Rebecca is a trained newspaper reporter who has built a career and a company focused on growing the professional capacity of women in communications while supporting clients who prioritize inclusivity and progress. 

Throughout the past 15+ years, she’s led communications teams for a national nonprofit, political campaigns, specializing in message development, candidate prep and press outreach, and federal and state government projects. Her favorite work is when she gets to develop strategy and write for movements and coalitions bringing forward community demands to change laws and shape policy.

Rebecca has a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield’s Public Affairs Reporting program, where she started her career as a print reporter in the Statehouse Press Room. A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Rebecca lives in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood and is mom to Vida, Desi and Alma.

Isabelle is a communications, public policy and research professional with experience working on statewide media and public education campaigns, statewide, countywide and citywide political campaigns, advocacy campaigns, nonprofit organizations, and in state government. She specializes in communicating about complex policy topics for a broad audience, and has provided strategy and messaging to Chicago Aldermen, state-wide elected officials, and candidates up and down the ticket, including mayoral and gubernatorial candidates. Isabelle is also experienced in working with coalitions to build consensus around messaging and provide strategic guidance to groups of divergent thinkers.

Isabelle has a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School, an M.A. in English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, where she graduated summa cum laude in English Literature with a minor in Mandarin. She is a member of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. She currently teaches a course in persuasive communication for graduate students at the University of Chicago Harris School.

Isabelle lives in Logan Square with her partner and their dogs, frenemies Orlando (pug) & George (doodle).

Markeya is a former journalist turned communications strategist who has led earned and paid media strategies for local, state, and national political races, racial justice campaigns, national finance and insurance policy, climate change and environmental justice, international climate policy, and science communications strategies.

She also helps nonprofits establish and build brands as they launch their organizations and prepare to communicate to change the hearts and minds of their target audiences through messaging, theory of change strategies, and celebrity engagement.

Markeya uses transformative justice communications and accountability frameworks to help shape strategies for moving toward sustainable change. She helps her clients connect the dots between where they are now and the future they dream of.

Markeya graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. She recently returned to the Chicagoland area to raise her little on the land that has provided for her family for generations.

Jaclyn is a former reporter turned media professional who has a deep passion for the free press and the role it has in the preservation of our democracy. Most recently serving as the first woman spokesperson for the Illinois Speaker of the House, Jaclyn helped lead communications for the super-majority House Democratic Caucus through passage and implementation of major policy proposals such as the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, the codification of reproductive health care, one of the nation’s first assault weapons bans, and much more. 

Prior to her role in the Speaker’s office, Jaclyn was an award-winning journalist covering local news and politics in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. She has worked to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with reporters in markets across the Midwest, and brings with her a strong understanding of newsroom mechanics and media management. 

Jaclyn has a bachelor’s degree in History from Monmouth College, graduating with an endorsement in Secondary Education. She also holds a master’s degree in journalism from DePaul University in Chicago. While she thoroughly enjoyed her time in various states across the Midwest, Jaclyn is proud to have planted her roots in southern Illinois near her family farm with her partner, James, and her twin boys, Jay and Jax. 

Olivia is a digital marketing, social media and media relations professional focused on creating meaningful and engaging multi-media campaigns to connect consumers to messages and/or resources statewide, while generating brand awareness and real-time results. Her digital marketing and public relations experience spans more than seven years for a variety of clients including government agencies, elected officials, coalitions, non-profits and small businesses.

Olivia has developed and executed paid marketing and public relations strategies for clients which converted into increased revenue, voter engagement, brand awareness, social media growth, and media in major media markets throughout the country. At Stomping Ground, Olivia leads digital and social media campaigns for everything from multi-million dollar paid media and outreach campaigns to highly nimble small dollar campaigns.

Olivia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a concentration in Marketing from North Central College where she played softball. She holds certificates in digital marketing from Harvard University’s Extension School and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Ben is a multi-media specialist with expertise in both paid and organic social media, comprehensive email marketing programs and public relations campaigns. His skillful writing supports social media and press work for Stomping Ground Strategies’ nonprofit, political and government clients, and he’s especially passionate about establishing and enhancing a client’s digital presence.

Ben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Political Science from Augustana College in the Quad Cities, and he currently lives in a suburb of Chicago.

Sam Suarez is a graphic designer with more than 13 years of experience in a variety of industries, including: publications, government, nonprofits, environmental organizations, small business groups and political campaigns at every level.

Sam graduated with a B.A. in Interactive Media Studies and Sociology from North Central College, where she was a campus leader in various multicultural and entrepreneurial organizations. Sam saw how graphic design—with cultural nuance—can help persuade and educate for change.