RATIONAL360 - Key Persons

Abigail Sheppard

Job Titles:

Director
Member of the Leadership Team
Director at Rational 360

Abigail Sheppard is a Director at Rational 360 with an extensive background in strategic communications in both the public and private sector. Before Rational, Abigail supported the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as a Communications Associate with ICF Next. There, Abigail crafted strategic messaging for the Director to further the agency's stance as the nation's leader in cyber defense. During her time with ICF Next, Abigail completed her graduate studies at Georgetown University, where she received her master's degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. Prior to graduate school, Abigail was Communications Director for Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX). Abigail crafted messaging around the Congressman's legislative priorities, including homeland security, agriculture, and bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico. Additionally, Abigail developed strong working relationships with local and national press to help strengthen the Congressman's media presence. When not busy on Capitol Hill, Abigail volunteered for then-Congressman Beto O'Rourke's election race for the U.S. Senate. Originally from South Texas, Abigail received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University in San Antonio and took advantage of the University's vast study abroad opportunities to study in Iceland, Australia, and London.

Alex Garvey

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Strategist, Digital Advertising

Alexander Garvey is a digital advertising professional with a passion for political communication and social media marketing. Alexander earned his B.S. in Media Arts and Design at James Madison University with a concentration in Advertising and a minor in Political Science. Prior to joining Rational 360, Alexander had experience copywriting and working on social media content for a Virginia House of Delegates Campaign.

Alina Bondarenko

Job Titles:

Associate
Member of the Leadership Team

Alina Bondarenko is a public relations professional with more than five years of experience working in Eastern Europe and the United States. She joins Rational 360 after being the public relations and brand communications manager at WE/AR Studio, a Ukrainian technology company providing extended reality solutions for businesses around the world. Previously, she led public relations efforts at Egis Ukraina, based in Kyiv, and traveled throughout Ukraine to help advance the European Union's waste management and climate change projects in close cooperation with government ministries in half-dozen regions of the country. She also interned in Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, working on European Union integration efforts. Alina earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics.

Ben DePasquale

Job Titles:

Associate
Member of the Leadership Team

Ben DePasquale is a communications and data science professional with experience in public relations, research, statistical modeling, and political analysis. Ben graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where he majored in Music and Environmental Studies and minored in Data Science and Statistics. Prior to joining Rational 360, Ben worked in the Pennsylvania Senate Research Office, collaborating on Senator Art Haywood's Poverty Listening Tour Project, and covering events around the Capitol. He also built predictive models for the 2020 presidential and congressional elections and partnered with the Fair Maps Coalition of Wisconsin to create a podcast series about gerrymandering. Ben is a candidate for the Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Georgetown University.

Ben Wagner

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Associate

Ben Wagner is a communications professional with experience in public affairs, strategic communications, media, and government relations. Ben is a Virginia native and a graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, with a B.A. in Government and History. Prior to joining Rational 360 as an associate, Ben interned for Rational 360 and served both non-profit and healthcare clients. Ben also interned for Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton's (VA-10) in her district office, as well as during her campaign. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new cities and cheering on the Washington Nationals.

Benjamin Ogden-Lord

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Director, Creative

Benjamin Ogden-Lord is a creative professional whose creative work has been photographed with U.S. Presidents, shared by Fortune-500 C.E.O.s, and used for non-profit fundraising, in both digital and print mediums. Benj's experience in design and creative work is grounded in a strong understanding of strategic and written communications, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of traditional and digital media. Benj is a native Washingtonian and a graduate of Grinnell College in Iowa with a B.A. in Political Science. While a student at Grinnell College, he worked for both the Communications and Admissions departments, where he first learned the importance and art of mixing design with substantive messaging. Prior to joining Rational360, Benjamin interned at several government and public relations and consulting firms, including BGR Group and The Asia Group. Most recently, Benj worked at Lot Sixteen, a bipartisan government affairs and public relations firm where he focused on synthesizing design with substantive messaging. When Benj isn't working on design projects for clients, he can be found hiking with his dog, Pearl, woodworking in his studio, or spending time with family in northwest Maine.

