COGENT STRATEGIES - Key Persons
Expertise:
Foreign Affairs
Tax
Energy and the Environment
Congressional Leadership
Democratic Strategy
Managing Director Andrew Kauders breaks down how Democrats are approaching-and constantly revising-their legislative priorities.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Digital and Research
Expertise:
Digital Strategy
Data and Analytics
Research and Polling
Job Titles:
- Senior Adviser
- Senior Advisor
- Strategic Advisor
Expertise:
Technology
Energy and Environment
Intellectual Property
Job Titles:
- Cogent 's Finance Director
Candice Hafield, Cogent's finance director, oversees the firm's human resources and financial operations including budgeting and financial reporting, strategic planning, payroll, accounts payable and receivable and billing. Candice assists Cogent clients with comprehensive reporting, billing, contracts and other administrative functions.
Expertise:
Financial Management
Human Resources
Accounting
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the D.C. Bar Association
Expertise:
Mergers and Antitrust
Intellectual Property
Media
Technology and Telecommunications
Democratic Strategy
Congressional Leadership
Claudia is a member of the D.C. Bar Association and the Christ Child Society. An explorer at heart, Claudia enjoys traveling. Her favorite destinations include New England and Europe.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Strategic Advisor
Expertise
Foreign Affairs
National Security
State Department
Congressional Leadership
Democratic Strategy
Expertise:
Communications
Media Relations
Edda joined Cogent from the Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives, where she directed communications, government affairs strategy and partnership development. Prior to that, she was the head of partnerships at the CSpence Group where she was responsible for strategic outreach, stakeholder engagement, philanthropic initiatives and executing cultural programs for a Midwestern health care system and an East Coast member organization.
An award-winning strategist, Edda has been recognized by ESSENCE Magazine on their list of 2018 100 Woke Women. She received the 2016 BMW and MADE Magazine Pay it 4Ward Award, is a 2014 Northern Virginia Alumni of Hampton University 35 for 35 Award recipient, a 2014 RollingOut Magazine's Female Success Factor, a 2014 Hello Beautiful 25 Women to Know: Crusaders in Healthcare honoree, and received the Women in Government Relations 2014 and 2013 Co-Chair Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership. Her work and insights on gender equity, social justice and women in politics have been featured in Forbes, NPR, Refinery29, OZY, The Hill and The DailyWorth.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Senior Advisor
- Strategic Advisor
Kaitlin Tunstall supports Cogent's digital and government relations teams, conducting in-depth research and policy analysis for clients to stay informed on the latest legislative and social media activity.
Kaitlin joined Cogent in January 2023 after completing her master's degree in public policy. Previously, Kaitlin worked at With Honor Action and participated in political and advocacy efforts with veterans across the country. Throughout this experience, Kaitlin worked closely with the For Country Caucus, providing representatives and political candidates with data-driven strategy relevant to national security and regulatory policy. Additionally, Kaitlin gained valuable campaign experience working with Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Lindsey Boylan, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
An active advocate for her New York community, Kaitlin is originally from Houston. Outside of the office she enjoys swimming, traveling, Pilates, and exploring new beaches.
Expertise:
Digital Media
Communication Strategy
Risk Management and Analysis
Social Listening
Comprehensive Communication Planning
Katie Sansone is an accomplished communications professional who has worked for major corporations, high-profile members of Congress and award-winning startups. Currently Vice President at Cogent Strategies, Katie specializes in strategic communications. Prior to joining the team, she spent four years at S&P Global leading their policy communications and outreach. Katie advised Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) and former Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), guiding them through hundreds of interviews including the TODAY Show, Meet the Press and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Her versatile skillset, fluency in social media strategy and ability to effectively leverage media channels helps Cogent deliver results for clients.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Cogent 's CEO
- Cogent CEO
- Founder and CEO of Cogent
- Senior Strategist and Advisor to Florida 's Governor Jeb Bush
Kimberley Fritts, is the founder and CEO of Cogent, a certified woman-owned, bi-partisan government relations and strategic communications firm in Washington, D.C.
A veteran Republican political operative, Kimberley has served as a senior strategist and advisor to Florida's Governor Jeb Bush and Senator Connie Mack and as the Southeastern Political Director for the Republican National Committee. With more than two decades of successfully shaping political campaigns and public policy narratives, she has consistently been named to The Hill's "Hired Guns" list of top Washington lobbyists.
Kimberley channels her sixth sense for policy, politics and personalities to develop creative solutions for political engagement that stay ahead of the trend lines in Washington. For Kimberley, success is always about the right blend of people, creativity, and talent integration. Always applying a "hands on," "no-stone-unturned" approach to executing client projects, she runs Cogent Strategies the same way, ensuring that Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, global corporations, non-profits and trade associations alike receive the high-level, personal attention and insightful strategic guidance that will position them for success. Her business acumen has earned her a place on the Washington Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business" list.
Kimberley, a native Mississippian, earned her bachelor's degree from George Washington University. She has served as a gubernatorial appointee of the Board of Trustees for Florida House, and as a board member for St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School and the Prevent Cancer Foundation. She currently serves on the board of the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy, a groundbreaking program at the University of Mississippi that provides scholarships and counsel for students destined to be leaders.
Expertise:
Strategic Communications
Media Relations
Message and Content Development
A performer at heart, Missi is a former board member of Hexagon, Inc., Washington, D.C.'s only original political satirical musical comedy revue. She writes and performs frequently with The British Players, which is dedicated to preserving such unique British theater traditions as panto and Victorian music hall.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Cogent Managing Director
Cogent Managing Director Randall Gerard discusses tech companies spending on the 2020 election with The Hill
Expertise:
International Relations and Diplomatic Community
Appropriations Legislation and Policy
Republican Political Strategy
In addition to her international portfolio, Shellie is an expert in the congressional appropriations process. She keenly navigates domestic federal funding legislation for local governments, trade associations and private sector clients with policy interests in education, transportation, infrastructure, national security and international affairs. Shellie has an astute ability to dig deep into appropriations policy and pinpoint creative opportunities for clients while working hand-in-hand with close contacts on Capitol Hill and administration officials.
When Shellie is not engrossed in US policy and politics, she is on an international flight to further enrich her love of travel writing and photography. Her sense of adventure was instilled at a young age as Shellie aspired to be an archeologist and dreamed of dangerous pursuits around the world to find ancient relics.
Expertise:
Strategic Communications
Media Relations
Message Development
Content Development
Agriculture, Environment, and Energy Issues
Taylor McCarty Hoover brings nearly a decade of communications experience to Cogent Strategies, most recently serving as communications director for the House Committee on Agriculture, where she defined the chairman's, committee's, and Republican Conference's messaging strategy on the farm economy, climate, conservation, the Farm Bill, and more. Prior to her time on Committee, Taylor served as the Communications Director for Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), where she directed a targeted messaging strategy to reach all corners of the Commonwealth's geographically largest district. She has also written more than 150 speeches delivered on the House floor.
Before Capitol Hill, Taylor served as a communications strategist for DDC Public Affairs, servicing a number of Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and corporate political action committees.
Taylor is a rabid fan of all things Penn State, where she received her bachelor's degree in international politics before pursuing her master's degree in political management at The George Washington University.
She lives in Alexandria with her husband, Logan, and they enjoy a lot of time in Old Town, while their Treeing Walker Coonhound, Chewy, enjoys a lot of time on the couch. Taylor reads murder mysteries, pours the perfect pint of Guinness, and travels anywhere there's a view of the water and good food.
Job Titles:
- President Lives on Twitter. so Should Ambassadors.