Kirsten has unequaled communication, public relations and public affairs experience. She’s a professional strategist who has excelled in all types of high exposure communications. Seasoned. Fast on her feet. Pressure tested. Through her vast experience in national and statewide politics, non-profit development, and corporate public relations, Kirsten has established a reputation as a leader who can recommend the right communication strategy for every situation, no matter how unique.

Before starting K2, Kirsten led communications on some of the highest profile political campaigns in the country giving her unmatched experience in the political process and access to leaders up to the highest offices in the U.S. Kirsten’s communications experience brought her from the House of Representatives to a successful U.S. Senate campaign. She also served for five years as the National Press Secretary for a National Political Committee. She served as Communications Director for a presidential campaign before leading the communications operations for a 2016 National Convention. Kirsten accepted a fellowship at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics where she taught a course called “The American Political Playbook – Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It,” analyzing the 2016 election.

She has unmatched experience in crisis communications, media relations, communications planning and strategy, grassroots advocacy, social media campaigns, media placement, opposition research, media booking, media training and writing.

Kirsten now uses her understanding of the political process and connections to help companies, nonprofits and associations navigate tough situations whether it’s building an advocacy campaign or developing a communications strategy.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Elk River, Minnesota
• Personal Motto: Get to Yes. Work Hard, Play Hard
• Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice
• Favorite Quote: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
• Favorite Sport: I grew up playing softball year-round and love the game. As a spectator, I love watching baseball.
• Dream Client: Minnesota Twins
• Favorite show to binge watch: Criminal Minds
• Favorite Podcast: Missing in Alaska
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A trip to Hawaii
• Where would we find you in your free time: Reading, working out, watching a sporting events
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I walked onto the crew team in college.

Kristen is a development and fundraising expert who brings nearly two decades of experience to work for her clients. She creates transformational change, helping clients navigate donors, fundraising, grants and relationship building. Whether it’s a statewide political candidate seeking election or a nonprofit looking to spread and grow in their mission, Kristen is unparalleled in finding success through a combination of big picture thinking and executing tactics down to the smallest detail.

Kristen has led fundraising teams and coordinated raising tens of millions of dollars over the past decade. Her fundraising expertise stems from years of experience building comprehensive development plans and coordinating fundraising for political clients and nonprofits. Whether it’s fundraising, grassroots or engaging media to build thought leadership and gain positive exposure, Kristen is a focused achiever who excels in developing and executing clear, organized plans to achieve measurable results and long-term sustainability.

Kristen spent her teenage years volunteering hours at local mission driven organizations – and it’s where she learned that she has a passion for helping others and making a difference. She knew she wanted to bring that mission-driven work into a career. She cut her political and fundraising teeth on campaigns in the early 2000s and then spent time growing and leading in public affairs and development work before starting K2 & Co. in 2017.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
• Personal Motto: If at first you don’t succeed – try again!
• Favorite Book: The Go Giver, Mans Search for Meaning (by far my favorite!)
• Favorite Quote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way” – Viktor Frankl
• Favorite Sport: I don’t play a sport, I rarely watch sports unless my son is playing, but I do love all things PiYo (Pilates + Yoga) and Turbokick that I teach them in my spare time
• Dream Client: Beachbody, Clean Wine Company or Godiva Chocolate
• Favorite show to binge watch: I’m documentary obsessed now and Beachfront Bargain Hunt
• Favorite Podcast: NPR How I Built This, The Chalene Show for all things health and business, Entreleadership, The John Maxwell Podcast
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A home on St. John
• Where would we find you in your free time: Always with my family…..and in PiYo studio or by the water (Caribbean, Pacific, St. Croix River, Lake Erie or pile of snow in my backyard!)
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I’m equal parts health nut and food junkie. Following a trip to the yoga studio…pizza, chocolate and wine would make a perfect meal for me!

Brittany joined K2 & Co as the Senior Communications Director to help candidates and political action committees across the country with social media planning, interview preparation, media training, and day-to-day communications operations. She brings years of experience in political communications and a deep understanding of the legislative process. Whether writing, editing, pitching, or interviewing, Brittany has worked with local and national press across the country.

After attending college at Villanova University, she went on to work on Capitol Hill, where she served as a staff assistant, legislative correspondent, and communications director to various Members of Congress over four years. After leaving Capitol Hill, Brittany joined the Administration and worked in the Communications Department at the White House where she supported Governors’ offices, Cabinet Secretaries and agencies, as well as House and Senate offices with press releases, op-eds, and the distribution of talking points to ensure consistent messaging. Following the Administration, she joined the RNC where she helped state parties with social media planning, media relations, and best practices for operating a communications shop.

