The Turner Strategies team combines decades of experience from the core fields essential to shaping public opinion: media relations, online communication, including social media, and political strategy. The result is an approach to communications that effectively navigates the complex avenues between on- and off-line media and digital and real-world communities.
Suzanne Turner, President
The National Journal called Suzanne "the best communicator in America." Her communications campaigns have helped pass more than 40 pieces of legislation. She has worked for Fortune 500 companies, devising branding and marketing campaigns that have moved millions of dollars worth of products. As senior vice president at Fenton Communications for seven years, Suzanne helped grow the firm from four people to more than 100 in three cities. She was Mid-Atlantic regional manager of the high-tech PR firm The Launch Company, where she built the client base and managed a half-million dollars in client billings monthly. She is co-founder of the Internet Advocacy Center and a founding member of Progressive Communicators of DC. She has also worked as a newspaper and television reporter. She studied at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies and the Université de Paris IV - La Sorbonne, and holds a BA from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.
Pamela Avery, Principal
Pamela, who also is the director of Turner Strategies' Western Office, has created and implemented comprehensive communications strategies for organizations ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to healthcare, environmental, education and other non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Turner Strategies, she was partner in charge/PR at Bozell for four years and owned and operated a marketing communications firm in Denver, Colo., for 13 years. A specialist in crisis and contingency communications, Pamela currently serves as a primary spokesperson/media trainer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A journalist for nearly two decades, she was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor at major dailies in Arizona and Denver, Colo., including working as science writer of the Tucson Daily Citizen, and medical writer of Denver’s Rocky Mountain News. She was the founding editor of a national magazine for cancer patients and their families and a sister oncology publication; and executive producer of EarthWire, a nationally syndicated environmental radio program. Pamela also served as the founding deputy director of the Colorado Governor’s Office of Rural Health, which became a national model. She is a certified public participation facilitator who frequently facilities meetings involving complex environmental and social justice issues.
Jackie Fishman, APR, Senior Associate
A seasoned communicator with nearly two decades of health care expertise, Jackie has been at the front lines of hospital and HMO public relations, marketing and brand development, and has guided discourse on health policy for a major health insurer’s trade association. At Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD, she began her health care practice as public relations manager, building strong, responsive relationships with the news media, internal clients and principals of third-party organizations. She managed day-to-day and crisis communications and guided and executed long-term strategic relationships with local news media. In her role as a marketing communications project manager with Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Jackie developed multi-faceted health information campaigns to educate members on benefits and medical services while building relationships between members and their health care delivery teams. As senior consultant/media relations manager for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association from 2001-2010, Jackie provided strategic direction and orchestrated communications programs and media relationships. Her internal clients included the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and the National Anti-fraud Department. In 2001, Jackie received her master’s degree in public communications from American University. She was accredited in public relations (APR) by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2003. Jackie has guest-lectured on health care public relations topics at American University, University of Maryland and Marymount College. In a pro bono capacity, she is working with the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Chapter, the National Council of Jewish Women, and other nonprofits. She is also blogs regularly on charity and style for AskMissA.com
Abigail Collazo, Project Manager
Abigail handles social media outreach, online communications, and progressive advocacy efforts, in addition to serving as the editor for Feminism2.0. She has extensive experience in grassroots organizing, social justice advocacy, and media relations. Beginning in 1999, Abigail served as a Motivational Speaker for Free the Children, delivering presentations to over 8,000 young people about youth empowerment, globalization, international human rights, and child labor. Abigail then worked for 3 years on the staff of Senator Amy Klobuchar, handling a wide range of policy issues including foreign affairs, defense, and global women’s issues. She also served as the Communications Director for the Women’s Congressional Staff Association. Abigail has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Mount Holyoke College. She is a Fellow with the Partnership for a Secure America as well as a Truman National Security Project Congressional Security Scholar. Abigail sings with the St. Thomas Young Adult Choir and is a coxswain for the Rock Creek Rowing Masters Crew Team.
Violet Tsagkas, Project Coordinator
Violet Tsagkas provides clients with project coordination and support. Prior to joining Turner Strategies, she completed an internship at the D.C. office of Gus Bilirakis (FL-9). In her native Greece, Violet served as an account executive with Spin Political & Corporate Communications in Athens. There she managed political communications services and issues management campaigns for a variety of clients. She studied Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Athens and in 2011 received her Master’s Degree from the Graduate School of Political Management, George Washington University.
