The Team
Vanguardians care about our work, our craft and making a difference. Meet our team.
Vanguard’s staff have done amazing things in their careers. Some started out in PR, while others arrived here from broadcast outlets, research organizations, community groups and nonprofit entities. We embrace our diverse backgrounds and experience because they make us more impactful, passionate communicators.
Allison Gross
Director
Allison is a dynamic project manager who has extensive experience in health communications and marketing. She provides senior counsel and strategy for communications campaigns and materials designed for varied audiences, including health plan enrollees, providers and legislative audiences.
Certifications/Affiliations
• Digital Marketing Certificate
• Member, Society for Health Communication
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
Brenda K. Foster, MPA
Senior Vice President, Chief of Innovation
Brenda is a nationally recognized, multifaceted communications strategist who applies her decades of experience to change how people think and feel about issues that affect us every day. In addition to serving as Vanguard’s Chief of Innovation, she is a communications researcher and strategic planner who has shaped direction and messaging for numerous successful national nonprofit and government campaigns. A former broadcast journalist, Brenda is a sought-after producer and speech, script and media writer for clients and spokespeople that include celebrities, CEOs, farmers, caregivers, advocates and youth.
Recognition
• 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee, Public Relations Society of America (National Capital Chapter)
• 2021 Finalist, Washington Women in Public Relations Woman of the Year
• 2019 Awardee, Top Women in PR, PR News
Affiliations
• Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, American University
• Board of Directors, SoundMind Live
• Co-founder/Steering Committee, Progressive Communicators of Washington, DC
• Wish Granter, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic
• Member, Washington Women in Public Relations
• Member, Public Relations Society of America
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
• Former Chair, Manassas Park City School Board
Brittany Vanderpool, MPS
Associate Director, Digital Team Lead
Brittany is an accomplished media and events strategist with more than a decade of experience. She is well-versed in digital media, supporting clients’ goals in social media, web strategy, digital ad buys, and online content development and analysis. She uses her extensive earned media experience to draft tailored media strategies and collateral for national and local media outlets. Brittany also has a significant background in managing large-scale, highly detailed events — from annual conferences for more than 5,000 attendees to red carpet award ceremonies to media events.
Recognition
• 2022 COMM Achiever, University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Communication, Alumni Awards
• 2021 Finalist, Washington Women in Public Relations, Emerging Leaders Awards, Small/Boutique Agency
• 2021 Elite Finalist, Bulldog PR Awards, PR Star Under 40
Certifications
• Hybrid and Virtual Event Director (HVED) Certificate, Event Leadership Institute
• Pandemic Meeting and Event Design (PMED) Certificate, Event Leadership Institute
Camille Jewell
Senior Account Manager
Camille Jewell is a skilled writer who is effective at reaching diverse audiences through research and relevant content creation. Camille has more than four years of broadcast television and news production experience and is an Associated Press award-winning journalist. Her broadcast, print, and digital media background provides her with a deep understanding of the news cycle and the ability to create strategic plans for anticipated coverage. She also has helped coach on-screen talent and guided them in best interview practices through media training.
Certifications/Affiliations
• 2022 Certificate in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from the University of South Florida
• Certification: Influencer Marketing Strategy from Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
Catie Carreras
Senior Editorial Manager
Catie is a top-notch writer and editor who ensures every client’s unique voice is represented in their print and digital content. Collaborating with graphic designers and project managers, she crafts impactful messaging, writing and editing everything from infographics to PowerPoints, key messages, blog posts and reports for a wide portfolio of clients. She also has experience in branding research and video production.
Certifications/Affiliations
• Certificate in Writing in Plain Language from The Communications Board
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
Chantelle Polite
Senior Account Executive
Chantelle is a skilled digital strategist and communicator who has supported a diverse mix of clients and causes throughout her career. From research activities to content development to online community management, she has been an integral part of many campaign lifecycles. She is regularly tapped for her expertise in community-driven communications principles to create social media strategies for specific audiences — from Medicaid recipients and physicians to academics and legislators.