Prior to joining K2, Brittany was the spokesperson and communications director for a U.S. Senate race, managing and executing the campaign’s day-to-day communication’s operations. She is a detail oriented, team player committed to providing quality messaging and communications support to her clients.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
• Personal Motto: Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it to happen, and take steps to make it happen.
• Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Favorite Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
• Favorite Sport: I was a dancer and a runner growing up, but as a spectator, I enjoy watching hockey and football
• Dream Client: Any fashion company
• Favorite show to binge watch: New Girl
• Favorite Podcast: Ruthless
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A one way ticket to somewhere exotic
• Where would we find you in your free time: Relaxing, working out, or exploring new restaurants
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I don’t have any first cousins

Hailing from Dallas, Houston Keene is a political communications professional and former nationally syndicated investigative journalist with over seven years of combined experience in the field. With an unparalleled eye for stories, a sharp inquisitiveness, and accurate, truthful reporting, Houston established himself as a crack reporter quickly in his career.

Before joining K2, Houston worked in the highest echelons of conservative journalism and the halls of Congress. He previously worked as a journalist for Fox News Digital covering Congress, campaigns, the presidency, and the political zeitgeist of America while interviewing notable people from presidential candidates to a member of America’s 1992 Olympic basketball Dream Team.

Prior to Fox News, Houston served as the deputy director of communications for a Texas conservative member of Congress where he handled the drafting of internal and external communications for the congressman. Houston also worked at a smaller online publication as well as a conservative Pennsylvania member of Congress. His specialties lie in written content and communications, including opinion pieces, social media management, press releases, and more.

With excellence in both accuracy and expedience, his breadth of experience in the media industry, as well as his “Keene” eye for viral online content, Houston has a track record of success with his writing.

Fun Facts:
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Personal Motto: Keep the faith, baby!
Favorite book: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Favorite quote: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:13
Favorite Sport: Football
Dream Client: My Dallas Cowboys
Favorite show to binge watch: More of a video games guy, but it’s got to be Scrubs
Favorite Podcast: NADDPOD
First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A Scottish castle
Where would we find you in your free time: Playing video games or writing
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I play several instruments including the guitar, ukulele, and tuba

Noah Evans is a rapid response and strategic communications professional, specializing in political campaigns.

Noah has worked on some of the highest-level campaigns in recent memory, including multiple presidential campaigns, statewide races and battleground campaigns across the country.

Throughout his career, Noah has created and implemented strategic communication plans, generated media content and pushed narratives to a local and national audience. His experience, work ethic, and fast-paced style have allowed him to quickly respond to breaking news stories, reporters and social media.

Before joining K2, Noah led the rapid response operation for North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum’s presidential campaign. Noah honed his rapid response and strategic communication skills at Targeted Victory, working with the NRCC, who successfully flipped the House of Representatives in 2022.

Previously, Noah ran Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s Rapid Response team as a part of his gubernatorial campaign. In this role, Noah focused on breaking news stories and their strategic response on a local and national level.

Additionally, Noah was part of Senator Cynthia Lummis’ Senate Communications team and served as a War Room Analyst on Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.

Noah graduated with a B.A. in Political Science (like everyone else in DC in 2020).

Fun Facts:

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Personal Motto: Breathe

Favorite Book: Crime and Punishment

Favorite Quote: “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you can.” – John Wesley

Favorite Sport: My fantasy football team

Dream Client: Dr. Pepper

Favorite show to binge watch: Arrested Development

Favorite Podcast: Myths and Legends

First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A one-way plane ticket to somewhere far, far, away

Where would we find you in your free time: Hiking the Grand Canyon or the steep streets of Chinatown in San Francisco, sleeping under the stars at the Grand Tetons or the Serengeti, or drinking cheap whiskey from a rooftop on a Tuesday

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I spent 5 months in Tanzania working with a refugee camp

Chelsea helps her clients navigate the complex worlds of media, political engagement and issue advocacy, delivering meaningful results.

At K2 & Co. she manages a variety of clients, specializing in health care, agriculture, energy issues, community-based nonprofits, and creating and executing strategic communications plans. In her time at K2, she has hosted numerous congressional roundtables on behalf of several national trade associations, planned and executed a recruiting event for a global retail giant, provided communication director services for a local association, and collaborated with numerous Fortune 500s to build thought leadership on behalf of coalitions and issue advocacy efforts.