Jonathan Soohoo, Publicist
Jonathan Soohoo is responsible for building and managing media contact lists, and conducting research for client campaigns and projects. His meticulous research and knowledge of the news media regularly leads to successful story placements in targeted media. In addition, he provides Turner clients with extensive media monitoring that helps clients further leverage their news placements with internal and external audiences. (You might also know Jonathan by his alter-ego, the Royal Executioner, on The Turner Report.) Prior to joining Turner Strategies, Jonathan was an intern on Capitol Hill and a field organizer for the Louisiana coordinated campaign, working to re-elect Senator Mary Landrieu. He has completed internships with Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in Arlington, Va., and with the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights. He holds a B.A. in political science from The George Washington University.
Tia Subramanian, Intern
Tia worked for two years in advertising sales and marketing at Condé Nast Publications, first at The New Yorker and then at Condé Nast Portfolio. More recently, she worked as an assistant editor to help launch the London-based arts and culture website A-LittleBird.com. Tia earned her B.A. in English and Psychology from Amherst College and recently completed a Masters’ in English and Cultural Studies at The University of Virginia.
Of Counsel
Gloria Pan, Internet Communications
Gloria conceived, organized and now administers Turner's pro bono project, Feminism2.0. Previous to joining Turner, she directed communications at The Media Center where, through the strategic use of Internet marketing and outreach, she helped transform a small, newspaper-industry-specific enterprise into an influential, widely recognized media thought leader. Gloria was editor of The Media Center's morph blog and a driving force in its annual We Media conference, a must-attend event for the media vanguard. Before that, she managed communications for the American Press Institute. From 1991 to 2000, she resided in Tokyo, Japan. After completing a masters program in development economics at Sophia University, she became international editor and writer for The Nippon Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in Japan. Gloria holds a BA in political economy from Barnard College and speaks Mandarin, Chinese and some Japanese.
Greg Howard, National Media Relations
Greg Howard has more than 25 years of experience in earned media placement, issues management and strategic communications. Greg has worked on numerous high-profile assignments, from U.S. Supreme Court cases to major health, medical, environmental and social announcements. He consistently exceeds client expectations using his years of experience to answer the key question reporters ask: why should my audience care? Greg has obtained high-profile, high-impact media placements with PBS’s Frontline, ABC World News Tonight, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, CBS Morning News, CBS’s now-defunct 60 Minutes II, CNBC’s Squawk Box and Market Wrap; CNN Prime News, CNN Headline News, C-SPAN, Fox News Channel’s Cavuto Business Report, MSNBC, NBC Nightly News, NBC’s Today Show, PBS’s Nightly Business Report and The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. He has also placed multiple client stories with The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, as well as The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Dallas Morning News, The Denver Post, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Miami Herald, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and The San Francisco Chronicle.
Sascha Burns, Political Strategist
Sascha is a political strategist and news commentator, frequently debating conservative pundits on MSNBC and the Fox News Channel. She delivers analysis on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates, and on international news channels and news radio. She anchored the 2004 Democratic National Convention's online political coverage, conducting primetime, off-the-podium interviews with the keynote speakers. She served on the Advisory Council of Senator John Kerry's Presidential Exploratory Committee, as national advance staff for press operations on the 2000 Gore/Lieberman Campaign, and as a longtime lobbyist at Patton Boggs, the top-ranked public policy firm in the country. Sascha was also on the staff of United States Senator Sam Nunn.
Dominic Frederico, Spokesperson Trainer/Video Production
Dominic is an Emmy-award winning television photojournalist who, as an independent cameraman, regularly works on news stories and documentaries for major network and cable TV programs, including ABC News, Good Morning America, Nightline, NBC Dateline, CBS Early Show, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CNN, National Geographic Today, The Discovery Channel and PBS Health Diary. He covered the Democratic National Convention in Denver for national broadcast outlets, is covering the 2012 Presidential Election and regularly covers breaking stories for ABC and other national TV networks. He was a photojournalist with ABC News affiliate KMGH-TV in Denver for 10 years and Chief Photographer for CBS Affiliate KKTV in Colorado Springs for two. Dominic has been conducting spokesperson training with Pamela Avery for nearly a decade, and also has provided media relations consultation and training for FEMA. Dominic served as Aeromedical Operations Officer with the Medical Service Corps of the Wyoming Air National Guard and was stationed in Iraq. Dominic’s video production company, Appaloosa Productions, Inc., is certified as a Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business.
