Michelle Coyle Edwards’ Career Focused on the Business of Politics Recognized
WASHINGTON – Today, Campaigns & Elections magazine named Rising Tide Interactive (RTI) vice president Michelle Coyle Edwards a 2015 ‘Rising Star’ — one of only ten Democrats to receive the honor.
As vice president for America’s leading data-driven digital strategy and advertising agency for Democrats and progressives, Coyle Edwards combines keen business acumen with a real understanding of digital media for both political campaigns and nonprofits.
“We couldn’t be happier that Michelle has been named a ‘Rising Star’ by Campaigns & Elections. She’s the complete package — not one of those people whose career trajectory is a straight line. Since starting out as a field organizer, she’s been a video producer, Website project manager, MBA student, corporate marketer, data analyst, nonprofit consultant, salesperson, cosmetics manufacturer, blogger, and small business guru,” said RTI partner Stephanie Grasmick Sager. She continued, “That’s what’s so special about Michelle – she doesn’t just use one skill set at a time, but draws on her decade-plus of experience across industries to come up with innovative solutions that wouldn’t be readily apparent to someone who only has experience in one area.”
Coyle Edwards has thirteen years of experience producing compelling creative and digital experiences for progressive political and nonprofit clients. Her work in television, web video, animation, and online has won seven Pollie awards. Most recently, Michelle has specialized in architecting web development solutions and campaigns that center on community building and engagement. In 2006, she won the inaugural American University Women In Politics WeLEAD program’s Political Ambition Award.
She possesses deep technical expertise and is well-schooled in the language and metrics of digital media as a result of over a decade of experience working at the intersection of advocacy and tech for clients including the Democratic National Committee, Victory Fund, and Sierra Club to name a few. Perhaps her greatest strength, however, is in business development, where she combines years of sales know-how with a natural aptitude for making personal connections that help to expand strategic partnerships and close new clients.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth with an MBA, Michelle lives with her husband and children in the D.C. metro-area.
Since 1988, Campaigns & Elections has recognized the up-and-comers of the campaign world with its coveted ‘Rising Star’ award. Over the years, recipients have climbed to the heights of politics, launching dozens of successful consulting firms and serving at the highest levels of state and federal campaigns.
It’s one of the most prestigious honors in the campaign world for a reason: industry giants are counted among the ranks of former ‘Rising Stars.’ For example, ‘Rising Stars’ have served in senior positions on the presidential campaigns of every major party nominee for president since 1992.
About Rising Tide Interactive
Rising Tide Interactive clients have included: Ready for Hillary, House Majority PAC, League of Conservation Voters, the USO, FWD.us, Democratic Governors Association, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, Planned Parenthood, Compassion & Choices, Bob Casey for U.S. Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine for U.S. Senate, Heidi Heitkamp for U.S. Senate, Joe Donnelly for U.S. Senate, Jeanne Shaheen for U.S. Senate, Mark Warner for U.S. Senate, Chris Coons for U.S. Senate, and Tom Udall for U.S. Senate.