Chelsea is a skilled public relations, public affairs and communications professional known for building relationships with press, policymakers and grasstops and grassroots advocates, tailoring messaging to fit brands and engage diverse audiences, and creating compelling media narratives. She has extensive experience building coalitions, helping clients through strategic and crisis communications planning, and preparing leaders to engage with media.

Before joining K2, Chelsea started her career as a communications intern for a gubernatorial campaign in 2010. She then joined the Minnesota House of Representatives where she spent eight years, including five years as a communications specialist. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Journalism in advertising and political science.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
• Personal Motto: Travel often
• Favorite Book: So hard to choose! Harry Potter, anything Neil Gaiman, Pride and Prejudice, Odd Thomas…
• Favorite Quote: “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.” – Oscar Wilde
• Favorite Sport: Football. Go Patriots!
• Dream Client: The New England Patriots or an animal rescue charity
• Favorite show to binge watch: Arrested Development or Bob’s Burgers
• Favorite Podcast: I think I am the only person left who hasn’t gotten into podcasts yet. Taking recommendations!
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A plane ticket!
• Where would we find you in your free time: By the pool in the summer, watching football on Sundays, or binging a good TV show when it is too cold outside.
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I have no musical talent of any kind!

Justin brings years of experience in campaign and non-profit communications. Whether writing, editing, pitching, or interviewing, Justin has worked with press across the country on campaigns and issues with national visibility.

At K2, Justin’s work has spanned 10 states in the greater midwest and beyond, bringing clients wins in their media outreach and grassroots efforts. Whether it’s coalition building, securing local media coverage, or landing a national booking, Justin has done it all for his clients.

His start in communications came in the form of regional press outreach on a 2016 presidential primary campaign, gaining experience writing, pitching, and working closely with reporters to tell the candidate’s story. From there, he joined a National Convention team, a college-engagement driven political committee, and a gubernatorial campaign before making a switch to non-profit work.

Prior to joining K2, Justin was a part of a Chicago-based non-profit and was tasked with developing a strategic initiative to better tell the stories of the children and families they serve. He is an energetic, focused team player committed to providing quality messaging and communications support to his clients.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
• Personal Motto: Trust your Gut
• Favorite Book: My Losing Season by Pat Conroy
• Favorite Quote: “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long” – Lao Tse, Tao Te Ching
• Favorite Sport: To watch, football, but to play – Water Polo
• Dream Client: The Philadelphia Eagles
• Favorite show to binge watch: Guy’s Grocery Games
• Favorite Podcast: More of an Audiobook guy
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 of Goldfinger fame (though I’d have to learn to drive stick first)
• Where would we find you in your free time: Working on the house or laying around with my cats, Banana and Peanut Butter
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I’m an expert on all things Batman

Preya has spent nearly a decade telling stories through various lenses in the political field. A hardened communications professional, she has experience working in statewide and national politics.

Having worked with state parties, statewide candidates, and national campaigns from the Dakotas to Ohio, she has developed a deep understanding of how to navigate complex political landscapes and deliver results.

Throughout her career, she has constructed strategic communications plans, created compelling content, built and executed events to coalesce support for a number of political candidates, generate media narratives, and has prioritized building relationships with grassroots activists and the media.

Before joining K2, Preya spent five years on the regional team of the RNC where she supported candidates for statewide and federal office across the Midwest, and helped lead the national party’s state response throughout the 2020 Iowa caucuses. Before that, she spent time covering state politics as a journalist and worked on a few campaigns in Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with dual degrees in Political Science and Sociology, with a focus on Law, Crime, and Deviance and has her Masters in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University.

Fun Facts: 

• Hometown: Minneapolis, MN 
• Personal Motto: People are like puzzles, they take time and patience to understand.
• Favorite Book: Chronicles of Narnia and Little House Series
• Favorite Quote: “You can often change your circumstances by changing our attitude.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
• Favorite Sport: Football
• Dream Client: The NFL’s Super Bowl Division
• Favorite Show to Binge Watch: Community, Veep, and Criminal Minds
• Favorite Podcast: Morbid, Bone Valley, and American History Tellers
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A 10-acre farm not far from the ocean
• Where would we find you in your free time: Reading, doing something in the yard with my dog, or casually wandering around Target with Starbucks.
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I sing and play a few instruments.

Allison helps her clients leverage the right tools and platforms to achieve meaningful engagement and increase brand awareness. She is a detail-oriented and data-driven communications professional with vast experience in the digital media industry.

Driven by results, Allison takes pride in providing creative and effective solutions to reach your target audience. She is constantly adapting to the ever changing digital landscape.

