Associate
Where did you grow up? Pittsburgh, PA
Education: Boston College
You would never believe I: won the state championship with my high school soccer team
The first thing I’d do as president: Pass climate legislation
Favorite word: Hello
Favorite song of all time: Hey Jude by The Beatles
What does GG stand for? Good Game
How would you describe yourself? More than anything else, a great writer
A few items left on my bucket list: Get a humor piece published in the New Yorker
Most embarrassing fact: Being the last person to complete my bio for the GG website
Chief Strategy Officer
Where did you grow up? NYC and CT
Education: Northwestern. Go cats!
Year started at GG: 2013
Your approach to strategic communications: It all starts with learning the business inside and out: the company objectives, competitors, industry challenges, the future of the space, etc. Establishing this foundation will equip you with the knowledge to develop a plan to move the business forward.
Client outcomes: Successful litigation outcomes; increased sales with key audiences and in target markets; positive press around major acquisitions
You would never believe: I went to acting camp.
Where do you get your news? NYT. Sorry folks, Twitter is not a news source.
Fantasy social media handle: @POTUS
The first thing I’d do as president: Hire GG
I can’t live without: Good & Plenty candy
Describe GG in a haiku:
Thoughtful advocates
We understand your business
And results driven
One sentence that captures the GG mission statement? GG helps leading companies and organizations share their point of view with the world.
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: Shooting guard for the NY Knicks. Feeling pretty good about my chances.
I like clients who: Are open to big ideas and stepping out of their comfort zone when strategic.
What I like in a coworker: Intelligence and willingness to disagree
What’s something your clients don’t know about you? I’m a mock trial state champion.
Associate
Where did you grow up? Various cities and towns across Massachusetts.
Education: Hofstra University
Client outcomes include: I once worked with a reporter over the course of a few months to finalize a feature article on a harmful development project in Haiti. The article solicited a response from the Haitian government, and ultimately held them accountable to a timeline for recourse for affected farmers and families.
You would never believe I: Haven’t met Mariah Carey yet (I can’t believe it either)
The first thing I’d do as president: Redecorate
Favorite word: Literally
Favorite movie genre: Pointless action movies
Guilty pleasure: All of my pleasures are guilt free!
What does GG stand for? Great Guidance
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: My mom
Childhood nickname: Shrimpie
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you? That I’m constantly bragging about them!
Principal
Where did you grow up? Westport, CT
Education: BA from Vassar College; MA from New York University
Year started at GG: 2005
Client focus areas include: Corporate, nonprofits, finance, professional services
Your approach to strategic communications: Honestly assess how you want to be perceived vs. how you are perceived – and then figure out the most strategic route for bridging that gap.
Client outcomes include: Increased national and international brand awareness; steady pipeline of incoming media opportunities; prominent thought-leadership piece placements; ongoing contributor opportunities
You would never believe: I was one of GG’s earliest employees.
My trivia category is: Pop culture
I can’t live without: Honey Green Honest Tea
Best attribute: Prodigious memory
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: An actress, an author, and a librarian.
Pet peeve: Excessive business jargon
Guilty pleasure: Parmesan Goldfish (a glorious pleasure)
How would you describe yourself? I keep an eye on the big picture while maintaining close attention to detail.
I like clients who: Are open-minded and excited about communications.
Favorite question to ask job candidates: What’s your favorite book?
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I’m the voice of the GG voicemail.
What’s something your clients don’t know about you? I love to sing.
Associate
Where did you grow up? Durham, NC
Education: UNC Chapel Hill
My trivia categories is: Obscure cultural history
I can’t live without: Avocados
Favorite getaway spot: Asheville, NC
Most embarrassing moment: A seagull swooped down and stole my Kohr’s ice cream cone in Ocean City
Pet peeve: Describing things as “classy”
Favorite NYC landmark: The Cloisters
Likes clients who: Have a strong sense of purpose
Favorite question to ask job candidates: How do you collaborate on a team?
What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I’m someone you want to have on your trivia team.
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you? I make an excellent martini.
Senior Associate
Where did you grow up? Queens, New York
Education: Macaulay Honors College (CUNY)
Unusual skill: Dog-grooming
You would never believe I: Rowed around the entirety of Manhattan twice!
My trivia category is: Trending TikTok songs.
Fantasy social media handle: @kangofqueens
Your proudest achievement: Teaching my puppy to respond to Korean commands
Pet peeve: Bad WiFi
What does GG stand for: GOAT Group
Three adjectives that describe GG: Creative, passionate, versatile
Item recently crossed off my bucket list: Watching the sunrise at the Grand Canyon
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you? I started backyard gardening recently – kale, lettuce, tomatoes galore!