Beth Dozier - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:

Senior Counsel

Beth Dozier leads integrated public affairs campaigns that achieve policy results. She works on behalf of Fortune 500 corporations, industry associations, coalitions and nonprofits to elevate issues and influence legislative changes at the state and federal level. With broad expertise ranging from health care and finance to transportation and technology, Beth consistently drives communications efforts around complex issues using a combination of earned media, digital media, advocacy development and mobilization, and more. Prior to joining Rational 360, Beth served as a press secretary to former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Brian Kaminski

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Expert
Managing Director, Co - Founder, Healthcare Practice Chair

Brian Kaminski is an expert at running coordinated communications campaigns and public affairs advocacy aimed at Capitol Hill and state legislatures around the country. Kaminski has led communications campaigns on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, advocacy organizations and industries, including health care, technology, financial services, defense, and higher education. To help his clients achieve their public policy objectives, Kaminski executes comprehensive campaigns that include strategic message development, media outreach, legislative targeting and collateral development, targeted advertising, and grassroots and third party mobilization. As part of the Rational 360 Digital Media Group, Kaminski helps clients integrate social media advocacy into their traditional communications efforts. Kaminski works with organizations to enhance their online presence, to build and tap into existing online advocacy networks, to train membership to effectively use digital tools, and to mobilize networks to help organizations achieve their public affairs goals. Prior to joining Rational 360, Kaminski gained communications experience on Capitol Hill in the Office of Senator Barbara Mikulski, in the Office of the First Lady, and at the Democratic National Committee. He also worked in the private sector for Accenture, Ltd. Brian received his BS from Georgetown University and his JD from the University of Notre Dame.

Brian Sayler

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Director

Before joining Rational 360, Brian served as the Communications Director for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. In that role, Brian oversaw outreach and media relations on policies concerning wildfires, flash floods, border security, cybersecurity, and more. As the state's top emergency management spokesperson, Brian also served as Deputy Director of New Mexico's Joint Information Center for COVID-19, where he helped coordinate public health and vaccine-related messaging across more than 20 state agencies. Previously, Brian helped manage the communications strategy for a 2020 Arizona State Senate campaign. And following a 2019 summer fellowship in the Office of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Brian worked as a part-time advisor to the North Dakota Commerce Commissioner, supporting efforts to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Brian began his career as a market research analyst in New York City. Born and raised in rural Arizona, Brian holds a degree in Economics and History from Tufts University, as well as a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Bryce Ballard

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Director, Social Listening

Bryce has diverse experience working across agencies, in-house teams, and technology vendors to deploy social listening programs and AI-backed measurement frameworks that empower clients to orient themselves in the online ecosystem and extract insights. Bryce is intentional about leading new projects with curiosity by seeking to pioneer novel research methodologies, upskilling analytical rigor of unstructured datasets, and figuring out how digital strategy can play a role in shifting a conversation's narrative. Bryce has additional training and professional experience in content strategy, traditional media relations tactics, field marketing, and event management, all of which he leverages in collaboration with colleagues to provide clients with a holistic perspective and nuanced recommendations. Bryce received a B.A. in Strategic Communications from American University in Washington, D.C. Bryce enjoys chicken nuggets, action movies, and being a dog dad to his Bernedoodle pup.

Caroline Polich

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Associate, Creative

Caroline Polich is a creative professional with experience in digital and print design, social media, and communications. She received her BA in Studio Art with minors in Media & Communications, Spanish, and Art History from Drew University. Coming to Rational 360 with a background in design and communications at art organizations, Caroline previously worked at Second Street Gallery and interned at The Phillips Collection.

Cassie Rudolph

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Lead Senior Strategist, Digital

Cassie Rudolph is a digital marketing professional with experience in strategic digital communications, social media, and grassroots advocacy. She has worked with political candidates, non-profit organizations, and members of public office. Prior to joining Rational 360, Cassie worked in digital marketing at LPS Campaigns and Mothership Strategies, where she was responsible for digital marketing and social media management. Cassie also gained experience in both digital and traditional media spaces in multiple internships on Capitol Hill, for both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Cassie is a graduate of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, where she majored in Political Communication.

