Vice President, Research, Global Strategy Group

Melissa is a seasoned researcher with almost a decade of experience on the ground using both quantitative and qualitative research to help clients meet their goals.

Melissa was named a “Rising Star” by Campaigns and Elections Magazine in 2015 for her work at a previous firm helping Gina Raimondo become the first female Governor of Rhode Island, a successful IE that helped re-elect Governor John Hickenlooper in Colorado, and a near upset of Governor Sam Brownback in solidly red Kansas. More recently, Melissa has provided research and strategic advice to the successful campaigns of Janet Mills for Governor of Maine, and J.B. Pritzker for Governor of Illinois. In previous cycles, she has worked for countless congressional races for the DCCC, House Majority PAC and EMILYs List.

As the head of GSG’s Midwest Office, based in Chicago, Melissa is one of the top go-to consultants when it comes to Illinois or Chicago politics. Melissa has built a strong expertise working with an extensive list of Illinois campaigns including, but not limited to: JB Pritzker for Governor, Susana Mendoza for Comptroller, Bill Foster for Congress, Illinois NRDC, Illinois ACLU and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition.

Melissa combines her real-world campaign experience with her academic background to provide clients smart guidance informed by research that is both clear and actionable. She has conducted extensive academic research on the electoral consequences of gender and is published in academic journals like Public Opinion Quarterly and the Journal of Women, Politics and Policy. She enjoys using this expertise to help women candidates navigate a gendered battlefield and increase the number of women serving in public office. Moreover, Melissa has been lauded by Politico for her work leading cutting edge experiments that continue to innovate and push the polling industry forward.

Melissa is based in Chicago, where she lives with her husband and two children. When not working, Melissa can be found going for a run on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail or enjoying Chicago’s many parks and playgrounds with her family.

Executive Director- Republican Party of Wisconsin

Mark Jefferson is currently the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.  It’s his second time in the position, having served in the same role from 2007 till 2011 under then state party Chairman Reince Priebus, helping elect Senator Ron Johnson and Governor Scott Walker in 2010.  Later, Jefferson worked at the RNC as a Regional Political Director and Director of Senate Majority Retention.  He also served three cycles as state director of Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly Campaign Committee during the early 2000s.

Partner- SRCPmedia

Jon Reedy is a Partner at SRCPmedia and has advised and produced advertising for federal candidates and super PACs in all corners of the country including Congressman Mike Garcia (CA), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN) and New Republican PAC (Senator Rick Scott’s super PAC).

In the 2020 cycle, Jon served as a Senior Adviser for the NRCC during a cycle in which House Republicans defied the odds by achieving double digit gains in the U.S. House.

Prior to joining SRCP, Reedy served the NRCC for three cycles as a Regional Political Director in the Northeast and Western regions.

Co-Founder & Creative Director– Content Creative Media

Dan has worked as an aide and consultant to Republican campaigns, candidates and office-holders for more than two decades. He spent several cycles working as a writer and producer at the Strategy Group for Media.

Dan worked for Sen. Rand Paul during his campaign for Senate in 2010 and much of his first term, serving in a variety of roles including spokesperson. His previous political experience includes working as an aide to Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Rep. Anne Northup.

Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky and is a proud member of the #BBN. He lives in Lexington, Ky. with his wife, Rachel, and their son, Sam.