Our Team

Meet the strategists, designers, developers, writers, and producers who make up Mission Minded.

Management Team

Candace Payne

Candace Payne

Associate Director of Operations

Candace Payne

Associate Director of Operations

Candace fosters a culture of innovation, empowering the Mission Minded team to embrace change and thrive in dynamic environments. Her…

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Demian Kato

Demian Kato

Creative Director

Demian Kato

Creative Director

As Creative Director, Demian leads and inspires our creative team to elevate the creative work across all channels, including visual…

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Esha Menon

Esha Menon

Associate Director of Growth & Client Success

Esha Menon

Associate Director of Growth & Client Success

Esha serves as the linchpin between prospective clients and the transformative strategies that can elevate their missions. She plays a…

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Jennie Winton

Jennie Winton

Founding Partner & Leadership Coach

Jennie Winton

Founding Partner & Leadership Coach

Jennie Winton is a 30-year brand strategy veteran who partners with nonprofits, foundations, and schools to help them articulate a…

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Romayne Levee

Romayne Levee

Partner & Director of Strategy

Romayne Levee

Partner & Director of Strategy

Romayne isn’t afraid to think big, and she guides our team of strategists to do the same. Romayne is in…

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Zach Hochstadt

Zach Hochstadt

Founding Partner

Zach Hochstadt

Founding Partner

Over the past 20+ years, Zach has worked with hundreds of nonprofit leaders to craft unique and inspired brands. He…

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Mission Minded Staff

Alice Srinivasan

Alice Srinivasan

Strategist

Alice Srinivasan

Strategist

Strategist Alice Srinivasan brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit development, marketing and community engagement to her role at Mission…

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Ashlie Green

Ashlie Green

Business Coordinator

Ashlie Green

Business Coordinator

As Mission Minded’s Business Coordinator, Ashlie’s organizational dedication is paramount in supporting our team to achieve the highest level of…

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Beth Barbee

Beth Barbee

Senior Strategist

Beth Barbee

Senior Strategist

Beth Barbee has worked in and around marketing and brand strategy for over 25 years — within agencies, as a…

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Bonnie Taylor

Bonnie Taylor

Senior Marketing Specialist

Bonnie Taylor

Senior Marketing Specialist

Bonnie (she/her) considers herself to be a storyteller first and foremost, with over six years of experience in marketing and…

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Carrie Tancraitor

Carrie Tancraitor

Senior Strategist

Carrie Tancraitor

Senior Strategist

Carrie joins Mission Minded with 15+ years of experience as a nonprofit capacity builder. She specializes in strategic planning, program…

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Denise Gallagher

Denise Gallagher

Senior Graphic Designer

Denise Gallagher

Senior Graphic Designer

Senior Graphic Designer Denise Gallagher approaches each project with a sense of discovery and provides a unique view—be it playful…

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David Harder

David Harder

Digital Marketing & Website Optimization Specialist

David Harder

Digital Marketing & Website Optimization Specialist

David is an experienced web developer and project manager passionate about making the web a more inclusive space and a…

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Dianne Maher

Dianne Maher

Senior Strategist

Dianne Maher

Senior Strategist

Senior Strategist Dianne Maher puts her extensive brand development and communication talents to work on behalf of Mission Minded clients…

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Gabi Pineda

Gabi Pineda

Senior Designer

Gabi Pineda

Senior Designer

Gabi Pineda (Comanche/Ponca/Latine) is a Senior Designer at Mission Minded with a decade of experience designing impactful visuals in marketing,…

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Heidi Overbeck

Heidi Overbeck

Senior Strategist

Heidi Overbeck

Senior Strategist

As a Senior Strategist, Heidi specializes in strategic planning, evaluation, and narrative strategy for mission-driven organizations. Informed by 20 years…

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Jonathan Hinman

Jonathan Hinman

Video Director & Producer

Jonathan Hinman

Video Director & Producer

Jonathan Hinman is Mission Minded’s video director and producer, creating powerful, outcome-focused work for clients such as Packard Foundation, San…

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Julia Jackson

Julia Jackson

Senior Strategist

Julia Jackson

Senior Strategist

Julia thrives at synthesizing the complex and challenging into actionable and relevant outcomes. She brings over twenty years of experience…

