Who We Are

Founding Partner

Eli Kaplan

Rolling Stone Magazine has recognized Eli as a millennial who is “making a mark” on how the left wins elections. That’s because for the past 12 years, Eli has been at the forefront of digital marketing innovations in Democratic politics. As a founding partner of both Rising Tide Interactive and DSPolitical, he’s pioneered some of the best practices for using “big data” in the world of online political advertising — both for email acquisition and fundraising, and for voter persuasion and mobilization. He’s helped Democrats win some of the most hard-fought political races in the country — including U.S. Senate and gubernatorial contests in Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and more. Prior to founding Rising Tide Interactive, Eli managed digital media operations for a series of extremely competitive statewide political campaigns. He’s been honored with awards by the Association of American Political Consultants and Campaigns & Elections magazine.  He’s spoken at conferences such as AdMonsters OPS, Netroots Nation, and CampaignTech, and guest-lectured at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.

Partner

Stephanie Grasmick Sager

Stephanie is one of the premiere digital strategists in progressive politics. She currently manages digital media for a portfolio of political and public affairs clients, including FWD.us, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and Senator Joe Donnelly. Stephanie was recently named one of the top “women to watch” bridging tech and politics during the 2016 election cycle by MSNBC. Her background also includes media relations work in the U.S. Senate, digital content production at DMG World Media, and serving as Deputy New Media Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Stephanie frequently collaborates with the Analyst Institute on cutting-edge studies of digital media in elections, and her writing has been published in Roll Call. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism with a focus on Strategic Communication from the University of Missouri and enjoys tending to her very small garden in Northeast D.C.

Partner

Annie Levene

Under Annie’s leadership, Rising Tide Interactive has guided clients to develop cutting-edge digital programs that raise millions of dollars through recruiting and engaging with grassroots donors and that reach, persuade, and turn out critical voters. Annie has carved a niche by building winning strategies for tough races, including serving as the lead digital strategist for 2018’s only Senate seat flips, Jacky Rosen and Kyrsten Sinema. Annie also ran digital strategy for the successful 2018 reelection campaigns of Governor Kate Brown, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy. Annie has personally directed programs for the Democratic Governors Association, Senator Chris Coons, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Tim Kaine and is proud to have executed all fundraising and persuasion advertising campaigns for Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s come from behind victory in 2012. Annie holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan.

Chief Operating Officer

Lizz Gramling

Elizabeth, or Lizz, serves as RTI’s Chief Operating Officer and she oversees all aspects of operations, finance, and HR at the firm. Prior to joining RTI, Lizz was the Director of Operations and Services at Hillary for America, and she previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Despite studying biology at Rosemont College, Lizz has spent over a decade working at the intersection of operations management and politics. In her spare time Lizz enjoys hiking with her dog, Milan, and traveling.

Client Strategy Associate

Claire Baumgartner

Claire is a Client Strategy Associate. Prior to joining Rising Tide Interactive she worked on multiple progressive campaigns, most notably for Secretary Hillary Clinton in Iowa and Ohio. Claire hails from Virginia by way of New England and graduated from George Mason University with a degree in psychology. When she’s not working, Claire enjoys reading, doing puzzles, taking long walks, and playing with her cats, Athena and Louise.

Accounting Clerk

Maggie Bigol

Production Associate

Russell Crock

As a Production Associate, Russell performs quality assurance for email campaigns and tries to nail down that ever-elusive Democratic message. In his previous political life, he’s worked for Senator Chris Van Hollen, Missouri AG Chris Koster, and Virginia LG Justin Fairfax. When he’s not telling people that their vote actually does matter, you can find him building LEGOs or watching Duke basketball.

Lead Strategist

Steph Densberger

Steph is a Lead Strategist whose career has been in digital and email marketing. She insists on vivid copywriting, enjoys bending CRMs to her will, and loves seeing her clients’ names in print. Originally from Indiana, she’s a D.C. lifer by now. She reads everything, walks everywhere, and judges people who use umbrellas in the snow.

Director of Client Strategy

Ben Deutsch

Before coming to Rising Tide Interactive, Ben was the digital director for Gary Peters’ successful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014 and worked at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, where he led digital campaigns for public affairs initiatives and global brands. At RTI, he leads a team of strategists who run innovative fundraising and advocacy efforts for political campaigns, party committees, and non-profits. Ben has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Political Science from the University of Evansville.

