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Our Team

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TARRAH COOPER WRIGHT

CEO + Founder

Tarrah strategically helps clients harness traditional and digital media for business development, reputation management and crisis communications. 

Meet Tarrah

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DARLENE HILL

Executive VP

With more than 30 years of experience, Darlene has deep expertise in media relations, content creation and storytelling.

Meet Darlene

Kiera Ellis

KIERA ELLIS

Vice President

Kiera is former senior advisor to the Democratic Party of Illinois Chair and press secretary for Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Meet Kiera

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DANIELLE JONES, CMP

VP, Events

Danielle is an event design and production pro who is known for creation modern, magical and one-of-a-kind event experiences.

Meet Danielle

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ANNA BOISSEAU

Senior Director, Content

Anna is an award-winning writer with experience crafting compelling narratives for nonprofits, government entities, businesses and media outlets.

Meet Anna

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FAITH HOLLAND

Account Director

Faith has more than a decade of experience in storytelling, media relations and content creation. 

Meet Faith

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LIZ VARGAS

Account Director

Liz joins our LA team with extensive experience working with nonprofit, government, consumer, corporate, and small business clients.

Meet Liz

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IAN WATTS

Senior Writer

Ian Watts has more than a decade of experience in communications for businesses, nonprofits and government officials.

Meet Ian

Ilise Angel

ILISE ANGEL

Senior Associate

Ilise joins Rise as a previous intern and recent graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. 

Meet Ilise

Alessandra Esquivel

ALESSANDRA ESQUIVEL

Associate

Alessandra joins Rise as a previous intern and recent graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. 

Meet Alessandra

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MILES TURNER

Fellow

Myles is a communications major with a passion for media and storytelling.

Meet Myles

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TARA SWORDS

Chief Content Officer + Partner

Tara is an accomplished writer who helps individuals and organizations tell the stories that matter to their stakeholders, customers and the public.

 

Meet Tara

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ALEX COMISAR

Executive VP, West Coast Lead

Alex, a media relations and crisis comms expert​, previously served as comms director to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for six years.

Meet Alex

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ANNIE MCDONELL

Vice President, People & Resources

Annie is a natural leader with an innate ability to connect with people, foster collaboration, and build high-performing teams.

Meet Annie

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MARIA AMEZQUITA

Vice President

Maria joins rise with experience in account management, social media, and English and Spanish-language media relations.

 

Meet Maria

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DANIELLA DIMARTINO

Vice President

Daniella is an award-winning professional with more than 10 years of experience in public relations, marketing and social media. 

Meet Daniella

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MARY KATE FRANZ

Account Director

With nearly ten years of experience in communications, Mary Kate Franz specializes in media relations, events, and strategic partnerships.

Meet Mary Kate

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TARA SIMPSON

Senior Designer

Tara is an expert visual problem solver who brings over ten years of design, identity and project management experience to Rise.

Meet Tara

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JENNA PIEHL

Digital Marketing Manager

Jenna is a senior at Northwestern University studying journalism and legal studies at the Medill School of Journalism. 

Meet Jenna

Julianna Zitron

JULIANNA ZITRON

Senior Associate

Julianna joins Rise as a previous intern and recent graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. 

Meet Julianna

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ALANNAH DAVIDSON

Associate

Alannah brings experience in social media and a strong understanding of audience behavior to her work at Rise.

Meet Alannah

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