Stephanie Vance
Managing Partner
Stephanie D. Vance, also known as the “Advocacy Guru”, is the author of five books including Citizens in Action: A Guide to Influencing Government and the Washington Bestseller The Influence Game. She’s a 30 year veteran of Washington, D.C. political scene and has held positions as a lobbyist, grassroots consultant and Congressional aide. Stephanie’s experiences as a legislative director and Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill led her to found Advocacy Associates, a firm dedicated to helping individuals and organizations be both heard and agreed with in the legislative environment. Ms. Vance is an adjunct professor at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management and holds a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University, a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies at Georgetown University, and a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from Western State Colorado University. She lives and works in Washington D.C.
Jason Jordan
PARTNER & CEO Advocacy Consulting Services
Jason Jordan is a principal partner in the public affairs firm of Advocacy Associates, where he helps organizations, candidates, and causes succeed in the political arena. Before joining Advocacy Associates, Jordan served as senior lobbyists and grassroots manager at the American Planning Association in Washington, D.C. He has also led policy and advocacy initiatives for a diverse array of organizations, including the Council for Urban Economic Development, National Association of Installation Developers, and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Previously, Jordan worked for former United States Senator Max Cleland, and has managed field operations and provided general strategic guidance for both congressional and statewide campaigns. An Atlanta native, Jordan has degrees from Emory University and American University.
Randy Ford
Partner
As a Partner at Advocacy Associates and President of our partner Constituent Voice, Randy brings considerable experience in developing mobile and web-based tools designed to connect citizens with their lawmakers. He also manages SGAP, a non-profit organization, which keeps approximately 100,000 high school students informed monthly of current and vital issues going through Congress. Randy has 25 years of experience in legislative research.
Kaytee Yakacki
Partner & Chief Executive Officer
Kaytee Yakacki is a Partner and the Chief Executive Officer at Advocacy Associates. Since 2011, she has overseen the execution of all Advocacy Day events as well as the cutting edge technology that helps provide the best possible experience for your advocates. Prior to joining the Advocacy Associates team, she worked on the Hill as a Congressional Press Intern and volunteered as a Campus Outreach Ambassador for the ONE Campaign. Kaytee was raised in Connecticut and graduated from Hofstra University in 2009 where she studied Print Journalism and Political Science. She loves baking, dogs, baseball and family time.
Lincoln Clapper
Chief Sales Officer
Lincoln oversees all sales and procurement processes for the firm. Having been in the industry since 2017, Lincoln has been involved in over 600 Advocacy Day events and brings tremendous insight into what best fits our client’s needs. Hailing from Turlock, CA and a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received his MA in International Security Studies, Lincoln currently resides in Washington, DC where he enjoys playing golf, traveling, and is an active sports enthusiast.
Chris Brown
chief technology Officer
Chris brings more than 20 years of development experience to Advocacy Associates from a range of industries including insurance, healthcare, consulting and marketing. He has a long history of working with start-ups and he loves Open Source and Open Data. Day to day Chris wrangles developers, works with clients on implementation, and is the chief architect of backend systems.
Noah Becker
Chief Operations Officer
Noah Becker is currently the Chief Operations Officer at Advocacy Associates. He joins the management team in overseeing client event execution, staff management, and day-to-day functions of the firm. Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, he helped build Prime Advocacy into Washington DC’s premier fly-in planning firm before joining forces with Advocacy Associates in 2020. Throughout his time in DC, Noah has worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), as well as the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). Noah was raised in Springfield, IL and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he studied Political Science and Sociology. He currently resides in Washington, DC where he enjoys volunteering with The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) as well as exploring the surrounding area.
