Our Team

Meet the strategists, designers, developers, writers, and producers ready to help you raise more money and attract more people to your work – with the urgency your mission demands.

Management Team

Candace Payne

Candace Payne

Director of Operations

Candace Payne

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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Esha Menon

Esha Menon

Associate Director of Business Development & Marketing

Esha Menon

Associate Director of Business Development & Marketing

Esha is the spark behind Mission Minded’s growth, visibility, and values. She leads our marketing and business development efforts, helping…

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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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Zach Hochstadt

Zach Hochstadt

Founding Partner and Creative Director

Zach Hochstadt

Founding Partner and Creative Director

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

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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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Mission Minded Staff

Alyssa Puzzo

Alyssa Puzzo

Digital Strategist

Alyssa Puzzo

Digital Strategist

Alyssa Puzzo is a digital strategist with a passion for bridging the gap between design and technology to create meaningful,…

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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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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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Carrie Tancraitor

Carrie Tancraitor

Senior Strategist

Carrie Tancraitor

Senior Strategist

Carrie Tancraitor brings over 20 years of experience as a nonprofit capacity builder, partnering with mission-driven organizations to strengthen their…

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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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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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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

Equal parts creative catalyst, change agent, and champion for mission-driven organizations, Julia Jackson helps organizations align bold ideas with real-world…

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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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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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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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Shelby Taketa

Shelby Taketa

Senior Web Project Manager

Shelby Taketa

Senior Web Project Manager

Shelby is a strategic thinker, problem solver, and detail-oriented project manager who helps organizations turn big ideas into impactful initiatives.…

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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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Shum Prats

Shum Prats

Senior Art Director

Shum Prats

Senior 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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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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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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Candace Payne

Joining the Mission Minded community provides career fulfillment in ways other companies often fall short. Not only is the team filled with truly passionate, creative, and caring individuals, but the amazing impact of the awe-inspiring work that results from the partnership between our clients and our team also gives you the reward and motivation to continue supporting these worthy causes every day.

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
4 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