Crystal Borde
Vice President, Community-Driven Communications Lead
Crystal brings more than two decades of experience managing and implementing strategic communications efforts for advocacy and government public education campaigns. She leads Community-Driven Communications at Vanguard, specializing in developing strategic communications plans and integrated media plans through a community-driven lens. She also implements traditional and digital media strategies, including managing media outreach and creating culturally and linguistically relevant content for national and local initiatives.
Recognition
• 2022 Diamond Award, PRSA National Capital Chapter
• 2021 Rising Star Award, PRSA National Capital Chapter
• 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Honoree, Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards
• 2021 Changemaker Honoree, PR News’ Top Woman in PR
Affiliations
• Sponsorship Committee Chair, PRSA National Capital Chapter, 2025-present • 2025 Chapter President, PRSA National Capital Chapter
• DEI Committee Chair, PRSA National Capital Chapter, 2020–present
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
• Director, PRSA National Capital Chapter Board of Directors, 2020–2023
Certifications
• 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate Course for Communicators, Ragan Communications
• 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida Muma College of Business
• 2020-2022 Anti-Racist Leadership Series 101-301, Leadership of Greater Washington
• 2016 Certificate of Completion, CommonHealth ACTION Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Training Institute
Dana Chomenko, MA, PMP
Vice President
Dana has over 15 years of experience in public health and overseeing research and communications programs for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies and nonprofit organizations. In her new role as vice president at Vanguard, she will provide corporate monitoring and project management support for several projects, including those with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), AmeriHealth Caritas DC, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Previously, Dana managed multiple contracts across the National Institutes of Health (NIH), providing thought leadership and strategic planning support, contributing to the planning and implementation of research and evaluation projects, and developing and disseminating public health information products. She also serves as Executive Director for the Society for Health Communication and for the Council for Quality Health Communication.
Erika Gaitan
Senior Account Executive
Erika is a strategic communications professional specializing in digital and traditional media, supporting Vanguard clients through high-impact social media content, and research-driven educational materials. A native Spanish speaker of Salvadoran descent, she leads Spanish-language translation and cultural adaptation efforts, ensuring communications are linguistically accurate, culturally responsive, and audience-centered. Erika plays a key role in developing communications strategies, drafting core materials, and supporting media pitching and partner engagement for government and nonprofit clients. She also oversees Vanguard’s Comunicadores for the Future program, serving as the primary point of contact and mentor for all interns while advancing equitable pathways into the communications field.
Faith James Doyle
Senior Account Supervisor
A seasoned communicator, Faith develops, manages and executes a broad range of public relations strategies for Vanguard’s nonprofit clients. She is well-versed in digital media, including social media and web strategy, content development and analysis. An experienced project manager, she uses her extensive earned media background to draft tailored media strategies and collateral for national and local media outlets, as well as develops creative pitches and angles to get exposure for client partners.
Affiliations
• Member, Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA)
Jo Ann Antoine
Creative Director
Jo Ann is an award-winning graphic designer with more than 20 years of experience in graphic design, art direction and project management. An expert in translating complex information visually across print and digital properties, she marries technology with design to improve audience engagement. She has extensive experience delivering conceptual design and artwork for websites, annual reports, newsletters, books, catalogs, flyers, identity packages, banners and outdoor advertising, as well as video production and art direction for photo shoots.
Certifications
• Coursework in Film Production and Video Animation, Toronto Film School, Ontario, Canada
• Digital Health Awards Program Judge, 2022 & 2023
Karen Linscott, MA
Chief Operating Officer
As COO, Karen manages Vanguard’s Senior Leadership Team and contracting processes to ensure we are delivering our very best every day. Beyond her operational expertise, she has dedicated her career to improving health care in the U.S. She was a physical therapist before transitioning to work on health policy and bioethics at the local and national level.