Lead Strategist, Media Planning

Cassie Doyle

As Lead Strategist on the Media Planning team, Cassie translates client goals into sophisticated media plans, oversees media buying, and monitors industry trends and best practices. Cassie joins Rising Tide from Story Partners, a strategic communications firm where she managed paid and earned media campaigns and web design projects. She began her career in DC on the staff of former Maine Congressman Mike Michaud. Cassie is a graduate of Vanderbilt and an avid fan of Boston sports teams, chicken pad Thai, and petting other people’s dogs.

Account Manager

Scott Geldzahler

Scott moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Tufts University with a Political Science degree in 2016. Described by his uncles as “a bleeding-heart liberal,” he’s worked with a variety of political and non-profit clients in digital persuasion and direct action fundraising. In his free time, Scott attempts to sear the perfect steak and compose the perfect tweet.

Creative Director

Amanda Gravely

Amanda is a graphic designer who specializes in digital-first creative for Democratic campaigns and causes. As Creative Director, she leads our team of graphic designers, content strategists, and video editors, managing projects from concept to execution. Since 2014, she’s worked with a variety of RTI clients including Ready for Hillary, Kyrsten Sinema, Jacky Rosen, DCCC, DGA, DLCC, and more, leveraging design to drive people to action. Most of her time outside of work is spent managing her cat Pepper’s social media presence.

Client Strategy Associate

Jordan Harris

As a Client Strategy Associate, Jordan evaluates the performance of online ad and email
programs for clients. He has experience working for the Democratic Leader of the Virginia
House of Delegates and served as a Call Time Manager for a Democratic Congressional
campaign in Virginia’s 5 th District. Jordan graduated from the University of Virginia with a
degree in Government. Out of the office, he enjoys playing sports, cooking new meals, and
watching UVA basketball games (Go Hoos!).

Lead Strategist

Mia Hodge

Before coming to RTI, Mia served as a consultant to ballot measure campaigns that raised over $1.5 billion in funding for California public services. Mia holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. A native Californian, Mia can be found exploring various D.C. farmers’ markets on the weekend.

Graphic Designer

Krista Hunsicker

Krista is a Graphic Designer on our Creative Team who believes in using clever solutions and great design to influence people for the betterment of society. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Central Florida. Krista is a cinephile (lover of films) and enjoys watching the Oscars every year and being inspired by the title sequences. She is a proud geek and thinks that trivia knowledge is a superpower.

Account Manager

Michael Kalmans

Michael supports digital communications and targeted advertising campaigns for a variety of political and non-profit organizations. Previously, his passion for the intersection of politics and social impact led him to intern in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and at ActBlue. Originally from Connecticut, Michael graduated from Tufts University in 2017 with a degree in Political Science. Outside the office, Michael can be found biking along the Potomac River and searching for D.C.’s best latte.

Digital Advertising Content Strategist

Stephanie King

As Digital Advertising Content Strategist, Stephanie writes content for RTI’s digital campaigns.  Before joining RTI, Stephanie worked as a Field Organizer and Campaign Manager for local campaigns, before spending the last two years focusing on writing campaign communications, first print and mail, and then digital.  Stephanie has a BA in Political Science and Biology from Johns Hopkins University, and when not writing, she can be found drinking coffee and perfecting her garlic bread recipe.

Lead Strategist

Neeraja Koneru

Neeraja has led strategy and execution of digital campaigns for clients in both the non-profit and for-profit worlds for years successfully executing on a range of strategies including: sales growth, email list growth, and fundraising. As a marketing thought leader, she’s also led educational webinars with SEMPO, and published blog posts with a number of organizations including Marketing Land. Neeraja is from Austin where she received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. She enjoys reading, Scrabble, standup, & spicy food.

Senior Writer and Content Strategist

Helen Luryi

As RTI’s Senior Writer and Content Strategist, Helen conceptualizes campaigns and produces email content for progressive candidates and organizations. She got her start in email marketing as a Senior Writer for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Previous to that, she worked for a series of policy and advocacy organizations focused on women’s and workers’ rights. When she’s not brainstorming email ideas at odd hours, Helen is often engaging in some sort of activism or hanging out at the local dog park.

