Who We Are

Partner

Stephanie Grasmick

In recent cycles, Stephanie has served as the chief digital strategist on campaigns, independent expenditure programs and ballot initiatives from the national to the local level, and she currently manages digital media for a portfolio of political and public affairs clients, including FWD.us, Rewiring America, Unite Here, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 2021, she led RTI’s Voters and Media Survey, analyzing changing media consumption patterns among both persuadable likely voters and first-time voters. Her work frequently focuses on the intersection of digital measurement, data visualization and automation, and she frequently collaborates on cutting-edge studies of digital media in elections. Prior to joining Rising Tide in 2011, Stephanie served as a press aide in the U.S. Senate, digital content producer at DMG World Media, and deputy new media director at the DCCC. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Journalism in Strategic Communication from the University of Missouri, and can usually be found in front of a fire or under a blanket.

Partner, Creative

Amanda Gravely

Amanda leads Rising Tide Interactive’s creative department made up of Graphic Design, Video Production, and Content Strategy teams. With a background in design and creative direction, she specializes in crafting digital-first creative that drives action. Amanda bridges creative vision with political impact by guiding RTI’s creative projects from complex ideas into effective digital creative.

Amanda holds over a decade of experience in political creative. She’s produced award-winning creative for both advocacy organizations and political campaigns including gun violence prevention group Giffords, crisis response organization World Central Kitchen, Senator Jacky Rosen, and many more. Amanda has led creative for Senate, gubernatorial, and congressional campaigns, as well as PACs, independent expenditures, party committees, and Get Out The Vote efforts.

Outside of work you’ll find Amanda managing her cat Pepper’s social media presence.

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

Annie Levene

Annie has over 15 years of campaign experience. Annie was Rising Tide Interactive’s first employee and was made Partner in 2012. Under Annie’s leadership, Rising Tide Interactive has guided clients to develop both cutting-edge digital creative that is authentic and effective and media programs that reach, persuade, and turn out critical voters. Annie has carved a niche by building winning strategies in tough races, including executing the digital persuasion and GOTV programs for Senators Jacky Rosen, Kyrsten Sinema, Heidi Heitkamp, and Jeanne Shaheen, as well as the Independent Expenditure programs for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, End Citizens United, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and 314 Action. Annie has also run digital strategy for the successful reelection of Governors Kate Brown and Gretchen Whitmer and Senators Mark Kelly and Tammy Baldwin, as well as for Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Senate and presidential campaigns. Annie is a graduate of the University of Michigan and lives in Washington, D.C.

Video and Motion Graphics Editor

Rod Angulo

Rod is a Senior Motion Designer and Video Editor with over a decade of corporate, agency, and freelance experience. Since 2020, Rod has produced a host of videos and motion graphics focused on GOTV and ballot initiatives, as well as social and environmental justice advocacy. He’s worked with various local and state-wide campaigns and Political Action Committees including JB Pritzker for Governor, End Citizens United, Priorities USA, the DSCC, and DCCC. Rod holds a Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Design from Full Sail University.

Lead Strategist

Akash Apte

As Lead Strategist, Akash crafts and executes compelling persuasion, fundraising, and brand building digital campaigns for a variety of clients. At RTI, Akash has managed several multi-million dollar programs, including for Jacky Rosen’s 2024 Senate campaign, the DCCC, and the Legal Defense Fund, while also maximizing impact for programs with smaller budgets like ballot initiatives and local races. Prior to joining RTI, Akash gained significant experience building and growing email and SMS fundraising programs, raising millions for clients like Colin Allred for Senate, the DSCC, and Save the Children. Akash holds a B.A. from Georgetown University.

Media and Advertising Associate

Jules Bodily

As a Media and Advertising Associate, Jules assists in the planning, executing and trafficking of RTI’s media plans. Jules earned a dual degree in Public Relations and Political Science from Boston University and previously interned for the constituent offices of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Texas State Senator José Menéndez. Originally from Texas, they enjoy hiking, rock climbing and finding all the best coffee shops around Washington D.C.

Director of Content Strategy

Amy Bolick

As Director of Content Strategy, Amy specializes in crafting high-impact digital copy at the pace of campaigns. She’s written for clients like the DCCC, Voto Latino, Movement Labs, Haley Voters for Harris, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congresswoman Sharice Davids, World Central Kitchen, and even celebrities like Amy Poehler. Amy’s ads contrasting Trump’s inflationary deficit spending with Harris’s pro-business agenda were among the highest-testing independent spots in the final weeks of the 2024 cycle.

