DDC Public Affairs

Partisan divides. Misinformation. Historic upheaval. Voters are looking for guidance from sources they trust—and employers are still the most trusted source of information for many individuals. Empowered matters for individuals and organizations that will be affected by election outcomes for years to come. Our workshop will give your employees, PAC members, and other key stakeholders crucial insights to cast a truly empowered vote. https://bit.ly/3LOqdPr

We’ll be at the DNC. Will you? DDC is proud to be partnering with Serafin & Associates, Inc. to provide a place to unwind during the DNC just minutes away from the convention sites. If you’ll be in Chicago, stop by to catch up with us and enjoy free snacks, drinks, and giveaways. RSVP at the link below to let us know you’re coming by. We hope to see you there! https://bit.ly/4cZKFc0

Join us in congratulating nine of our DDC colleagues who are celebrating work anniversaries in July. Thank you to all those celebrating anniversaries for your hard work over the years!

~Carl Lesto and Pavithra Srikant: 3 years
~Katie Wright: 11 years
~Kevin Lawlor and Bill Toye: 12 years
~Sudha Vijjeswarapu: 16 years
~Angie McQuillen: 19 years
~Philip Leeman: 21 years
~Hunter Hamilton: 25 years

DDC is proud to recognize and honor the experiences and achievements of the disability community during this Disability Pride Month. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our employees and clients, and we continue to invest in making the political process more accessible to all through advancements in our technology and strategies.

DDC staff had a great time cheering on the Washington Nationals and enjoying some quality time together! Thank you to everyone who braved the heat and came out to support the team.

Earlier this week DDC interns and their intern managers attended the WGR Summer Intern Series Panel. Panelists shared the importance of making and fostering genuine connections, how to best take advantage of mentorship opportunities, and tips on how to navigate the challenges of being a woman starting out in the industry. Our team members left excited and ready to take these lessons and apply them to their work here at DDC!

SVP Katie Wright, DDC’s Energy Practice lead, shares her insights on the urgent need across every energy sector for authentic public affairs to power the energy transition. From on-the-ground community and stakeholder engagement to legislative advocacy, learn how DDC’s Energy Practice Group is leading the way. Read more in our latest blog. https://bit.ly/3Sd6M6l

Authentic Public Affairs for the Energy Transition:Perspectives from DDC’s Energy Practice Group – DDC Public Affairs

DDC Senior Vice President and practice lead Dan Sweet attended last month, and he’s sharing a few key takeaways on why local community engagement will be critical to influencing both healthcare policy and behavior today and in the future.

The Future of Healthcare Hinges on Local Community Engagement – DDC Public Affairs

According to the Pew Research Center, Latinx people are projected to comprise 14.7% of all eligible voters in 2024, up from 13.6% in 2020 and just 7.4% in 2000. With this key voter bloc continuing to expand both in size and diversity, understanding how to engage with and motivate Hispanic voters is crucial for electoral and issue campaigns alike. Learn more from Senior Account Executive Alfredo Gonzalez Alfonzo in our latest blog post. https://bit.ly/3zkdT6J

This month, we are celebrating the work anniversaries of seven of our DDC colleagues whose roles range from supporting our clients' PAC compliance and administration needs to legislative research and client technical and program support. Thank you all for being integral to making DDC the full-service agency it is today.

Blake Bradford, who is celebrating 8 years with us, said what he has enjoyed most about working with DDC has been “growing with the Tech Implementation Team. When I first started working here our team was less than half of the size that it is today, and it has been fun to witness our team grow and flourish throughout my years here."

~Stella Kustra: 1 year

~John Masso: 1 year

~Yubo Tsai: 6 years

~Blake Bradford: 8 years

~Jack Tsai: 10 years

~Shannon Wilks: 12 years

~Kendra Mehring: 16 years

In honor of , DDC’s Women's Leadership Forum hosted a virtual discussion focused on mental health and the workplace. The conversation centered around Harvard Business Review’s article, “5 Strategies for Improving Mental Health at Work.” Colleagues shared support strategies, work-life balance practices, and ways to foster a more human-centered work culture. Thank you to all who attended!