Bobbie Jo Ballard
Chief Services officer
Bobbie Jo joins Advocacy Associates as the Chief Services Officer with more than seven years of advocacy and grassroots campaign experience. Prior to joining the team, she worked as the Executive Director of Prime Advocacy and spent time on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Kevin Brady. Having coordinated 100+ federal and state-level advocacy days, she has found that the key to a successful event includes thorough planning, a keen eye for detail, and, most importantly, ensuring all participants have a positive and memorable experience. Bobbie Jo is a Midwest native from Swansea, Illinois, located 15-minutes outside St. Louis. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Political Science and holds a CAPM certification. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with friends and family, checking out new restaurants on the weekend, and cheering on her hometown baseball team, the Cardinals, at Busch Stadium.
Kyle Matous
Director of Government Relations
Kyle is the Director of Government Relations at Advocacy Associates, where he utilizes over a decade of experience on and off Capitol Hill to help clients influence lawmakers and achieve their policy goals. Prior to joining AA, Kyle was the Senior Director for U.S. Government Relations at the ONE Campaign, a non-profit advocacy organization founded by Bono that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Before that, Kyle worked for Congressman Pete Sessions in a variety of roles, most recently as his Chief of Staff and as the Policy Director for the House Committee on Rules where he helped manage every bill that went to the floor of the House of Representatives under a rule.
Kyle grew up in Temple, Texas, and attended the University of Virginia for undergraduate school and Pepperdine University for law school. Kyle is married to Torrie Matous, whom he met while they both worked at the Rules Committee. They have a son, Charles, and a dog, Bennett.
Grace Murkowski
Senior ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR
Grace’s addition to the team comes after working in the energy sector in DC. She has broad experience with government affairs, event planning and client relations. Grace is from Miami FL, and graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a BA in International Studies, and also has a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from George Washington University.
Jared Payne
Account Supervisor
Jared Payne joined Advocacy Associates in Spring 2017. He assists with scheduling and logistics for “Stress-Free Advocacy Days.” He also conducts federal policy tracking for clients. Prior to joining the firm, Jared worked on two political campaigns in Florida, was a Political Sales Coordinator at NCC Media, and interned in the offices of Representative Kathy Castor, the Department of the Interior, and Restore America’s Estuaries. Jared holds a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and a B.S. in Political Science and International Affairs from Florida State University.
Paola Hernandez-Ortiz
Executive Services Manager
Paola joins Advocacy Associates with multiple years of experience managing fly-ins at Prime Advocacy. She has served in the government relations sector for six years and worked at both the state and federal level for former Senator Bill Nelson, former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) and FL Rep. Anna Eskamani (FL HD-47). Paola brings extensive knowledge of the advocacy process both on and off the Hill. She revels in the opportunity to connect advocates with their elected officials through congressional scheduling strategies to further champion the democratic process. Paola graduated from the University of Central Florida with a dual degree in Political Science and Spanish Art & Literature as a first-generation American. In her spare time, she is a brunch enthusiast, enjoys traveling abroad and exploring the DMV area.
Sara Anzalone
Account Supervisor
Prior to joining the team, Sara worked on multiple campaigns on both the state and national level and had the pleasure of working in the office of Congressman Joseph Morelle (NY-25). She graduated with a degree in Political Science and International Studies from SUNY Brockport in Upstate New York. When she's not passionately working alongside advocates, she enjoys trying new restaurants in DC and looking for the newest karaoke spot.
Trey Bridwell
Executive Account Manager
Before joining the Advocacy Associates team, Trey worked in the offices of Congressman Ron Estes and Senator James Lankford. As a Kansas native, he also previously served his local community as an AmeriCorps VISTA. Trey graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Economics and is completing his master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. He currently resides in Washington, DC where he enjoys exploring the city and experiencing all that DC has to offer.
James Simmons
Executive Account Manager
James previously worked in the office of Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. Through this time on the Hill, James has gained experience working with both Congressional staffers and constituents on a range of important issues. He moved from the west coast to the east coast to study at Boston University, where he received a degree in International Relations as well as minors in Economics and Chinese. James now lives in Washington DC, and spends his free time ballroom dancing, enjoying movies, and exploring the city.
