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Team Soapbox Team Members
Team Soapbox Bullpen
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Team Members
Janda Black You could say that Janda invented public relations—at the very least, she created a curriculum for PR at Western Washington University because she wanted to major in the subject. A dynamic innovator, she has spent the past 15 years practicing public relations and marketing communications at the local, national and international levels for issue-based projects and clients. Her expertise in delivering coveted national media placements, managing international media efforts and winning over influencers has earned her industry accolades. She has provided strategic counsel to online companies, education associations and public health organizations including: PATH, The Washington State Department of Health/Hanford, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation; and humanitarian organizations such as CARE and Mercy Corps. Janda has cultivated a broad range of high level media contacts and has a long history of placements in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The L.A. Times, and on ABC, CNN and NBC, as well as in local media from the Seattle Times to the Post-Intelligencer, KUOW, KOMO and KING. Janda's passion for engaging journalists in issues and causes has led her to take reporters to the jungles of Central America for a micro-credit organization, to the deserts of Mongolia for the International Snow Leopard Trust, to rural villages in Ethiopia and India for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation's population program. At home Janda enjoys time with her husband, Brent, toddler, Chase and Bart – the affable Pug. She’s currently at work on a way to make scheduling everyday life as effortless as wielding her Tivo remote, which she does with consummate skill.
Christine Stepherson Christine has nearly 20 years experience in communications, media relations, marketing, community involvement and public information campaigns. She comes from an agency background, having worked in two Seattle public relations/public affairs firms for ten years before co-founding Team Soapbox. Christine has designed and implemented communication strategies for numerous corporations, small businesses, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. She has spent the last decade raising awareness for issues that span economic development, low-income housing, health care reform, education, social justice, wellness and more. Her expertise is in working with media and community leaders, developing messaging to help people understand issues, and even ghost writing for mayors, major CEOs and other thought leaders. She loves the city and working with organizations that are making Seattle and the world a place where she loves to live. She has a passion for the outdoors and spends most of her time outside of the office finding new running trails, swimming in Lake Washington or exploring the mountains with her husband, son and daughter on snowboard or on foot. She is thankful for the occasional rainy Seattle day to hole up with a book either by herself or with the many fabulous children’s books available at the Seattle Public Library.
Leigh Sims Leigh has 13 years experience with non-profits, small businesses, and artists in communications, media relations, and fundraising. She has worked on issue-based media and policy campaigns throughout the Northwest, developing teams of diverse supporters and spokespeople to get those messages out. Leigh works closely with clients on health care, education and other issues, securing media attention in regional print and broadcast media, authoring op-eds and articles, and providing strategic counsel. For six years, Leigh earned media coverage to help build community support for change at Sightline Institute, a think tank on sustainability issues. There, she crafted messages for projects from encouraging health through walkable neighborhoods to a state-wide ban on a toxic chemical. Leigh previously worked on a multi-million dollar capital campaign for public television, where she also had the privilege of producing events with the Cookie Monster. Involvement in the local music scene led Leigh to the board of The Vera Project, a music venue run by youth, and to co-own a music and event production business. When she’s not at a show, Leigh lives with her husband and two unbelievably loud cats in a very walkable neighborhood.
Nick Hawley Nick brings his public relations and marketing skills to Team Soapbox all the way from Wisconsin. Nick began his career there after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As the publicity and promotions specialist for Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts, Nick crafted news releases, media kits, and pitches. His work built excitement in the local media and the community at large about shows from Broadway, children’s productions, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. His marketing skills were further honed at Voltedge, Inc., a communications firm specializing in Economic Development Marketing. He advised and taught cities how to structure their websites to better market themselves to garner business attraction, and ultimately, grow their communities. While at Team Soapbox Nick has jumped into creative strategies for Insight Schools, SDOT’s pedestrian safety campaign, the Art Walk in the International District and many other clients. Travel and studies abroad is where Nick developed a passion for other cultures and issues-advocacy. Trips to South America and Africa to visit his siblings in the Peace Corps, prompted his family to organize clothing drives and raise funds for education in each village. After college, he volunteered abroad, teaching English at both primary and secondary schools in the impoverished region of Isaan in Thailand. Relatively new to Seattle, Nick enjoys the great running trails, reading and NOT having to shovel snow!