Cassie Scher - VP

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Vice President
Media and Communications Expert

Cassie Scher is a media and communications expert with extensive experience in implementing earned and digital media strategies, and translating complex policy and hot-topic issues to diverse audiences through expertly designed and executed strategic communications plans. With vast experience in healthcare, immigration, tech, energy and transportation, she has provided counsel to top-tier Fortune 100 brands, and worked regularly with national media outlets, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, FOX News, CNN, MSNBC, USA Today, and Washington Post, to translate policy issues and tell the stories of her clients. Prior to joining Rational 360, she led a communications team at Nahigian Strategies, a boutique public relations firm, where she worked to develop the branding and launch behind the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services MyHealthEData initiative. She has also worked in coordination with the White House and other government agencies, including Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well a variety of corporations and associations on national public relations campaigns and large scale earned media events, including press conferences, policy rollouts, and satellite media tours. She previously worked as an on-the-record spokesperson for an immigration policy organization, and also worked in the communications departments for both the Republican National Committee and the College Republican National Committee, designing public relations campaigns and ads to promote conservative candidates. Cassie is a member of Washington Women in PR, an America's Future Foundation Writing Scholar, active in her local Zeta Tau Alpha alumni chapter, and previously served as volunteer faculty for the Leadership Institute. She graduated from Arkansas Tech University and holds degrees in History, Political Science, and Education.

Catherine Napoli

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Director, Digital Advertising

Catherine is a growth marketer with experience managing budgets while leading, advising, and launching growth campaigns ranging from various VC-backed startups to Fortune 500 brands such as Houzz, WeWork, P&G, IAC & Match Group, Proximo Spirits, Amyris, and Mondelez/Nabisco. She has worked as a strategist to develop and launch successful paid media and influencer marketing campaigns, as well as help build and restore brands. As a Tampa Bay resident, Catherine is passionate about giving back to her local community and has worked closely with the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL, and Big Brother Big Sisters of the Suncoast. She has received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Pre-Law, and Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Miami.

Charles Yarborough

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Associate
Senior Associate, Writing and Analysis

Charles Yarborough serves as a Senior Associate, Writing and Analysis, at Rational 360. Prior to this role, he interned at the Office of Majority Leader Hoyer, drafting official constituent correspondence and supporting the cases of Maryland residents. He also worked as a Research Clerk at a major government relations firm, focusing on energy, technology, foreign affairs, and other issues, for national and international clients. He did research and media monitoring for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and trained staff for a successful Congressional race in the field. Charles graduated with B.A. in Political Science from The University of Chicago, and M.A. degree magna cum laude from The Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Program in Government. His master degree thesis received the Annual Award for Best Thesis on Government and Technology. Charles is a resident of Bethesda, Maryland. He enjoys bicycling, reading history, and watching movies.

Chloe Goldberg

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Digital Associate

Chloe Goldberg is a communications professional with experience in news and social media and digital analytics. Prior to joining Rational, Chloe graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor's degree in journalism and government & politics. While at Maryland, she produced video content for Voice of America's Media Lab, and helped lead audience engagement strategy for Capital News Service, an award-winning news wire service run through the university. Additionally, she interned for Rational's digital team, assisting with social listening and non-profit campaign efforts.

Chloe Thornhill - CFO

Job Titles:

Chief Financial Officer
Member of the Leadership Team

Chloe is the Chief Financial Officer at Rational 360 where she leads financial operations and strategy across the firm. She is a financial and operations professional with expertise in developing and implementing strategic objectives, building strong teams, improving processes, and optimizing FP&A for better results. Prior to joining Rational 360, Chloe led Finance & Operations and served as the Treasurer of the Board at Metabiota, a VC-funded SaaS and Analytics company based out of San Francisco with international operations. While at Metabiota, she supported fundraising activities that led to bringing in external financing as well as several M&A transactions. Before entering tech, Chloe worked at several other companies and organizations in various industries, including, consulting, science & engineering, accounting advisory, and non-profit. Chloe has called the Washington, D.C. area home for over 20 years. She earned an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and a BA in Economics and International Politics from George Mason University.

Chris Golden

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Vice President, Digital

Chris Golden is a digital communications professional with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of politics, advocacy, and engagement. He has led digital mobilization, paid media, and influencer campaigns for some of the largest public policy challenges at both the federal and state levels. Most recently, Chris was Director, Digital Grassroots Mobilization on the government affairs and communications team at Crypto.com where he was responsible for designing a program to convert the company's app users into policy advocates. Previously, he was Director of Paid Media and Rapid Response for the bipartisan political advocacy organization FWD.us, working in both San Francisco and Washington, D.C. In this role, he helped to lead the organization's campaigns for immigration and criminal justice reform at the federal and state levels with a particular focus on coordinating digital communications in a rapid response environment and leading paid media programs to mobilize grassroots audiences and influence policymakers. Chris has also worked for the political organization NextGen Climate in San Francisco and for the political strategist Joe Trippi in DC. He is a 2010 graduate of the American University School of Public Affairs and a native of Coventry, Connecticut.