Amy is a Philadelphia native (Go Birds!) and holds a JD from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. She and her wife live in Baltimore with their barky beagle, Franklin, and their son, Elias.

Media and Advertising Associate

Alexis Colon

Alexis Colon is a Media & Advertising Associate supporting the trafficking, optimization, and performance analysis of digital advertising campaigns. Prior to Rising Tide Interactive, she supported anticorruption policy, counterterrorism efforts, and government transparency across multiple roles as a federal government contractor for various agencies. Based in Washington, D.C., she enjoys trying new restaurants, exploring historic sites, and engaging in political activism.

Media and Advertising Associate

Olivia Deelen

As a Media and Advertising Associate, Olivia supports the development, implementation, and quality assurance of RTI’s media plans. A native of the D.C. region, She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government from Franklin and Marshall College. Prior to joining RTI, Olivia served as a field organizer for the Harris-Walz Campaign, working to mobilize coalitions across Tempe, Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, and hiking with friends.

Senior Director of Client Strategy

Steph Densberger

Steph finds innovative offerings to help her clients raise money, make an impact, and win. She has worked with advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and many red-state Democrats. Steph is originally from Indiana and prefers walking as a form of transportation.

Junior Designer

Shawn-Dennis Dike

Shawn is a designer with a background in digital design, branding, and visual storytelling. Before joining RTI as a Junior Designer, he created digital content and creative for nonprofit, government, and community-focused organizations and collaborated with small businesses, online creators, and entertainment organizations. He has contributed to projects and campaigns for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, DC Health, and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. In 2023, he completed IBM’s Accelerate summer program, further strengthening his design thinking and user-centered design skills. Outside of work, he enjoys playing pickup basketball and exploring creative media like video games and film, which continue to fuel his creativity.

Director of Video Production

Kristen Grosshans

Kristen is a video production expert with nearly a decade of agency and corporate experience focusing predominantly in health communications. She has cut video ads and created content for national health organizations including the NIH, as well as developed social content for advocacy groups focusing on issues from reproductive rights to fighting surprise medical billing. Kristen has managed crews of up to 20 people and directed on sets ranging from single camera intimate productions to multi day, multi episode series. Kristen holds a Bachelor of Science in Media Production from Radford University.

Senior Director of Media

Sebastian Hamirani

Sebastian Hamirani is a Senior Director of Media at RTI. He returned to RTI after serving as Deputy Paid Digital Director for Harris-Walz 2024, helping lead the campaign’s nine-figure paid media program. Sebastian has planned and bought paid ads for electoral clients at every level, non-profits, and for labor unions. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and lives in Washington D.C., where he enjoys the city’s many bookstores.

Director of Client Strategy

Jordan Harris

As Director of Client Strategy, Jordan has experience managing digital media programs and turning client goals into actionable strategies for advertising and email programs. Jordan has worked on top-flight digital programs for the Democratic Party of Virginia, Kaine for Virginia, Mark Warner for Senate, the Legal Defense Fund, and an independent persuasion experiment that helped flip Wisconsin in the 2020 presidential election. Before working at RTI, Jordan worked on a congressional campaign in Virginia’s 5th district and interned at the Virginia General Assembly. Out of the office, he enjoys playing sports, cooking new meals, and watching UVA basketball games (Go Hoos!).

Client Strategy Associate

Julia Holman

As a Client Strategy Associate, Julia helps develop and execute compelling data-driven strategies for political candidates and nonprofits. Previously, she interned for her local state senator and with Her Bold Move, an organization dedicated to empowering women in politics. Julia graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and a concentration in Political Strategy and Perception. In her free time, she enjoys cheering on Michigan sports teams, reading fantasy novels, and rewatching old seasons of Survivor.

Design Director

Krista Hunsicker

As Design Director, Krista delivers clever results and great design strategy to influence people for the betterment of society. She holds a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Central Florida and has worked in various design roles at RTI since 2016, helping to pass legislation for orgs like NDRC, DCCC, and 314 Action, helping to elect Steve Bullock Governor of Montana, Jacky Rosen as Senator of Nevada, reelect Stephanie Murphy as a House member, and many more. Krista is a cinephile, enjoys watching the Oscars every year, and being inspired by old movie title sequences. She is a proud geek, halloween enthusiast, and thinks that trivia knowledge is a superpower.

