OUR TEAM
Jeff has been at the forefront of many successful initiatives and campaigns at the local, regional and national levels. His career has been dedicated to providing strategic direction and problem-solving for the organizations, causes, candidates, philanthropists, foundations, and businesses that improve our communities. Jeff’s nationally recognized work includes strategic guidance on media, communications, organizational development, public affairs, advocacy, and marketing. He has developed and managed diverse projects for local and national clients in support of education, the environment, arts and culture, economic development, healthcare, justice, transportation, human services, professional sports facilities, and other critical public interest issues.
He has directed campaigns that have resulted in billions of dollars in public funding for the region’s and state’s important assets, including the original 2006 countywide ballot initiative that established Cuyahoga Arts & Culture - one of the top local funders of arts and culture in the US. Jeff also led the successful campaign to renew this tax, which passed by the largest margin of any tax issue in Cuyahoga County in the last 50 years, as well as the campaign to fund repairs and maintenance of Cleveland’s public-owned sports facilities, health and human services levies, and several other major ballot issues.
During his career, Jeff has played a key role in well over 150 races at the municipal, county, state and federal levels, including directing Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly’s 2018 victory and Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign in Ohio, and serving as a strategist in the campaigns of presidential candidate and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and a number of other public officials.
Kathy is an advocacy and community engagement professional with almost two decades of experience helping organizations and individuals to translate their ideas into action. Her areas of expertise include state and federal policy campaigns, campaign management, field organizing, coalition building, event planning, and advocacy capacity building and training.
Kathy’s previous and current clients include the Pew Charitable Trusts, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Natural Resources Defense Council, Komen Advocacy Alliance, Ohio Juvenile Justice Reform Campaign, Cuyahoga County Action Committee (Health and Human Services Levy), and Atlantic Philanthropies. Prior to joining R Strategy Group, Kathy worked in government relations for the Cleveland Municipal School District and Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland.
Kathy has a Bachelor of Arts from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law.
Aileen Day
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
aileen@rstrategygroup.com
Aileen is a political communication consultant at R Strategy Group, where she works on progressive initiatives. Aileen is on the board of Abortion Fund of Ohio and formally was the Communications Director at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio. Her passion for messaging lies at the heart of her work. Through carefully chosen words and narratives, she strives to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and turn complex ideas into stories that not only inform but also touch hearts and inspire action. This drive fuels her constant pursuit of heartfelt ways to communicate, ensuring every message she crafts is not just heard, but deeply felt. Aileen loves a leadership program; she was in the New Leaders Council Columbus 2022 class. Aileen graduated from American University's Leadership Program, which studies leadership through social movements past and present.
Izzy is a forward-thinking communications professional who has honed her skills in nonprofit and political arenas, including roles at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and EMILY’s List. Throughout her career, she has passionately utilized the power of storytelling and strategic communication to inspire communities and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Izzy Stewart
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
izzy@rstrategygroup.com
Daniel has several years of political campaign experience with a speciality in outreach, community engagement, and direct voter contact. He began his political career as a candidate himself, and wants to use what he learned during that experience to help more new people run for office and make change in their communities. Daniel lives in Toledo with his wife Natalie and their many pets.
Daniel Ortiz
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
daniel@rstrategygroup.com
MaryGrace Staph
COMPTROLLER
marygrace@rstrategygroup.com