Senior Associate
Where did you grow up? The People’s Republic of Madison, WI
Education: The University of Chicago
___________ buff: Roman history
The first thing I’d do as president: Public bathrooms on every corner
Favorite ice cream flavor: Pistachio (but I don’t really like ice cream. I’m a shame to my home state.)
Word: Petrichor
Most embarrassing moment: I was roasted by Colin Jost on Saturday Night Live.
Best attribute/worst attribute: I like to make people laugh/sometimes I do that at the wrong times
Who would play you in a movie: Jonah Hill
Things I like in a coworker: Someone who’s willing to laugh at the ridiculous things that happen at our job
What’s something your clients don’t know about you? If they would let me, I could spend every call just talking about the latest NBA drama
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you? You’re not getting that out of me. Nice try, colleagues!
Director
Where did you grow up? Scituate, MA
Education: Syracuse University
Year started at GG: 2019
Unusual skill: Catching lobsters
My trivia categories are: Movie quotes no one else seems to remember
I can’t live without: Pamplemousse La Croix
Favorite pizza topping: Pineapple and pepperoni
Favorite type of book: Psychological thriller
Guilty pleasure: Marriage or Mortgage
Three adjectives that describe your colleagues: Thoughtful, intelligent, enthusiastic
Favorite question to ask job candidates: What’s something people get wrong about you when they first meet you?
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you? How much I missed going into the office every day and seeing everyone!
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
Where did you grow up? Manalapan, NJ
Education: American University
Year started at GG: 2014
Your approach to strategic communications: Start with a client’s goals – whether that means growing their business or impacting policy – and stay laser-focused on them.
Hidden talents: I’m really good at remembering dates and names, to the point where people think it’s weird that I remember things so well.
My trivia category is: Geography
Fantasy social media handle: @theotherhillary
Last thing I do at work each day: Think about what I’m eating for dinner
Number of countries visited: 27
Describe GG in a haiku:
Public relations
Can help your business achieve
More than you’d have thought
Favorite sport: The GG dodgeball team
Favorite word: Discombobulated
Your proudest achievement: Successfully hiking a mountain in Norway at midnight
Three adjectives that describe you: Funny, ambitious, nerdy
Items recently crossed off my bucket list: Eat sushi at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo
I like clients who: Are willing to take a chance.
What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I learned to read by age 2.
Director
Where did you grow up? Queens and Long Island, but everyone wants me to “pick a side”
Education: Cornell University
Year started at GG: 2019
Unusual hobby: Being a Knicks fan
You would never believe I: Went to acting school when I was younger and auditioned for Nickelodeon.
Last thing I do at work each day is: Check in with my associate, a.k.a. my daily partner in crime.
Your proudest achievement: Jumping the 9th longest triple jump of all time in Cornell indoor track and field history
Guilty pleasure: Banana Nutella cake at Little Cupcake Bakeshop
Childhood nickname: King James
Item recently crossed off my bucket list: Hike a mountain in Colorado
A few items left on my bucket list: Visiting West Africa and learning about my history/ancestry
Additional GG titles: Director of Memes, Director of Outdoor Engagement
Senior Vice President,
Operations
Where did you grow up? New Rochelle, NY
Education: BA from Vassar College
Year started at GG: 2013
Your approach to strategic communications: Think about who is on the receiving end of your message and who is delivering it. Then think about everything in between.
Client outcomes include: Confident spokespeople; contained crises; top-tier feature stories, commentary, and opinion pieces; new business opportunities and partnerships stemming from media exposure
Unusual skills or hidden talents: Parallel parking, unsubscribing from email newsletters, finding a way to read my book no matter how crowded the subway is
You would never believe: I have never drank a cup of coffee.
Favorite word: Eavesdrop
Describe GG in a haiku:
Smart people who care
Plus good clients with big goals
Make the world better
Number of countries visited: 17
Proudest achievement: I was a semifinalist in a cooking competition judged by Ina Garten, my idol and queen of the Food Network.
Pet peeve: If it’s after 1pm, it’s no longer brunch. It’s just lunch.
Three adjectives that describe your colleagues: Astute, empathetic, spunky
Who would play you in a movie? Meryl Streep
Most embarrassing moment: I was harassed and then chased by an angry wild turkey at a suburban bus stop during my first month of work at GG.
Associate
Where did you grow up? Chicago, IL
Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You would never believe I: Have baked over 5,000 cookies in less than a month.
The first thing I’d do as president: Ban mosquitoes.
Favorite word: Hullaballoo
Pet peeve: When people spoil a TV show or movie.
What does GG stand for?: Groundbreaking Geniuses
Best attribute/worst attribute: Best: Honest, Worst: Brutally Honest
Childhood nickname: Poppin fresh
Who would play you in a movie? Keke Palmer
What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I spent 6 years working in early childhood education.
