We help changemakers connect, grow, and lead with clarity.

Denise Kennedy

Founder

Writer. Listener. Observer. Storyteller. Not necessarily in that order.

With 20 years of strategic communications experience, Denise understands what it takes to connect with your audiences and stakeholders. She spends her days working with clients to think beyond a New York Times interview or single success metric because she knows that successful organizations play the long-game. They look at how to connect with audiences across social media, traditional news, events, content and much more. Her approach is to help organizations focus on their goals through integrated communications and collect wins along the way. Her specific skills include strategic planning, media relations, messaging, stakeholder engagement, communications strategy, thought leadership, editing, facilitation and interpreter between clients and creatives and communications experts and business leaders.

In her 20 years, Denise has worked with organizations across a variety of issue areas. Veterans, healthcare, mental health, workforce development, economic development, education, software development and B2B technology are just a few.

Denise graduated with a bachelor’s in Journalism from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She completed General Assembly’s Digital Marketing Certification in February 2018 and is a certified facilitator. She has run exactly one marathon and countless half marathons and other races. Raised in the City of Brotherly Love, she is a diehard Philadelphia sports fan and is still basking in the Eagles 2018 Super Bowl victory.

Elizabeth Downs

Vice President

Loves to read, loves a good story. Wants to help you tell yours.

Elizabeth knows what clients seek in a communications consultant because she was the client for most of her career. She has built communications offices from the ground up for companies in intense growth mode, creating strategies and programs from whole cloth, moving from the strategic to the tactical. Her goal is to provide you with workable, real-world solutions for successful and productive communications and outreach.

With 20 years of experience creating and managing strategic communications and marketing efforts, Elizabeth’s experience is uniquely deep and wide; her strengths run the gamut of the communications cycle – from research, including IDIs and focus groups, through to messaging and strategic planning, implementation and to evaluation.

Micah Azzano

Senior Account Director

The worst at karaoke, but the best at supporting your comms team.

Micah has worked as a communications professional in the DC areas for over 18 years. She has a penchant for thinking outside of the box to come up with strategic solutions to meet client needs; it’s important to make sure the tools and strategies selected are the best fit for the organization. Don’t pick a tool because everyone else is using it – the best solution is not always the most popular. Identifying the right tools for the job is why it is important for communication professionals to understand their clients and the industries they represent. Micah recognizes the value that comes from taking the time to fully understand an organization and their communication goals from the start. This understanding serves as the base for building creative, strategic communication campaigns that get clients noticed.

Micah has a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising from Drury University and an M.A. in Communication and Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. She is truly a terrible singer but a joy to work with…just ask her!

Lyn Schultes Franco

Senior Strategist

Former reporter, wannabe novelist. Will help you connect with hard-to-reach audiences.

With 20 years of journalism, PR, marketing and digital strategy experience, Lyn provides clients with effective, measurable, integrated communications solutions that support larger organizational goals. Her specific skills include strategic planning, thought leadership, CX strategy, fundraising communications, media relations, message training, digital content strategy and video storytelling.

Lyn graduated with a Master’s in European Foreign Policy from the London School of Economics, and with a bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism and International Relations from the University of Miami. She lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and daughter in a house full of dogs and cats.

Jessica Clair

Account Supervisor

Can help get the most out of your online presence and find the best cat GIFs.

Jessica has worked as a project manager and content writer in both in-house and agency positions. She specializes in distilling complex information into something useful, digestible, and interesting. She has extensive digital marketing experience and has worked across a variety of industries, including fintech, laboratory science, commercial real estate, and venture capital. She understands the importance of balancing complex technical concepts with the short-form demands of today’s digital-first market. She can help you create a data-backed strategy to get the most out of your online and offline communications.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Jessica has dual B.A.s in Art History and Writing from Edinboro University and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University. She is Google Analytics certified and can help you navigate the ever-changing demands of the digital world. She is terrible with printers and office phones, which is why she likes to work online!

Maya Reid

Senior Account Executive

Communications Lover and Coffee Enthusiast.

Maya is a Digital Media professional with years of experience in social media management and PR. Maya possesses the ability to grow and adapt brand tone for community management and outreach. She understands how important it is to establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with the community which is why she loves community outreach! She also has a deep knowledge of digital culture and possesses excellent communication skills, ideal for copywriting, public relations and crisis communication. Nothing really stumps her other than deciding if she wants her coffee hot or iced.

Born and raised in Virginia, Maya has a B.S. in Communications from Old Dominion University and is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from The University of Maryland Global Campus.