Before joining K2, Allison started her career at Center of the American Experiment, Minnesota’s leading public policy institution. There she helped build up a communications marketing machine that reached more people than ever before.

She graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA, with a Bachelor of Science in Political Communication and a minor in Journalism.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Greenville, SC
• Personal Motto: “The grass is greener where you water it.”
• Favorite Book: “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt
• Favorite Quote: “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” ― Abraham Lincoln
• Favorite Sport: Hockey
• Dream Client: Chick-Fil-A
• Favorite show to binge watch: The Office or Parks and Recreation
• Favorite Podcast: The Ruthless Variety Progrum
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A beach house
• Where would we find you in your free time: Reading, traveling, keeping up on the latest trends
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: When people ask me where I’m from I always have trouble answering! I have lived in 6 different states and now Minnesota. My favorite place is South Carolina where I was born, but the coolest place was Alaska. I usually say to people I’m just from America!

Alex joins K2 & Co as an Account Executive and is dedicated to the task of making sure his clients thrive. He has spent nearly a decade in the political field tackling a variety of roles affecting local, state, and national politics.

He possesses a great passion for advocacy with a determination to match. Alex is focused on building relationships and pursuing the most effective strategies for his clients to get wins on the board.

Before joining K2, Alex worked for a D.C.-based political research organization as a media research analyst focused on client projects, rapid response analysis, and public accountability.

Alex graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a degree in History.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: DeForest, WI
• Personal Motto: Everything in life is a battle of inches. Whether it’s work life or personal life, always fight for that inch.
• Favorite Book: Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong
• Favorite Quote: “A Leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu
• Favorite Sport: Football (Go Pack Go!)
• Dream Client: The Green Bay Packers or Paradox Interactive
• Favorite show to binge watch: Band of Brothers
• Favorite Podcast: Not Another D&D Podcast (NADDPOD)
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A big house with a lakefront.
• Where would we find you in your free time: Out on trivia night, playing airsoft, or at the movie theatre.
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: During my time studying with the United Nations in New York I met with the diplomatic staff from over 20 member nations.

Brenna has spent the last decade of her career working for various non-profits focusing on event planning logistics and fundraising. She has experience planning gala’s, walk/runs, stair climbs, golf events, award celebrations, annual meetings, local community events, intimate donor gatherings, and many more. Brenna also has experience working with various event committees and boards and has a strong history of organizing event day volunteers.

Brenna started her career planning client appreciation events, financial workshops, and surprise and delight opportunities for a national financial firm. Brenna also worked as a premium club host for the Minnesota Vikings.

Brenna has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations with a minor in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota located in Winona, Minnesota.

Fun Facts

• Hometown: Kasson, MN
• Personal Motto: Whatever you are be a good one – Abraham Lincoln
• Favorite Book: The Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett
• Favorite Quote: Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. – Maya Angelou
• Favorite Sport: I am into sports food! I Love the Twins because I get to be outside with my family otherwise, whatever my boys are playing at any given time.
• Dream Client: Bravo
• Favorite show to binge watch: Ted Lasso, Welcome to Wrexham, Bravo, The Kardashians & Food Network
• Favorite Podcast: Best Friend Energy, Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen
• First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery: A Vineyard in Sonoma
• Where would we find you in your free time: Spending time in our backyard with my family.
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I enjoy learning to make and perfect traditional recipes, dishes
• I love, and things that look good on the food network.

Megan spent her college years as a Division I track and field athlete followed by years training for the Olympics. Her experience as a high level athlete taught her how to overcome obstacles while properly managing her time. Additionally she is goal oriented, determined and confident.

Since graduation Megan spent time working events at country clubs across the country and brings an incredible eye for detail. She joined the K2 team with a drive to bring the best service to our fundraising and event clients.

Megan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism with a minor in Business Administration from The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Fun Facts:

• Hometown: Eagan, MN
• Personal Motto: If you believe it, you can achieve it
• Favorite Book: “Daisy Jones and The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Favorite Quote: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” -Dumbledore in Harry Potter
• Favorite Sport: Track is my favorite sport to play but I am also a golf fanatic and keep up closely with the PGA Tour
• Dream Client: Sweetgreens
• Favorite show to binge watch: The Bachelor
• Favorite Podcast: Absolutely Not, Heather McMahan
• First thing you’d do if you won the lottery: Take a long trip to Europe
• Where would we find you in your free time: I love to stay active so most days I am at the gym after work, I also enjoy going on walks and going out to dinner with family and friends
• Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you: I love cooking and baking especially for family holidays. I am always on the hunt for new unique recipes!