Alex Massie
Excutive Account Manager
Before joining the team, Alex previously worked at the Fratelli Group and the office of Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01). At both stops, Alex gained critical knowledge on a wide range of legislative issues and communication strategies. A graduate from American University with a degree in Political Science and Government, he is in the process of applying for his master’s degree. Alex currently resides in New Haven, CT where he spends his free time watching movies, playing basketball, and taking his dogs for walks.
Samantha Azzinaro
Executive Account Manager
Samantha joined Advocacy Associates after working for Congressman Jim Langevin’s health policy team in 2021. Through her experience on Capitol Hill, she was exposed to the inner workings of Congress and its interdependence with constituents. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Public Health and minors in Political Science and Sustainability, Samantha moved to DC with the goal to pursue her interests in public policy. She now lives in Arlington, VA, and enjoys exploring the DMV area.
Sophie Machalec
Account Manager
Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, Sophie had the honor of working for Congressman Ralph Norman as his scheduler. Together with her experience in project coordination as a management consultant, she has developed meticulous attention to detail to ensure smooth fly-in execution for clients. Sophie graduated at the top of her class from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Political Science and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Security Studies at Georgetown University, concentrating in Military Operations. Sophie has also interned at the White House, for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, on the campaign of Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, and in the Texas State Senate.
Sophie is a 6th-generation Texan and loves to tell anyone who will listen about the wonders of H-E-B, Gruene Hall, and the Buc-ees in her hometown. Currently, Sophie resides in Washington, D.C. and spends her free time baking, going on long walks along the National Mall, and studying military history.
Cindy Mann
Account Manager
Cindy is thrilled to be returning to Advocacy Associates after beginning her career with the firm as a PR Associate almost 20 years ago after graduating from Ohio University. In addition to supporting “Advocacy Guru” Stephanie Vance’s speaking and training programs, she participated in the early development of the Congressional meeting scheduling platform that we currently use today in our “Stress Free Advocacy Day” events. Although originally from Chicago, Cindy considers herself a DMV local now and is settled in Bethesda, MD, with her husband, three kids, two cats, and a dog.
Eliza Meguschar
Account Manager
Prior to joining the team, Eliza, a born and raised Indiana Hoosier, worked for both the State and Federal government and had the pleasure of working in the office of Congressman Andre Carson (IN-07). After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Criminal Justice, Eliza moved to Washington DC, and plans on obtaining a master’s degree in Public Affairs. When not working, she enjoys visiting museums and finding new hiking spots in the DMV.
Maddie Weimer
Account Manager
Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, Maddie had the opportunity to move to Washington, DC and work in the office of former Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) where she handled legislative issues and constituent services. As a proud Texan, she graduated from Austin College with a degree in International Relations and a minor in Spanish while playing on the AC Women’s Soccer Team. Maddie currently resides in Little Rock, AR, and spends her free time volunteering for the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conferences, walking her dog, baking, and exploring new areas.
Ruhaan Pannu
Account Manager
Before joining Advocacy Associates, Ruhaan worked on multiple campaigns at both the state and federal level. Her interest in politics began while interning with Augusta University’s Government Relations department, working under the Gold Dome in Atlanta, GA, and honing her skills and passion for civic engagement. With a solid foundation in volunteer management, project coordination, and meticulous attention to detail, Ruhaan ensures the seamless execution of fly-in operations for her clients. Ruhaan graduated with a degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Digital Marketing. As a first-generation immigrant, Ruhaan takes immense pride in her rich cultural heritage. She currently resides in Evans, GA where she spends most of her time traveling, visiting museums, spending time with family and friends, and learning new languages.