Christine Koronides - Managing Director

Job Titles:

Managing Director
Member of the Leadership Team
Policy and Communications Expert

Christine Koronides is a policy and communications expert with years of political experience and a track record of gaining outsized influence for her clients and campaigns. Throughout her career, she has successfully developed and secured legislation, influenced regulations, developed new programs, and secured financing through building relationships, developing strategic partnerships, and bringing public attention to issues. Christine recently served as Director of Federal Affairs for the City of Chicago Mayor's Office, where she helped secure funding for infrastructure, manufacturing and workforce projects. She promoted the City's priorities with Congress, leading to new legislation, and worked within the administration to develop new programs and initiatives that helped advance the City's work. Christine spent four years in the Obama Administration, both directly in the White House, as Gene Sperling's Chief of Staff and as a Senior Advisor for Small Business Policy to the at the National Economic Council, and as a Policy Advisor at the US Small Business Administration. From the earliest days of the Administration, Christine led economic recovery policy initiatives for the small business sector, from capital formation to tax breaks to contracting to training and counseling programs. Earlier in her career, Christine led the Environmental Entrepreneurs program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, changing the national conversation around the environment and the economy through engaging the business community to advocate for national and state-based policies that encouraged both economic growth and environmental protection. Christine started her career with the TCC Group as a strategy consultant to nonprofits, foundations and corporate community involvement programs. Christine is a graduate of Smith College where she majored in Government and Greek, and received her Master's degree from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California Berkeley, where her work focused on policies and tax incentives that support innovation.

Collin Berglund

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Managing Director, Digital Practice Chair

Collin Berglund works at the intersection of communications, marketing and digital strategy for Rational 360, finding new ways for clients to get measurable change-driving results. Prior to joining Rational 360, he conceived and implemented digital strategies for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, sports organizations, infrastructure projects, and crisis clients as a senior digital strategist at Burson-Marsteller. In 2014, Collin worked for then-Treasurer Gina Raimondo as her digital director and press secretary during her winning campaign for governor, where he led the campaign's content strategy, online advertising and award-winning online fundraising program, among other responsibilities. Prior to entering politics, Collin worked in journalism, writing for Inside Mortgage Finance, a group of trade publications covering the mortgage industry, and the wire organization Capital News Service, where his stories ran in publications including The Detroit Free-Press and The Seattle Times. Collin is a Rhode Island native and earned his undergraduate degree in journalism and government & politics from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

David Burrell

Job Titles:

Research Counsel

David and his wife Monica live in Atlanta. They have 3 boys- Shepherd, Bear, and Owen.

Elena Bohm

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Strategist, Digital

Elena is a communications professional and brings over 5 years of digital and traditional media experience to Rational 360. Prior to joining Rational, Elena was the Deputy Digital Director for New York Governor Kathy Hochul's campaign. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics.

Emily Daly

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Digital Fellow at Rational 360

Emily Daly is a Digital Fellow at Rational 360, where she works on digital campaigns for a diverse range of public affairs and corporate clients. Emily graduated from Clemson University with a BA in Political Science, and a minor in Business Administration. She spent part of her sophomore year studying ethnic conflict in the Western Balkans, and continued that research and work through the rest of her college career. Emily has previous political experience and spent two summers during undergrad interning on Capitol Hill. She spent most of her time working with international policy and foreign affairs, as well as specific constituent concerns.

Emily Yankana

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Digital Strategist
Senior Strategist, Digital

Emily Yankana is a Senior Digital Strategist with a passion for social media strategy, digital communications, and advocacy. She is also passionate about elevating underrepresented voices. Emily graduated from American University in 2019 with her B.A. in public relations/strategic communication and is pursuing a master's degree in public policy. Before joining the Rational 360 team, Emily executed social media strategy for Riester Public Affairs and Carahsoft Technology Corporation.

Erika Zois - COO

Job Titles:

Chief Operating Officer
Member of the Leadership Team
Strategic Operations Advisor

Erika is a strategic operations advisor and brings over 10 years of people, communications, primary research, and events experience to Rational 360. Prior to joining Rational, Erika was the Chief of Staff to the Global Insight Practice at Brunswick Group, a critical issues advisory firm. She graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a BA in Public Communication and minor in Marketing.