Lead Strategist

Bronson Kamei

As a Lead Strategist, Bronson is an integral part of the strategic development and execution of digital advertising campaigns. At RTI, Bronson has partnered with a wide range of campaigns, PACs, non-profits, and interest groups on fundraising, mobilization, persuasion, and brand awareness efforts. Bronson has a proven track record of helping clients meet diverse goals; he’s raised tens of millions of dollars for World Central Kitchen, helped win competitive races for Democrats up and down the ballot, and managed a successful multimillion-dollar in-field randomized controlled trial for the Voter Registration Project in 2024. Bronson was born and raised in Southern California; despite this, he (mostly) manages to refrain from criticizing DC’s weather.

Media and Advertising Associate

Sam Kelly

As a Media and Advertising Associate, Sam assists in planning, executing, and tracking advertising campaigns. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and went on to attend Pennsylvania State University where she earned her Bachelor’s in Marketing from the Smeal College of Business. Sam has worked on fundraising campaigns for non-profit organizations for 5 years before joining the Rising Tide team. When she isn’t working, Sam enjoys knitting, crochet, and playing video games with her friends.

Media Planner

Ava Kian

As a Media Planner, Ava supports digital advertising campaigns for clients by executing media plans, overseeing media buying, and analyzing campaign performance across platforms. Previously, she interned at the Department of State, working with officials at the U.S. Embassy of Tunisia. She is originally from Pasadena, California and recently graduated from UC Davis, where she studied International Relations and Environmental Policy Analysis. In her free time, Ava enjoys staying engaged with foreign affairs, going to the beach, and doing the New York Times crossword.

Vice President, Client Strategy

Neeraja Koneru

Neeraja has nearly a decade of experience leading the strategy and execution of digital campaigns. As the Vice President of our Client Strategy department, she handles some of our biggest online fundraising, voter persuasion, and Get Out The Vote programs. She worked with the Democratic Party of Georgia to help raise record-breaking amounts of money online prior to the January 2021 runoffs as well as to lead a digital turnout program that helped flip the U.S. Senate. In 2020, she led voter persuasion efforts in Wisconsin that hurt Donald Trump’s numbers. And, in 2018, she led the digital persuasion efforts that helped Governor Whitmer flip the governorship of Michigan blue. Additionally, she has worked with organizations and campaigns including Southern Poverty Law Center, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Texas Democratic Party, and MJ for Texas to help raise millions of dollars online.

Neeraja is from Austin where she attended the University of Texas at Austin. She enjoys Scrabble, standup, spicy food, and Slack emojis.

Director of Human Resources and Operations

Blake Kubin

Blake is the Director of Human Resources and Operations at RTI, where he works to manage and improve the employee experience. He got his start working in operations on numerous political campaigns, including Pete Buttigieg’s historic 2020 presidential run, and most recently in his home state of Virginia. Blake graduated from the George Washington University with a BA in Economics and Political Science focused on Public Policy.

Client Strategy Associate

Diana Lorch

Diana is a Client Strategy Associate at Rising Tide Interactive, where she helps build strong digital campaigns for Democratic candidates. Prior to joining RTI, she interned in the offices of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. Diana was also a Fellow at Meridian International Center, where she supported a State Department exchange program. A graduate of The George Washington University, she loves exploring DC, hosting creative events, and testing new vegetarian recipes.

Account Manager

Nick Marshall

As an Account Manager at RTI, Nick serves as the day-to-day contact for clients and is responsible for managing clients’ digital campaigns. Previously, Nick worked at Purple Strategies where he helped execute multifaceted communications campaigns. He also worked as an Advance Associate at The White House, ensuring that the President’s speaking events went off without a hitch. In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time outdoors, playing golf, and cheering on the Boston sports teams.

Video and Motion Graphics Editor

Sean McCrone

Sean is a Motion Graphics Designer and Video Editor with more than seven years of experience in the creative advertising industry. He began his career after graduating from VCU School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. With a strong appreciation for both traditional and experimental animation, Sean excels at blending analog and digital techniques to create unique and eye-catching media. He has worked with a number of national brands as well as local schools, highway safety campaigns, and public safety campaigns.

Account Manager

Matt McGee

As an Account Manager, Matt works closely with clients to run direct response campaigns across a variety of mediums and enjoys being hands-on throughout every step of the process, from ideation to production. Over his few years at RTI, Matt has contributed to fundraising programs for clients like the Legal Defense Fund, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and House Majority PAC. In 2024, he helped spearhead the highly successful email, SMS, and social ad fundraising programs for Senator Amy Klobuchar, contributing to her standout election win, where she outperformed all other Senate Democrats in margin of victory. Matt is a nearly lifelong Massachusetts resident, with the exception of a brief adventure to the arctic region known as “Upstate New York” to earn his B.S. in Information Management & Technology at Syracuse University.