In 2020, DDC formally acknowledged — the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States — as an official annual company holiday. DDC took this step as part of our commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice, providing our team with the opportunity to commemorate this historic day in meaningful ways. Whether through education, service, or celebration, our team members are encouraged to observe the day in a manner that resonates with them. The National Museum of African American History and Culture offers a wealth of educational opportunities, both in-person and digitally, to honor Juneteenth and deepen one's understanding of this vital aspect of American history. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/juneteenth.htm

DDC is proud to be a platinum sponsor of the and Summer Rooftop Reception on June 13. Several members of the DDC team will be in attendance, and we hope to see some familiar faces. Let us know if you're attending in the comments below!

Lucy Pieper, Vice President of Digital and Paid Media, and Joey Smith, Senior Vice President of Technology Delivery, will be attending the Public Affairs Council Digital Media and Advocacy Summit next week in Washington, DC. Keep an eye out for them if you're attending, and let us know in the comments below what session you're looking forward to most.

DDC SVP and Energy Practice Lead Katie Wright recently attended the Global CCS Institute 2024 Americas Forum on Carbon Capture and Storage. Learn more about the key issues keeping proponents up at night and why cultivating stakeholder support is essential to maintaining the political will needed to move projects forward in the U.S. and across the globe: https://bit.ly/3Kslbr8

Navigating Uncertainty Around CCUS: Insights from the Global CCS Institute Conference – DDC Public Affairs

We are excited to welcome Greg Graham as DDC's new EVP of Technology & Product. Greg brings a background in political science and more than 25 years of technological innovation and leadership that will ensure DDC's technology products and services continue to define the leading edge for our industry. Learn more about Greg here:

DDC Public Affairs Welcomes Greg Graham as Executive Vice President of Technology & Product – DDC Public Affairs

DDC’s practice lead Dan Sweet is at the BIO International Convention his week in San Diego. Be sure to look for him, and let us know in the comments below if you’ll be attending as well!

Today, we pause to remember and honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We are grateful for their legacy and the impact their bravery has on our lives today, allowing us the freedom to make our voices heard and advocate on issues that matter most to us.

DDC joined other members of the Omnicom PR Group network for a special Heritage Month Storytelling Session with Lan Phan, founder of the Community of SEVEN. She shared leadership secrets for creating cultures of purpose and fulfillment, especially during these challenging times. DDC VP and DEI Committee Chair Tracy Terrell, shares key takeaways for DDC's CLIMB initiative. https://bit.ly/44S3nPJ

Lan Phan - Founder, Chief Community Builder - community of SEVEN | LinkedIn “My mission is to help leaders discover their purpose and calling by mobilizing a community of growth minded leaders focused on creating systemic equality in the world.” Lan PhanLan Phan is one of the leading global experts on membership and community development, speaking at Fortune 500...

In May, we are congratulating team members across DDC who are celebrating their work anniversaries.

When asked what she is most proud of from her 20+ years with us, Shannon Manning said: “Helping DDC grow from a tech start-up to the mature public affairs agency it is today has been a great roller coaster ride, filled with amazing people and challenging work. I'm excited to be part of the next phase of DDC's growth as we continue to evolve our footprint in the market.”

Join us in congratulating Shannon and all those celebrating work anniversary at DDC this month!
~Katie Chipps: 3 years
~Aaron Cope: 13 years
~Dan Cordle: 24 years
~Molly Wiley: 8 years
~Shannon Manning: 20+ years
~Amy Minion: 18 years
~Franny Peterson-Sand: 3 years
~Katherine Purcell: 1 year
~Swapna Swamy: 15 years
~Emma Winstead: 2 years

Oh, the places DDC will take you! Last week, members of our Energy Upgrade California team traveled throughout California to train community organizations on the Power Saver Rewards program. They met with diverse groups across the state who are dedicated to uplifting their communities and providing beneficial resources. Once the meetings were done, the team was able to sneak in a bit of fun!

DDC is excited to announce that Benjamin Khoshbin has joined our team as an Account Supervisor. Ben is passionate about energy and environmental issues and specializes in public affairs and advocacy campaigns to effect policy change at the state and national levels. Welcome to DDC, Ben!

In today’s digital world, can spread like wildfire, tarnishing corporate reputations and instigating crisis. DDC VP of Digital and Paid Media Operations Lucy Pieper shares how—in today’s world, where activism is pervasive and stakeholders have greater power than ever before—our -powered platform helps clients understand how misinformation is influencing their stakeholders—and what they can do about it. https://bit.ly/4bsPlWy