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

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 the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In 2018, she served as the chief digital strategist on statewide campaigns and independent expenditure programs in Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Ohio and Indiana. Prior to joining Rising Tide in 2011, Stephanie served as a deputy press secretary in the U.S. Senate, digital content producer at DMG World Media, and deputy new media director at the DCCC.

Stephanie frequently collaborates on cutting-edge studies of digital media in elections, and her writing has been published in Roll Call. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism in Strategic Communication from the University of Missouri, and is a proud Tortilla Coast alum.

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.

Strategy Associate

Adele Ackert

Adele is a Strategy Associate at RTI, responsible for evaluating the performance of client’s email and advertising programs. Prior to working at RTI, she worked at Revolution Messaging as a Digital Advertising Associate. Born and raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Adele moved to D.C. to study political communication at American University. Outside of work Adele enjoys camping, cooking, and listening to too much NPR.

Account Manager

Claire Baumgartner

Prior to joining Rising Tide Interactive, Claire 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.

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.

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.

Operations/Office Manager

Karima El-Khatib

Karima is the Operations/Office Manager here at RTI. Prior to joining RTI, Karima wrote and edited policy articles on cybersecurity and served as a political photojournalist in Palestine before moving back to the U.S. to get more deeply involved in politics at home. Karima graduated from the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at The George Washington University with a degree in Photojournalism.

Vice President, Creative

Amanda Gravely

Amanda is a graphic designer and creative director who specializes in digital-first creative for Democratic campaigns and causes. As Vice President, Creative, she leads our Content, Design, Video, and Production teams, 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.

Accounting Clerk

Maggie Kasa

Vice President, Client Strategy

Brian Krebs

As VP for Client Strategy, Brian helps clients achieve their goals by tapping into his digital expertise in fundraising, communications, and integrating staff into campaigns. In 2018, he conceptualized and planned a first-of-its-kind digital advertising team within the historic midterm DCCC Independent Expenditure. During his two-cycle stint at the DCCC, Brian also built the committee’s inaugural team of regional digital directors. Prior to coming to Washington, Brian served as Mark Udall’s digital director and Claire McCaskill’s deputy digital director. Before his career in politics, Brian was an editor and reporter at The Huffington Post’s Patch.com in Northern Virginia. He holds a Bachelors of Journalism from the University of Missouri.

Account Manager

Jordan Harris

As an Account Manager, Jordan manages digital media strategy for online advertising and email programs. Prior to joining RTI, he served as a Call Time Manager for a Democratic Congressional campaign in Virginia’s 5th District and interned for the Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates. 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

Kate Hilts

Before her work as a Lead Strategist, Kate served as Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s campaign digital director. Previously, she worked as a campaign production analyst at Planned Parenthood, and on the RTI team for the 2016 cycle. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies — Political Science from Reed College. When not devising digital strategy she can be found reading, traveling, or doing Zumba.

Lead Strategist

Mia Hodge

Mia’s top priority as a Lead Strategist on the Client Strategy team is ensuring that our innovative email and advertising programs amplify each client’s unique voice, leveraging their message to inspire online grassroots support and achieve their goals. 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.

Junior Graphic Designer

Jacqueline Juengst

Jacqueline is a designer on the creative team who strives to engage audiences with compelling graphics across platforms. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design. When not visiting museums around town, she enjoys curling up with a hot cup of tea.

Account Manager

Michael Kalmans

As an Account Manager, Michael helps Rising Tide Interactive clients identify their digital organizing and fundraising priorities, and execute comprehensive online strategies to meet their objectives. 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.

Associate Director of Content Strategy

Stephanie King

Stephanie leads RTI’s Content Team as they create compelling ideas for persuasive digital campaigns. In her own writing, Stephanie specializes in creating video scripts that drive donations, persuade voters, and raise public awareness.
Before joining RTI, Stephanie crafted focused campaign communications for print and direct mail. She has a BA in Political Science and Biology from Johns Hopkins University, and when not writing, Stephanie 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.  

Production Associate

Alexandra McCabe

As a Production Associate, Ali’s role at RTI is to take the final step from digital strategy to what you see in your inbox. She cut her political teeth as an intern at RTI after working in communications for the nonprofit sector and graduating from York College of Pennsylvania with a degree in writing. When not engrossed in Twitter, you can find her rambling Joshua Tree with her dogs or reading in her hammock.

Video Editor

Germain McCarthy

Germain is a video editor on RTI’s Creative team. Having worked in both traditional and political advertising, he strives to create ads that are both data-driven and outside of the box. He graduated from Spring Hill College with a Public Relations & Advertising degree with an emphasis in Media Production. When not riding Lime scooters around DC, he loves playing with his golden retriever, trying new foods, and going to local sporting events.

Vice President, Media

Kelsey McLaughlin

Kelsey manages RTI’s media team 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. 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.

Strategy Associate

Matt Medeiros

Matt is a Strategy Associate at RTI, responsible for evaluating the performance of client’s email and advertising programs. He previously worked at RTI as an Advertising Operations Specialist and as a Digital Intern.  Originally from Massachusetts, he moved to DC to study Political Science and History at the George Washington University. In his free time, Matt likes to play music, listen to podcasts, and bike to various coffee shops around D.C.

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.

Lead Strategist

Emily Perlstein

Emily is a Lead Strategist at RTI, where she spearheads innovative email and digital ad programs for her clients. Prior to her time at RTI, she worked with the digital teams at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Ready for Hillary PAC. Emily holds Bachelors degrees in Political Communications and History from the George Washington University. A Midwesterner at heart, Emily has spent the last few years in DC fueled by nitro cold brew, aperol spritzes, and Fleetwood Mac.

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.

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.

Strategy Associate

Lydia Schwartz

As a Strategy Associate, Lydia is responsible for evaluating the performance of clients’ email and advertising programs. Originally from DC, she’s been touting the Democratic party and debating abortion rights since she was in the 3rd grade. If she’s not in the office then she’s probably spending time with friends.

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.

Vice President, Client Strategy

Jake Sticka

As Vice President, 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.

Content Strategist

Blake Stump

As a Content Strategist, Blake drafts the content driving our clients’ online fundraising programs. Prior to coming to RTI, Blake interned with the Senate Budget Committee and worked on Congressional campaigns in Texas and Virginia. He has a degree in Communication Studies from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he grew up. In his free time, you can usually find him watching Netflix, catching up on the news, or playing video games.

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.

Executive Assistant

India Waller

India joins RTI as the Executive Assistant. She supports the Partners and works directly with leadership on day-to-day operations and special projects. India has six years of administrative, executive, and office management experience in both the private & public sectors. Prior to RTI, India served as the Executive Assistant at Chalkbeat.  A Maryland native, India received her B.A. from Salisbury University and MPA from The University of Baltimore. Outside of work, India loves bartending and shopping.