Kathleen Eliceiri
Account Representative
Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, Kathleen interned on the Hill for Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08). Her interest in politics began while interning in California both at the City level with the Mayor of Santa Cruz, Fred Keeley, and at the State level for Assembly Member Tasha Boerner Horvath. She was heavily involved with constituent relations in all three of her political internships. With her knowledge of the Hill, she now makes sure fly-in days run smoothly. Kathleen graduated with a major in Politics and a minor in Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She currently resides in San Diego, California where she loves camping, gardening, and spending time with loved ones.
Dani Guerrero
Account Representative
Before joining Advocacy Associates, Dani spent much of her career supporting the diverse needs of clients all over South Florida. She has worked with boutique agencies and individual organizations to create programs, coordinate events, and manage both long-term and short-term projects. In 2017, she graduated with a degree in English and Creative Writing from Northwestern University and currently lives in Miami, Florida.
Sophia Cobert
Account Representative
Prior to joining the Advocacy Associates team, Sophia interned on Capitol Hill for Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29). Sophia is native to Washington, DC and her interest in policy began during childhood after she attended President Obama’s first inauguration. Throughout her life, she has worked on seven political campaigns and has now decided to turn her lifelong hobby, politics, into a career. She is a League of Women Voters member, as well as a Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Life Member. Following her Hill experience assisting with constituent meeting requests and organizational advocacy days, she now ensures Advocacy Associates continues to provide clients with unparalleled advocacy services. Sophia is a Public Relations major with minors in Linguistics and Political Science. She loves travelling, snowboarding, and trying different local coffee shops in DC.
Jarred Riel
Account Representative
Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, Jarred completed policy-focused internships in the US Senate and with a national medical association. His interest in politics comes from a viewpoint that policy should reflect the needs of communities and that everyone should have a voice in the process. His internship experiences give him an understanding of Hill meetings from the perspective of both the congressional office and the advocate. Jarred recently graduated with a double major in Human Rights and Human Development & Family Sciences from the University of Connecticut. He has just relocated from New England to DC and is enjoying his time exploring the city.
Conner LeBlanc
Account Representative
Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, Conner graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He moved to Washington D.C. to intern for Congressman Garrett Graves (LA-06) in the fall of 2023. He helped the Congressman and other staffers handle constituent orders and services. Conner currently lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In his free time, he loves playing sports, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with his family.
Clayton Watters
Account Representative
Prior to joining Advocacy Associates, Clayton interned on Capitol Hill for Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10). Clayton has also worked for past project management companies. Clayton grew up in Chapel Hill, N.C. and got his bachelor's degree in International Studies at Denison University and his masters’ degree in Global Studies with a concentration in Global Economy. In his free time, he enjoys running, going to sporting events, and traveling around the D.C. area.
Hayley Walker
Account Representative
Before joining the team, Hayley has worked in international humanitarian organizations, as a Public Health Manager in the National Health Service in London, and as an English teacher to non-native adult speakers. Her undergraduate degree, from the London School of Economics & Political Science was in Social Psychology and Philosophy and her MSc in Public Health. Although originally from the UK, Hayley grew up in Spain and has since lived in various places including Saudi Arabia before moving with her 3 kids and husband to the DMV in 2017. In her free time Hayley enjoys reading, seeing live music, and walking in the forest with the family’s dog.
Paige Love
Account Representative
Born and raised in the Bay Area, California Paige graduated from UCSD. Her initial inspiration to pursue advocacy work began with the shooting of Miles Hall, leading her to volunteer for the Miles Hall Foundation and fight for a 24/7, non-police response line to mental health and interpersonal emergencies in California. After participating in the UCDC program and interning at Advocacy Associates, Paige moved to DC to continue working at Advocacy Associates. Aside from exploring DC, she gardens, sews, and cooks in her spare time.
Neville Hyllegard
Account Representative
Neville is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges as well as a master’s in international affairs from American University. Prior to joining Advocacy Associates he gained experience on Capitol Hill from internships with Congressman Brian Higgins of New York and Congressman Jason Crow of Colorado. He likes to spend his free time with friends, reading books on history, and visiting all the great museums DC has to offer.