Certifications
• Certificate in Nonprofit Management, The George Washington University
LeAnne DeFrancesco
Vice President, Design and Editorial Practice Lead
LeAnne has more than 25 years of experience in creative and editorial development for mission-driven organizations, anchored in audience understanding and rigorous editorial standards. She is a member of the firm’s AI Task Force, exploring ethical use of generative AI tools to streamline tasks and elevate creative outputs.
Affiliations
• Member, Washington Women in PR, Pro Bono Committee
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
Maria Enie
Director, Integrated Media Services Team Lead
Maria is a senior media relations strategist with a track record of securing top-tier media placements regionally, nationally and internationally. She has more than 15 years of experience in project management, including media planning and outreach, strategic communications planning, brand management, writing and editing, digital communications and policy communications. Maria is a skilled spokesperson trainer and interviewer who applies her media expertise to guide federal and nonprofit spokespeople to success.
Maria Rodriguez
President and CEO
Maria Rodriguez leads a talented staff at Vanguard to advance social change and champion causes to help protect the health and well-being of our planet and its people. Ready to roll up her sleeves at any moment to support project teams, brainstorm with clients or explore new innovations in the industry, she is widely recognized as a top woman in PR who also dedicates enormous amounts of time to causes and organizations near and dear to her heart. She is particularly savvy in social marketing, community-driven communications, media relations, and event production.
Board/Advisory Roles
• The National Press Club, Board of Governors
• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, immediate past Board Chair
• Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, Treasurer
• The George Washington University’s Leadership Advisory Council
• National Press Club Communicators Team, Former Co-chair
• Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute Advisory Board
• Former Board Member, The National Network to End Domestic Violence
• Former Board Member, National Latino Behavioral Health Association
Recognition
• 2023 PRWeek Women of Distinction Honoree
• 2019 PR News Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2020 Leadership of Greater Washington, Class Member
• 2018 U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Award for Innovation and Performance
• 2016 National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2016 Finalist, Washington PR Woman of the Year
• 2006 25 Best Small Companies, Working Mother Magazine
• 2004 Matrix Award, Association of Women in Communications
• 2003 PR Week Agency of the Year
• 2003 Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Hispanic Magazine’s Latina Excellence Awards
Certifications
• 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida Muma College of Business
• 2020-2021 Anti-Racist Leadership Series 101-301, Leadership of Greater Washington
Riley Smith
Senior Account Executive
Riley is a multi-talented professional who started her PR journey supporting initiatives related to education through graphic design, proofing and data analysis. At Vanguard, she leverages her skills in media relations, technical assistance, marketing, plain language writing, graphic design support, contract reporting and research to make impactful contributions to both federal and nonprofit accounts.
Affiliations
• Steering Committee Member, Progressive Communicators of Washington, DC
Savannah Young
Account Supervisor
Savannah is a results-driven communications professional with experience executing communications strategies and content creation for a wide array of clients. She helps to lead the conceptualization, planning, development, and production of communications materials that reach diverse internal and external audiences. Savannah excels at writing and storytelling for individuals at varying reading levels, with a special focus on health-related topics.
Shannon Walsh, MBA
Associate Director
Shannon has more than a decade of experience in communications, focusing primarily on connecting organizations to align for greater impact. She brings her leadership skills in social marketing training and technical assistance and relationship management to the development and execution of communications strategies, especially as they relate to partnership development.
Affiliations/Certifications
• Member, Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA)
• Member, Society for Health Communication
• Mentor, Comunicadores for the Future Program
• Graduate Certificate, Public Health Communications and Marketing, The George Washington University
Sharon Cummins
Senior Resource Specialist
Sharon is an organized manager who staff rely on daily for document and subscription management, contracting details, accounts payable, purchase requisitions and other accounting duties. An astute problem solver, she excels at finding information and resources that help the firm run smoothly and maintain compliance, always ensuring staff and clients have positive experiences with Vanguard’s Operations and Accounting teams.