations agency. Interning with the agency’s reputation and social impact team, she also conducted research and supported content for equity initiatives. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Synia enjoys meditation, listening to music, and spending time with her loved ones. She is excited to bring her progressive spirit to Bryson Gillette while learning more about media strategy in public affairs.

DIEGO ANDRADES

Intern

Diego is a senior double majoring in Political Science (honors) and Politics, Philosophy, and Law with a minor in Legal Studies. At USC, Diego found a passion for research, emphasizing in electoral politics, voting systems, and electoral accessibility. Diego's interests in politics have evolved beyond academia, and he has since leveraged his background in electoral research to advocate for progressive voting policies at organizations like Crooked Media and Common Cause.