Media Planner

Emily Ninh

As a Media Planner, Emily supports the creation and implementation of media plans to help deliver advertisements using the right mix of messaging and audience targeting. She is from San Diego, California and studied Political Science: Public Law at the University of California, San Diego. Outside of the office, you can find Emily painting, reading a good book, or baking new recipes for her friends and family.

Director of Client Strategy

Claire O’Brien

As Director of Client Strategy, Claire has worked on persuasion, turnout, fundraising, and advocacy programs for clients like Jacky Rosen, Democratic Party of Georgia, and FWD.us. A graduate of George Mason University, Claire has previously worked in both the campaign and non-profit world, including with Hillary for America, the Ohio Democratic Party, and Demand Justice. In her free time she can be found reading, testing new recipes, and hanging out with her menagerie of pets.

Staff Accountant

Maggie Paja

As a Staff Accountant, Maggie supports the day-to-day operational activities of the firm’s accounts receivable and accounts payable functions. She also handles all accounting inquiries and requests from the client and media team. She started as an Operations/Accounting Intern at Rising Tide while getting her Business Administration degree with Finance specialization in University of Baltimore. In her free time, she loves visiting local coffee shops on the weekends with her pup, Enzo, or you can find her lifting in the gym.

Account Manager

Bryan Quick

As an Account Manager, Bryan takes clients’ needs and turns them into realities, assisting in turnout, awareness, and persuasion. Working primarily in SMS, MMS, and email marketing, he worked to elect Katie Hobbs in her 2022 gubernatorial race, and worked alongside Movement Labs to send 100 million texts in 2024 for a provable impact on turnout in key states and districts. Bryan found his way to DC after working in Biden’s successful primary and general elections in 2020, after earning his B.A. in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Growing up in New Jersey, Bryan is a proud New Jerseyan and a lover of the Jersey Shore and Taylor Ham.

Senior Graphic Designer

Jasmín Quiñones

As a Senior Graphic Designer, Jasmín crafts compelling and effective creative to support persuasion, fundraising, and mobilization campaigns that drive action. Prior to joining RTI, she produced digital creative for Democratic campaigns and advocacy organizations including MoveOn, Beto O’Rourke, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and more. Jasmín holds a degree in Graphic Design from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Outside of work, she enjoys playing cozy games, learning a new craft, and exploring art museums across the DMV.

Director of Advertising Operations

Fabio Rubiera

Fabio joined RTI in 2018 as the company’s first ad ops specialist and has since grown to lead the team responsible for creating and maintaining digital ad campaigns for all our clients. The Ad Ops team ensures that ad campaigns effectively execute the client’s digital strategy by following platform specific data driven best practices and works closely with the Client Strategy department to build, launch, and optimize these campaigns. He has worked in digital marketing since 2014, previously in the hospitality and automotive sectors. He graduated from Florida International University with a degree in political science. In his free time, Fabio enjoys watching historical documentaries and keeping up with the DC local music scene.

Junior Designer

Héctor Ruiz

Héctor is a designer and researcher committed to social and progressive causes. In recent years, he has engaged with communities in the NYC metro area and the US-Mexico Borderlands, collecting, synthesizing, and shaping qualitative input into products and services for public agencies and grassroots organizations. He holds an MFA in Design for Social Innovation from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and a BA in Visual Design from the Autonomous University of Baja California. In his free time, Héctor enjoys crate-digging at record stores and spending time in the waterfront parks of Brooklyn.

Lead Media Strategist

Chloe Stavrianos

As a Lead Media Strategist, Chloe is responsible for creating, implementing, and analyzing media plans to ensure we deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time. Originally from nearby Rockville, Maryland; she studied Political Science at American University and worked in RTI’s Client Strategy department for two election cycles before joining the media team. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, running, and exploring DC’s restaurants and museums with friends.

Senior Director of Accounting

Monica Summers

Monica is the Director of Accounting 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.

Account Manager

Adam Troy

As an Account Manager, Adam has experience as a digital strategist and communications expert for campaigns, causes, and nonprofits. A creative and dynamic thinker, Adam excels at strategic planning, content creation, and rapid response. Originally from Rome, Georgia, Adam started working on campaigns after earning his B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Skidmore College in Upstate New York.  Over the years, he’s worked for campaigns in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Mississippi, and today resides in D.C. where he and his rescue dog love taking treks through Rock Creek Park.