Gina Raimondo - Treasurer

Job Titles:

Treasurer

Grace Crozier

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Associate

Grace Crozier is a communications professional with experience in digital marketing, media relations, political communications, and grassroots campaigns. Grace earned her B.A. from Georgetown University, where she double majored in Government and Theater & Performance Studies and minored in Disability Studies. She served as the Press Intern for Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-3) and has lent her skills to local campaigns in her home state of Massachusetts. At Georgetown, Grace worked in student government with a focus on accessibility policy and was heavily involved with Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society as Executive Producer.

Greg Vives

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Digital Strategist at Rational 360
Senior Strategist, Digital

Greg is a Senior Digital Strategist at Rational 360. He has a background in public policy, marketing, and digital advertising and strategy. Prior to joining Rational 360, Greg worked at a local rideshare start-up called Empower, a new driver-focused competitor to Uber and Lyft. At Empower, he acted as the sole digital marketing expert, as well as the social media manager. Prior to working at Empower, Greg worked for the U.S Small Business Administration as a Loan Specialist, where he administered financial aid to small businesses, ranging from independent stores and pharmacies to farmers and even video game developers. Greg earned his Master's in Marketing from American University in 2020 and earned his Bachelor's in Political Science the year prior, also from American University. During his undergraduate career, Greg was an Assistant Program Officer at the Center for a Free Cuba, as well as a Marketing Partnerships Intern at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Haley Beckel

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Strategist, Digital

Haley Beckel is a digital communications professional with experience in video editing, graphic design, social media marketing. Haley is a South Carolina native and College of Charleston summa cum laude graduate with B.A. in Communication and Film Studies. Prior to joining Rational 360, Haley worked as a freelance video editor and video production intern for the political advocacy agency, Red Edge, where she served a variety of different clients including political candidates and non-profit organizations. Outside of work, she can usually be found cooking, writing, painting, and adding to her impressive four-leaf clover collection.

Hannah C. Amoah - Chief Legal Officer

Job Titles:

General Counsel
Member of the Leadership Team
Rational 360 General Counsel

Hannah C. Amoah serves as the Rational 360 General Counsel, advising senior management on legal and human resources matters. She is a well-regarded employment law authority with more than 20 years of deep and diverse experience in law and business matters. Hannah has trained countless employees, authored articles, and lectured extensively on labor and employment law and diversity matters. Her private practice experience began with a prominent Madison Avenue firm. Hannah is a graduate of Fordham Law School (JD/MBA) and Tufts University. Hannah is proud to be a member of the Board of Directors for Bridgewell. With an annual budget of over $70 million, Bridgewell provides its clients with autism training programs and family support, drug and alcohol recovery services, disability support and services, professional development services, immigration support services, and community development services.

Hannah Gillis

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Associate
Public Affairs Specialist

Hannah Gillis is an experienced public affairs specialist who works as a Senior Associate at Rational 360. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies. Prior to joining the Rational 360 team, Hannah worked on various political campaigns up and down the East coast. She interned with a voting rights organization in her home state of New Hampshire for the 2018 midterm election. Hannah also interned at Clutch, a DC-based startup, as a content writer. Her professional experience after university includes leading robust canvassing campaigns for Family Friendly Maine and BlackPAC during the 2020 election and acting as Regional Field Director for a DC-based small business coalition. In her free time, Hannah enjoys finding new restaurants to try in DC and exploring her passion for literature.

Hina Razzaq

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Digital Marketing Specialist
Vice President, Digital

Hina is a digital marketing specialist with a passion for growing action-driven campaigns through digital tools. Before joining Rational 360, Hina worked as a Senior Digital Strategist at Revolution Messaging, balancing creative marketing with data that drives results for her clients. During this time Hina led projects for her various non-profit clients that were awarded multiple Pollie and Reed awards. Prior to that, she served as the Digital Lead in Wisconsin for the 2016 Presidential Election, where she utilized digital platforms to boost traditional canvassing methods, resulting in a double-digit increase in volunteer recruitment. Hina is a proud Spartan and holds a degree in Political Science from Michigan State University. She enjoys college sports, cooking and traveling. She is fluent in four languages and hopes to learn at least two more in her lifetime.