Ben Carlson, National Marketing Communications and Branding
Ben has a long history of activism and service in LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations, with a focus on marketing and communications. He coordinated media relations for the NAMES Project Foundation when the AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed in its entirety in Washington, DC. He directed public relations for the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Day Parade and Celebration, one of the world’s largest pride parades. He has written columns on HIV/AIDS policy and on media portrayals of LGBT people for the LGBT press. He was associate producer and on-air talent for Hibernia Beach LIVE on the top modern rock radio station in San Francisco, which at the time was the nation’s longest-running gay-hosted radio talk show. Carlson has also served as vice president for communications at two of the world's most innovative biotechnology companies, where he mastered the art of crisis and issues communications. Ben has consulted on digital graphics, branding and Web site development. His "trustmark" for online privacy seal program TRUSTe is among the Web's most familiar symbols. Ben holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Mari Ann Donnelly, Design
Mari Ann has extensive experience creating powerful and appropriate solutions for a wide variety of clients in both small studio environments and at the major global ad agency Ogilvy PR Worldwide. She has a broad background in design, advertising, fine arts, print production and project management. She is featured in GRAPHIS Student Design 96, Creativity 31 and Letterheads Gone Digital by David E. Carter. She is the recipient of numerous design awards, including the Neenah Paper Award and the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington Merit Award.
Lisa Dry
Lisa has more than 25 years of marketing communications and public affairs experience on agricultural issues. She has served as vice president of public affairs for the American Seed Trade Association and as communications director for the National Pork Producers Council, the Animal Health Institute and the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Lisa has strong relationships with key organizations and opinion leaders in the production agriculture and food safety communities. In addition, she has a proven track record in issue and crisis management in multiple high-profile agricultural issues. As spokesperson for various clients, she has participated in numerous national print, radio, and television stories. Lisa graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in communications, and did post-graduate study at New York University. A native of the Missouri Bootheel, she retains an interest in her family's cotton farm.
Hank Isaac
Hank is principal and creative director of Ampheta Creative, a graphic design and marketing communications consulting firm located in the Washington, DC area. His firm, founded in 2000, specializes in creating integrated cross-media marketing communications, including print collateral, print and Web advertising, tradeshow exhibits, interactive media and corporate identity development. The firm has a broad client base, including commercial, government and association accounts. His work has been recognized in Print magazine, and he received an Addy award for pro bono work done for the American Heart Association. Prior to starting Ampheta Creative, he worked as an art director for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, VA, and as creative director for Reston Design Group in Reston, VA. Hank holds a BA in communication arts and design from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Laura Williamson McCafferty
Laura Williamson McCafferty is an award-winning journalist and public relations consultant. She honed her writing skills at several daily newspapers, culminating with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). Over the past 12 years, she has written for a variety of organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Environmental Defense Fund, World Wildlife Fund, American Diabetes Association, Joslin Diabetes Center, Scenic America, Porter Novelli, Scenic Maryland, Environmental Media Services, Science Communication Network, IQ Solutions, American College of Preventive Medicine, Green Seal and others. She has written and placed op-eds and advertorials in major national publications, including USA Today, the Washington Post, TIME, Newsweek, US News & World Report and Good Housekeeping. She has written correspondence signed by President Bill Clinton; speeches for the CEOs of the American Cancer Society and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; talking points for former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop and several Members of Congress. Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Georgetown University (Magna Cum Laude, with a certificate in Honors English), after spending a year abroad studying French literature at the University of Paris/Sorbonne. She also has a master’s in Journalism from the University of Maryland.