Associate, Marketing &
Business Development
Where did you grow up? Jersey City and Hoboken, NJ
Education: Wesleyan University
Hidden talent: I can yo-yo
My trivia category is: Latin word roots
Social media alter ego: @Perf_Paragraph on Twitter
The first thing I’d do as president: Mandate that all dresses have pockets
I can’t live without: Cheese
Favorite pizza topping: Ricotta, prosciutto, red pepper flakes, and honey
Favorite book: Civilwarland in Bad Decline by George Saunders
Favorite word: Scintilla
Pet peeve: Aloofness
Most embarrassing fact: I wore a headband every single day until I was in the tenth grade.
Childhood nickname: Mule
What’s something that most people don’t know about you? My great aunt is in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Vice President
Where did you grow up? Spring Lake, NJ
Education: BA from Cornell University, MA from New York University
Year started at GG: 2019
Your approach to strategic communications: Deeply understanding a client’s business goals and offering candid advice to help them achieve those aims
Client outcomes include: Securing media placements that have a tangibly positive impact on their businesses
You would never believe: I won the National Spelling Bee in 2006.
Social media alter ego: @itsmemallow_g (I run my dog’s Instagram account – a failed attempt at transforming him into a revenue-generating social media star.)
I can’t live without: Guacamole.
Favorite book: Pride & Prejudice
Favorite word: Ursprache
Favorite song of all time: Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
Your proudest achievement: Finishing my first marathon
What does GG stand for: Gritty Gurus
Best attribute/worst attribute Grit / stubbornness
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: An Academy Award-winning actress.
Things I like in a coworker: Someone who always comes to the table with new ideas; is willing to go out of their way to help you out
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Where did you grow up? Long Island, but don’t hold it against me.
Education? The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
Year started at GG: 2017
My trivia category is: 70s and 80s pop culture
I can’t live without: Tennis
Favorite song of all time: “Best of My Love” by The Emotions
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: A Broadway star.
Proudest achievement: My husband and kids; A close second: together with my husband, co-champions of the Joe Norton Valentine’s Day Point Play Tennis Tournament
What does GG stand for? Goal-oriented Go-getters
Your best attribute/worst attribute: Empathetic / impatient
What was your childhood nickname? Greeny
What’s your pet peeve: When my husband and kids play practical jokes on me
Number of countries visited: 31 (and counting…)
A few items left on my bucket list: 31 countries visited and (at least) 31 more to go
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I missed my calling as a psychologist.
Vice President, Strategy
Where did you grow up? Natick, MA
Education? Fordham University
Year started at GG: 2017
Client focus areas include: Real estate, affordable housing, and nonprofit and advocacy organizations.
Client outcomes include: National broadcast placements; top-tier opinion placements; changes to state policy; successful city and state budget campaigns.
Where do you get your news? As many sources as possible – national print and broadcast, local New York outlets, and my clients’ favorite trades outlets.
My trivia category is: British royal family.
Fantasy social media handle: @notashley
Write one sentence that captures the GG mission statement: We become a part of your team to help you achieve your communications goals.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee! I make my own ice cream at home. Can’t be beat.
Proudest achievement: GG PR Olympics Gold Medalist
Most embarrassing moment: On my way to my interview at GG I rode the elevator with two GGers I recognized from the website and accidentally eavesdropped on their conversation.
What’s your pet peeve? An inefficiently loaded office dishwasher
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: A spy.
Favorite NYC neighborhood: Arthur Avenue in the Bronx
Item recently crossed off my bucket list: Working from home for 90 days in a row
I like clients who: Are willing to take bold steps.
What’s something most people don’t know about you? When I was 10, I was honored at the Massachusetts State House for co-leading a climate change advocacy campaign.
Associate
Where did you grow up? Irvington, New York
Education: Hamilton College
Unusual skills: Juggling a soccer ball (with my feet)
Describe GG in a haiku:
Communicating
With pleasure, purpose, and poise
To help serve your goals
Most embarrassing moment/fact I was on Hamilton College’s rowing team for not even a full semester, but for several semesters, they reposted a picture on social media of me, rowing, with horrible form and a not-so-pretty facial expression anytime there was an upcoming regatta
Three adjectives that describe GG: Gritty, dynamic, intentional
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: A presidential speechwriter (a.k.a. Sam Seaborn from The West Wing)
A few items left on my bucket list: Seeing the New York Rangers hoist the Stanley Cup
Favorite question to ask job candidates: What’s a PR issue in the news that you would have handled differently?