Ilyse Veron - SVP

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Vice President

Ilyse Veron is an Emmy award-winning press corps veteran with expertise shaping successful policy campaigns, integrated digital marketing strategies, stakeholder engagement efforts, and valuable content partnerships. Working with changemakers, companies and coalitions, Ilyse is known for helping people raise their voices about what matters, especially on the most personal issue of all: healthcare. She comes to Rational 360 after directing public relations for a company that received FDA breakthrough status for its novel AI-powered software as a medical device. As a NewsHour producer, CQ reporter, columnist, podcast anchor, and an editorial consultant, Ilyse has shaped narratives about what happens where business, government, media, and politics meet. Her impact stories raise awareness about life-saving leadership, patient needs, the nexus of sustainability and public health, and systemic reform. Ilyse's byline has run in media such as Medscape, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, FoxNews, WIRED, and in film credits. Her SAGE Publishing video and text case studies are used to teach business, entrepreneurship, brand marketing, customer service, and cultural awareness in the US and nearly 20 countries worldwide. Ilyse earned a BA from Yale and a masters from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, where she did a global residence in Cape Town, South Africa applying human-centered design thinking.

Jay Hauck - Managing Director

Job Titles:

Managing Director
Member of the Leadership Team

Jay has led issue-based campaigns as well as corporate communications and marketing initiatives for some of the leading companies in cybersecurity, defense & aerospace, energy, government contracting, telecom and technology. Formerly head of marketing and communication for CSRA, a $5 billion publicly-traded federal IT contractor, Jay developed a strategic branding and messaging campaign that leveraged paid, earned and owned media (including production of two Super Bowl ads). In that role, Jay developed and implemented creative account-based marketing strategies for CSRA's billion-dollar-plus opportunities, as well as thought-leadership campaigns around cyber, cloud, data analytics, and other areas of technical expertise. The resulting industry buzz around CSRA helped lead to a three-way bidding war for the company and its ultimate acquisition by General Dynamics in 2018 for $10 billion. Post-merger at GDIT, Jay launched strategic initiatives to refresh GDIT's overall brand as well as to create a discrete communications and marketing campaign to recruit tech talent. Prior to those corporate roles, Jay led issue campaigns at public affairs firms around telecom and spectrum for AT&T, as well as for clients in the energy and financial sectors. Jay also has over a decade of experience in working with trade associations and professional societies. Jay graduated from law school at Catholic University and has an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University. Jay's work has won numerous awards, including PR News Platinum Finalist, Communicator Award of Distinction, a Sabre, and two Telly awards.

Jay Wilson

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Senior Director
Senior Director, Digital

Jay Wilson is a Senior Director on the Digital team at Rational 360, where he leads digital campaigns for a diverse range of political and corporate clients. Before joining Rational 360, he led campaigns for Governor and U.S. Senate, and served as Statewide Director of the Republican redistricting organization in Arizona. As a result of the organization's hard work, the redistricting commission drew fair districts where the GOP won 6 of 9 Congressional seats - a gain of 2 seats - and secured majorities in the state legislature. Prior to that, he worked for Lincoln Strategy Group as a Digital Strategist where he ran fully integrated digital campaigns for high-ranking political candidates and major trade organizations. In 2016, Jay served as Director of Social Media for Governor Gary Johnson and Governor Bill Weld's presidential campaign. Jay is a California native and earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management from California State University, Long Beach in 2014.

Jim Billimoria - VP

Job Titles:

Member of the Leadership Team
Vice President
Communications Executive

Jim is a seasoned communications executive who advances the mission, vision, values, and messaging of global organizations. By integrating PR, media relations, and marketing efforts into cohesive communications programs to shape brand narratives and inform press coverage. Most recently he was a Director of Business-to-Business Communications at American Express where he worked closely with senior executives on several new product launches. Billimoria has a combination of public and private sector experience. Prior to joining American Express, he was the Associate Administrator for the Office Communications and Public Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Here he led the SBA's public response to the COVID-19 pandemic via the Paycheck Protection Program that provided small businesses with hundreds of millions of dollars of economic aid. In addition, he worked for Amazon where he drove PR efforts for the company's transportation delivery programs. Before joining Amazon, Billimoria served as Communications Director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure where he used traditional, digital, and social media to rebrand the Committee and Chairman to show both as thought leaders on transportation technology and innovation policy. Other positions held on Capitol Hill included serving as Communications Director on the House Ways and Means Committee with time spent working in House Republican leadership. Billimoria earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master's degree in media and public relations from Johns Hopkins University.