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Karen Buck

Karen Buck

Senior Strategist

Karen Buck

Senior Strategist

As a Senior Strategist, Karen excels at seamlessly crossing publication, website, video, digital, and social platforms, collaborating with designers and…

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Kathryn Smith

Kathryn Smith

Copywriter and Web Content Creator

Kathryn Smith

Copywriter and Web Content Creator

Kathryn uses her experiences in public policy, healthcare, and technology to bring a unique perspective to strategic communications. Her work…

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Kelli Matheny

Kelli Matheny

Designer

Kelli Matheny

Designer

Kelli began her design journey in 2012. She is passionate about helping people, problem-solving, and delighting clients with beautiful, simple…

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Paige Booth

Paige Booth

Senior Strategist

Paige Booth

Senior Strategist

Paige leverages her curiosity, careful listening, and experience in the roles of both client and a consultant to create transformative…

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Michelle Mellon

Michelle Mellon

Copywriter

Michelle Mellon

Copywriter

Michelle Mellon is a professional storyteller with 25+ years of experience as a marketing copywriter, content writer, and ghostwriter. She…

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Rona Gomel Ashe

Rona Gomel Ashe

Senior Strategist

Rona Gomel Ashe

Senior Strategist

As a Senior Strategist at Mission Minded, Rona specializes in strategic planning, brand strategy, naming, and governance, and has worked…

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Sara Buettmann

Sara Buettmann

Art Director

Sara Buettmann

Art Director

Art Director Sara Buettmann brings her left and her right brain into each project. Using strategic and analytical thinking, Sara…

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Shum Prats

Shum Prats

Art Director

Shum Prats

Art Director

As an Art Director, Shum brings his wide and varied experience in advertising, illustration, and brand identity to Mission Minded…

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Stephanie Swain

Stephanie Swain

Senior Strategist

Stephanie Swain

Senior Strategist

Stephanie joined Mission Minded in 2014 with a passionate belief in the importance of brand strategy and in finding that…

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Tia Robinson

Tia Robinson

Project Operations Manager and Strategist

Tia Robinson

Project Operations Manager and Strategist

As Mission Minded’s project operations manager, Tia sets up strong foundations to ensure smooth transitions throughout the life of a…

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Tierney Yates

Tierney Yates

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisor

Tierney Yates

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisor

Tierney has worked in the nonprofit sphere for over 10 years, using cross-sector collaboration strategies to create spaces with equity…

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Ty Lindemans

Ty Lindemans

Graphic Designer

Ty Lindemans

Graphic Designer

As a Graphic Designer, Ty’s strengths include typography, page layout, color theory, and digital photography. He’s motivated by the challenge…

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Uyen Vu

Uyen Vu

Senior Art Director

Uyen Vu

Senior Art Director

As Mission Minded’s Senior Art Director, Uyen specializes in creating engaging, story-driven experiences that inspire action. Known for her problem-solving…

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Vanessa Louis-Woolley

Vanessa Louis-Woolley

Senior Strategist

Vanessa Louis-Woolley

Senior Strategist

An infinitely curious strategist and relentlessly creative problem solver, Vanessa has 17 years of experience in marketing and brand strategy…

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Zack Kushner

Zack Kushner

Senior Strategist

Zack Kushner

Senior Strategist

Senior Strategist Zack Kushner is an expert in developing branding, messaging, and strategy to broadcast grantee successes, foster collaboration, and…

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Demian Kato

Mission Minded makes it easy to do great work and have fun while doing it. 
The people, clients, culture, and growth opportunities make it both exciting 
and rewarding to come 
to work every day.

Demian Kato
Creative Director
1 year at Mission Minded

Tia Robinson

You can expect to feel supported and valued! There has yet to be a day when I’ve felt alone in my work.

Tia Robinson
Project Operations Manager and Strategist
3 years at Mission Minded

Zack Kushner

With Mission Minded, I get to put my creativity and energy into helping some of the world’s most visionary nonprofit organizations achieve their worthy missions.

Zack Kushner
Senior Strategist
7 years at Mission Minded