What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I have an ice cream flavor named after me (Chocolate MELtdown, still sold at a local ice cream store in Tarrytown, New York)
Pets: I have a tortoise named Randall
Chief Executive
Where did you grow up? Detroit Rock City
Education: BA from Penn; JD/MBA from Columbia
Pre-GG: Attorney at Skadden. Clinton administration. SS+K.
Year started GG: 2005
What inspired you to start Group Gordon? I saw a need in the market for a firm that excelled both strategically and tactically.
Describe GG in a haiku:
Focus on the group
We put our employees first
Pays off for clients
Three adjectives that describe GG: Persistent, strategic, assertive
My trivia category is: Grammar
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate peanut butter
What does GG stand for? Green Giant
Proudest achievement: My wife and kids. A close second: together with my wife, three-time champion of the Tyler Place Week 10.5 B-level Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament. A close third: my one-sentence music blog down below that I update very infrequently.
What was your childhood nickname? Flash Gordon
Three adjectives that describe you: Young, scrappy, and hungry
What’s left on your bucket list? Seeing the Lions win the Super Bowl
What’s something your clients don’t know about you? I’m the last of seven children in a “yours, mine, and ours” family.
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I’m obsessed with Casey Kasem.
What I’m listening to these days: Lissie’s Carving Canyons on repeat (anyone else hear Stevie Nicks?). Loving Andy Frasco’s Wash, Rinse, Repeat. Big fan of Penn pal John Legend’s Legend. Run, don’t walk, to Six:The Musical and its cast recording.
Associate
Where did you grow up? Mount Airy, MD
Education: B.A. from University of Virginia
You would never believe I: was a published poet at ten years old.
Fantasy social media handle: @banksy
Favorite ice cream flavor: Neopolitan because I can’t choose just one
Favorite sport: F1
Guilty pleasure:: Buying more books than I could ever possibly read
What does GG stand for?: Game-changing Gladiators
Three adjectives that describe you: Empathetic, Enthusiastic, Honest
Childhood nickname: Elmo
Favorite question to ask job candidates: Talk about a time that you failed at something and what you learned from the experience.
What’s something that most people don’t know about you? I think Dolly Parton is the greatest human to have ever lived. No further questions please.
What’s something your clients don’t know about you? How exciting I think their work is!
Senior Associate
Where did you grow up? Dix Hills, NY
Education: The Newhouse School at Syracuse University
Year started at GG: 2020
Your approach to strategic communications: Start with the business goals, align the communications goals, and know them like the back of your hand
You would never believe I: Am an expert on all things supernatural
Fantasy social media handle: @CaptainMorgan
The first thing I’d do as president: Implement free ice cream on weekends
Favorite song of all time: Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
Your proudest achievement: All Around Camper at sleepaway camp
Most embarrassing fact: I’m a cat lady
Pet peeve: Commercials
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: An archaeologist
Likes clients who: Dream big
Associate
Where did you grow up? Nashville, TN
Education: New York University
Unusual skills: I can talk with my mouth closed
You would never believe I: Went to high school in Sioux City, IA
The first thing I’d do as president: Read all the secret files that aren’t public
Favorite sport: Basketball
Favorite word: Vegan
Pet peeve: Slow walkers
Three adjectives that describe your colleagues: Generous, genuine, gracious
Items recently crossed off my bucket list: Graduating college, living in New York, seeing my favorite artist perform live
What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you? I tore my ACL skiing down a black diamond.
Associate
Where did you grow up? Stockton, CA
Education: Trinity University
You would never believe I: Was once a world champion in Hunger Games trivia
Writing implement of choice: The pens I’ve collected from hotel rooms over the years
Most embarrassing moment: Tripping and dislocating my kneecap in front of most of my high school
Pet peeve: People checking their phones when we’re talking
Guilty pleasure: Hallmark Christmas Movies
Three adjectives that describe GG: Clever, dependable, ambitious
Worst attribute: Terrible sense of direction
When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be: Nancy Drew
Likes clients who: Leave space for creativity
Associate
Where did you grow up? Baltimore, MD
Education: Fordham University
Unusual skills: Finding almost anything secondhand
You would never believe I: Bungee jumped off the highest bungee bridge in the world when I was 16
Fantasy social media handle: @nycfoodcritic
The first thing I’d do as president: Create a national distribution of New York bagels
I can’t live without: My New York Public Library card
Favorite word: Ramshackle
Number of countries visited: 15
Most embarrassing moment: Having a pigeon poop on me while giving a tour of my college campus
Pet peeve: When people mix up “awhile” and “a while”
Favorite NYC landmark: New York Botanical Gardens
Likes clients who: Are excited to think outside the box
Favorite question to ask job candidates: What’s your favorite PR fail and why?