Alan Rosenblatt, Ph.D
Alan is a frequent speaker and author on digital media, advocacy and politics, including social networking, blogging, and grassroots and mobile advocacy strategies. He co-founded the Internet Advocacy Center with Suzanne Turner in 2005. He currently is the associate director for online advocacy at the Center for American Progress. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown and American Universities and a blogger at TechPresident.com and DrDigiPol.com. He is a founding team member of Media Bureau Networks (MBN), and a contributing editor to Politics Online. He taught political science at George Mason University for nine years. He also held executive positions in the online advocacy services division at Stateside Associates and e-Advocates (now 720 Strategies). Alan holds a Ph.D. in political science from American University.
Susan Roth
Susan is the winner of the 2002 Best of Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America for the broadcast launch of XM Satellite Radio, and of the 2003 Silver Anvil for the 911 volunteerism initiative, MyGoodDeed. A veteran public relations consultant with over 20 years of experience, she has generated high-profile media coverage for national campaigns, issues and groups that advocate for the environment, hunger relief, ending genocide in Darfur, healthcare, voting rights and disaster relief. Her management positions for media giants, including The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, have given her first-hand knowledge and special insight when developing strategies for successful national print and broadcast coverage. She has established long-standing relationships with key editors, reporters and producers in business, consumer and trade media outlets. Her clients have included Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, United Animal Nations, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN, Feature Story News, the American Red Cross, Symantec, Iomega, E! Entertainment TV, "Entertainment Tonight" and many more. Susan holds a BA in cinema and communications from Hunter College in New York City.
Richard Sheehe
Richard has spent two decades in journalism and public affairs and is principal of the Sheehe Group, offering communications strategy, content and training. With specialties in strategic communications, media training and internal/workforce communications, Richard has served clients in healthcare, non-profit and academic sectors as well as the NIH, CDC, DHS, USDA, NTSB and other government agencies. A former national correspondent and news anchor for the NBC radio network and freelance reporter for The New York Times and the Associated Press, Richard served as assistant vice president for communications at George Washington University and director of strategic communications for the National Academy of Public Administration. He was also an adjunct professor and director of media relations at GW Medical Center, where he supervised the media response to 9/11 and the hospitalizations of anthrax victims and the U.S. vice president. He co-authored an HHS media guide on public health and developed crisis training curricula for the CDC. Richard is a training instructor at EEI Business Communications and president of Capital Area Healthcare Communicators, a professional development affiliate of the American Hospital Association.
Lisa Slifer-Mbacke
Lisa Slifer-Mbacke has over 15 years experience leading complex international technical assistance projects with multiple sub-contractors, field offices, and stakeholders. With regional expertise in Africa, Ms. Slifer-Mbacke began her career in the area of democracy and governance, providing capacity-building to local NGOs on election observation and fielding international election observation teams in the early 1990s. She then worked with communication as a tool for democratic development, exploring digital satellite applications for Internet and radio access in rural Africa. Ms. Slifer-Mbacke moved to Nigeria in 2003 to serve as Chief of Party for a USAID-funded basic education project which used interactive radio instruction to support teacher instruction in math and English. Following her work in Nigeria, Ms. Slifer-Mbacke moved to Ghana and worked as the Senior Capacity-Development Adviser to the West Africa Regional Mission and led the first MCC-funded Threshold Country Program in Burkina Faso, focused on girls’ education. Currently, with MSI, Ms. Slifer-Mbacke serves as the Practice Area Leader for Strategic Management and Performance Improvement (SMPI). She serves as the technical manager of the USAID-funded Africa NGO Sustainability Index and provides technical support to evaluation services, local capacity-building and democracy and governance activities. Ms. Slifer-Mbacke has a M.A. in International Communications from The American University’s School for International Service (SIS) and is fluent in French.
And, last but not least, our favorite rocket scientist...
Ralph Sklarew, Ph.D.
Ralph is a principal at Working Widgets, which develops and implements Web 2.0 strategies to extend brands using portable Web applications called widgets. His widgets have been used by top musicians to empower their fans to track performances and virally build their communities. He is now working to bring this same model to impassioned affinity groups in the nonprofit world. He is known as an entrepreneur and technologist, having founded three companies and been awarded a dozen patents. He programs in Flash and Flex to make rich, interactive Web applications. He has published and spoken on many diverse fields, from environmental science to space industrialization to working in virtual worlds. He was awarded a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California.