Account Manager

Max Makovetsky

Max is beyond excited to put his digital marketing experience to work for clients he believes in. Max was born in Minneapolis, MN, and then moved east to study English and Political Science at Tufts University (go Bos!). He loves running, podcasts, meditation, and his poorly behaved dog, Rudy.  

Video Editor

Germain McCarthy

Director of Digital Advertising and Technology

Kelsey McLaughlin

Kelsey manages RTI’s online advertising team as Director of Digital Advertising and Technology and is based in San Francisco. She got her start in politics on President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and later served as digital director for No Labels, a non-profit political organization. In addition to overseeing the digital advertising department, Kelsey manages digital strategy for clients including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Compassion & Choices, and key 2018 Senate races. Kelsey graduated with high honors and a Bachelor of Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Senior Advisor

Kevin McTigue

Kevin McTigue is a Senior Advisor at Rising Tide Interactive where he helps clients navigate the strategic and digital landscapes. He is a veteran of numerous campaigns and served as the Deputy Director for Independent Expenditures at the Democratic Governors Association. While at the DGA, he helped elect new governors in Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, and re-elect governors in Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. A native of Ann Arbor, Kevin believes in Jim Harbaugh.

Lead Strategist

Juliana Pajdo

Juliana has worked at Rising Tide since the 2016 cycle and is currently a Lead Strategist. She graduated from New York University in 2016 with a degree in Politics. Before working at RTI, she held internships at the Center for American Progress and the U.S. Department of Education. Since an all-female Ocean’s movie was finally released, she is now taking suggestions for new lifelong dreams.

Account Manager

Emily Perlstein

Emily is an Account Manager at RTI, responsible for day-to-day client contact and strategy. She started out at Rising Tide as an intern, and previously interned at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Ready for Hillary PAC. She recently graduated from The George Washington University, where she studied Political Communications and History. In her free time, Emily loves to read, listen to ’70s rock, and explore D.C.

Junior Graphic Designer

John Robinson

John is one of the designers on RTI’s Creative Team. With a background working for non-profit organizations, he believes in using design to create impactful visuals to provide value to an audience. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art & Design from Frostburg State University. Outside of work, John is an avid solo traveler, snack connoisseur, and lover of portrait photography and visual storytelling.

Associate Director of Content Strategy

Emily Rossi

Emily helps Rising Tide Interactive clients build their best digital selves, using creative and comprehensive online strategies and memorable, authentic content. Before joining RTI, Emily served as Director of Digital Media to Senator Claire McCaskill and the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sr. Content Developer to Clerk of the House, Karen Haas. She has a Masters in Digital and Political Communications from Johns Hopkins, and a Bachelors in Theatre from William & Mary.

Advertising Operations Manager

Fabio Rubiera

As Advertising Operations Manager, Fabio’s work involves trafficking new ads on all advertising platforms as well as regular maintenance and quality assurance of ongoing ad campaigns. He studied Political Science at Florida International University in Miami, FL and has previously worked in digital advertising for the automotive and hospitality industries. In his free time he likes to listen to and play music, play video games, and go on hiking trips.

Account Manager

Brianna Shamsuddoha

As an Account Manager, Brianna is responsible for day-to-day client management and strategy. Before RTI, Brianna worked for Senator Gary Peters after graduating from Michigan State University (go green!). Outside of work, Brianna enjoys cooking for friends and family as well as hanging out with her corgi-mix, Brynn. As a prouder Michigander, she has a plethora of fun #MichiganFacts.

Director of Client Strategy

Jake Sticka

As Director of Client Strategy at RTI, Jake works with our client strategy team to find digital solutions that meet our clients’ needs. This is his fourth election cycle as a part of RTI’s team, where he previously led digital advertising efforts on a number of statewide campaigns and national nonprofits. Jake is a native of San Diego, a graduate of Georgetown University, a suffering fan of Padres baseball and Hoyas basketball, and a minigolf enthusiast.

Accounting Manager

Monica Summers

Monica is the Accounting Manager at RTI.  She handles the day-to-day financial operations, maintains financial records, and performs general bookkeeping functions.  Monica has 8+ years of accounting experience. Prior to coming to RTI she performed accounting functions for a large government contracting research corporation with a concentration in the advancement of space and science technology.  Monica is an avid roller skater and a die-hard Redskins fan. She also enjoys cooking, jewelry making and interior decorating.