Mary Leake Schilder In her varied roles as a communication professional for the last 11 years, Mary has worked on many different projects, mostly for non-profits: producing annual reports, pitching stories to traditional and new media, shaping organizational messages for a variety of audiences from donors to elected officials, and even writing a newspaper column. In every case her goal has been to inspire people to get connected with the issues and organizations that better our community and help its members thrive. Before coming to Team Soapbox, Mary was with PAWS, a Northwest animal organization that shelters homeless pets and rehabilitates injured/orphaned wildlife while working to create change through education and outreach. During her tenure she led PAWS through a rebranding effort that included the overhaul of the paws.org website, the launch of a new blog, and a revamped social media program. In addition, she served as the editor of PAWS Magazine and oversaw media relations. In 2010, Mary completed a program for public relations professionals at the University of Washington to enhance her skills. After that she came to Team Soapbox where she is working with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, the Edge Foundation, Insight Schools, Community Health Network of Washington, and other clients. Mary is keen on volunteering as a way to stay connected to her community. Over the years she has coached Special Olympic athletes, worked for smiles at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and smoothed out trails with the Washington Trails Association. Mary lives with her husband and a fantastic dog they adopted from a local shelter. The three get outside as often as possible, rain or shine. Bullpen
Susan Ward With more than 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations, Susan brings a range of expertise, from crisis communications and community affairs to corporate positioning and issues management. With a specialty in media relations, she has taught media relations courses at the University of Washington and has placed stories internationally and in all the major US media. Susan spent more than four years at Soapbox working to raise the profiles of a variety of Seattle-based nonprofits, including global health organization PATH and the Social Justice Fund. When the Women’s Funding Alliance prepared to release its landmark study on the status of women and girls in the Puget Sound region in 2007, Susan led the team’s messaging and positioning efforts. Susan also worked to further the Community Health Network of Washington’s legislative agenda throughout her tenure at Soapbox, and was part of the team that has helped to make considerable advances in the realm of health care for children and adults throughout Washington State. Before joining Soapbox, Susan spent 10 years at DDB Seattle, ultimately as a vice president of the agency’s issues and advocacy practice. There she managed a client portfolio that included start-ups, multi-billion dollar corporations and foundations. Susan was an account manager and then client services director at The McConnell Company for six years, before the company was acquired by DDB. She began her career in Denver, where she earned a B.S. in marketing and advertising from the University of Denver. Susan believes that all our problems can be traced to our families, so she recently completed her Master’s in Psychology at Antioch University, focusing on child, couple and family therapy. When she asks you about your parents, you’ll know why. You can find her counseling at Atlantic Street Center, relaxing at her Ballard cocktail lounge, the BalMar, or cozying in with her husband and son.
Josh Stepherson Josh Stepherson is the founder and principal of Stepherson & Associates Public Affairs, which was formed in 2006 to assist organizations in working with the public and local government. Josh has over 12 years of experience working with organizations to engage communities, key stakeholder groups and policy makers around high-profile and often controversial issues/projects. Over the years, Josh has built a solid reputation as a strategic and creative thinker who is able to effectively work with diverse constituent groups to identify problems, develop solutions and gain the needed support to successfully meet critical project milestones and advance organizational goals. Professionally, Josh has coordinated communication and public engagement efforts for elected officials, governmental agencies, campaigns, nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses. Additionally, he has spent much of his career working on some of the region's most high-profile transportation projects. These include the $1.7 billion Seattle Monorail Project, $544 million Bridging the Gap Initiative and $52 million South Lake Union Line of the new Seattle Streetcar. Josh is a graduate of Washington State University. Go Cougs!
Kristin Adams Litke Kristin has six years of experience in graphic design, communications, marketing and fundraising. Before starting her own design firm, she worked as the in-house designer at Plymouth Housing Group as Communications Manager. She is passionate about helping to raise awareness for nonprofits through her branding work and creation of print and web-based marketing pieces. Kristin also works with a variety of business clients ranging from restaurants to large corporations. Whether her client is an established organization or a budding twinkle in its owner's eye, Kristin brings creative innovation to help mold the face of a brand and make it shine. Soapbox and Adams Litke Design Co. have previously worked together on a number of projects for nonprofit clients, including work for Plymouth Housing Group and the Fremont Public Association, and share an understanding of their needs and audiences. A transplant from the Boston area, Kristin graduated from the University of Virginia.
Lola Our office greeter and mascot, Lola, can usually be found lounging in the window seat of Team Soapbox. Check out her Facebook page to see what she is up to: www.facebook.com/lolachow.
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Team Soapbox
206.528.2550 Phone
206.625.0109 Fax
janda@teamsoapbox.com
christine@teamsoapbox.com