At the Dover Group, we bring decades of experience, storytelling, targeting, and strategy to help you WIN.

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Winning Clients and Partners

We get to know what makes our candidates real and how their lived experience shapes their message–then we create authentic branding that connects with voters.

We pair our candidate’s brand with voter data to target the right message to the right voters at the right time.

We work with you to create a plan that fits into your budget.

Our Team

We are a woman-owned firm with a team representing a broad spectrum of races, religious faiths, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We believe strength comes from diversity and that the more perspectives we bring to the table, the stronger our work is for you.

Shae A. Anderson, PhD

Copywriter

Shae A. Anderson, PhD

Shae A. Anderson holds a PhD in Rhetoric & Composition from Georgia State University, and has 20 years of teaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels. She has 10 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, and her political experience includes work as a strategist and Communications Director for local elections and a congressional campaign.

Megan Cook

Vice President of Production

Megan Cook

Megan has spent the past fifteen years managing print, logistics, and direct mail production teams in both retail and agency settings.

She is passionate about solving problems for clients—the wilder and weirder, the better.

Leslie Grayson

Vice President of Messaging and Staff Director

Leslie Grayson

Leslie oversees content for direct mail and digital programs for political and public advocacy campaigns from coast to coast.

She specializes in developing creative concepts and copy that make your message come to life and inspire voters to action.

Abby Lerner

Senior Production Director

Abby Lerner

Abby manages direct mail production from concept to mailbox, making sure every mailer looks great and arrives on time.

Abby has also worked with RE-AMP, a regional climate change advocacy network, and she has extensive campaign experience in Illinois gubernatorial and Chicago municipal elections.

Dave Mellet

Vice President of Campaigns

Dave Mellet

Dave has managed and consulted for candidates in Illinois and Pennsylvania, and he has worked as a direct mail consultant for state caucuses in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.

Dave helped build Lori Lightfoot’s campaign for Mayor of Chicago, serving as a senior advisor and digital strategist for Mayor Lightfoot’s historic victory in 2019.

Andy Shapero

Senior Account Manager

Andy Shapero

Andy focuses on research, database management, and developing digital advertising plans for Dover clients.

He began his work in politics as a student organizer for Howard Dean while pursuing his undergraduate degree in political science from Indiana University, subsequently earning his master’s in leadership and policy studies from DePaul University.

Tara Bardella

Digital Campaign Manager

Tara Bardella

Tara helps to develop, create, and manage high-quality digital campaigns for Dover clients.

Prior to joining Dover, Tara created and managed digital communications for the DLCC, Democratic GAIN, House Majority PAC, and the 2012 Obama-Biden presidential campaign.

Felicia Doolin

Vice President of Creative

Felicia Doolin

Felicia has been creating dynamic designs for direct mail and digital advertising with Dover since 2012.

In addition to designing and overseeing beautiful print and digital communications, Felicia specializes in creating unique, award-winning brands for Dover’s diverse client base.

Aaron Hunter

Senior Vice President of Digital

Aaron Hunter

Aaron manages the Dover Group’s digital services, including digital advertising, social media and email advocacy, and website development.

Before joining Dover, Aaron worked in development at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Business and completed a Master’s degree in international politics.

Jennifer Koch-Donovan

Vice President of Campaigns

Jennifer Koch-Donovan

Jennifer has dedicated her career to helping elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

She has managed campaigns across the country, including DCCC Frontline and red-to-blue races, worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign, and has trained candidates through Emerge America, EMILYs List, Vote Run Lead, and She Should Run.

Mark Nevins

Partner

Mark Nevins

Mark has developed winning direct mail programs for races from Hawaii to Massachusetts and places in between. He served as the Pennsylvania communications director for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign in 2008 and the John Kerry for President campaign in 2004.

Mark also spent two cycles as a communications strategist for the DCCC.

Kaitlyn Waterson

Copywriter

Kaitlyn Waterson

Kaitlyn Waterson generates creative content and copy for direct mail, laying the groundwork for unique and engaging communications. Before joining Dover Strategy Group in 2022, she worked as a market research analyst and communications specialist for several Pennsylvania state and local races. When not helping to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, Kaitlyn is a professional operatic soprano.

Emily Campbell

Partner

Emily Campbell

Emily has more than two decades of experience managing campaigns, recruiting and advising candidates up and down the ballot, and running paid media campaigns.

Previously, she was a political and finance adviser to campaigns at EMILYs List and the DCCC, and she currently serves as a trainer for EMILY’s List and Emerge.

Maria Charkoudian-Fox

Senior Graphic Designer

Maria Charkoudian-Fox

Maria has worked as a visual designer for over 20 years with a variety of clients in the political, tech, and educational fields.

She specializes in turning client messages and ideas into eye-catching, impactful designs that move targeted audiences to action.

Chris Esposito

Partner

Chris Esposito

Chris is a nationally recognized and respected campaign strategist with three decades of experience and expertise in targeting. He started his career by helping to elect Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore in 1998, using targeting to win in a district that hadn’t voted for a Democrat in 40 years.

Chris went on to help elect Democratic governors, senators, and members of Congress at the DCCC and EMILYs List.

Brendan McLaughlin

Copywriter

Brendan McLaughlin

Brendan McLaughlin is a writer/producer with experience in TV, politics, marketing, comedy and digital media. Throughout 2020 he served as a content producer, creating hundreds of video ads in the lead-up to the presidential election. Additionally, he's worked on shows for MTV, VH1, MTV2, IFC, truTV, History Channel, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery, NBC Studios, FYI and PeopleTV.

Travis Rothe

Art Director and Graphic Designer

Travis Rothe

Travis Rothe is a visual designer, art director, and marketing designer. He is trained in traditional design and digital art methods, and he continues to explore tools at the forefront of design, including Artificial Intelligence.

He is a graduate of the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology and has taught visual design communication courses at Illinois Institute of Technology and the Chicago High School for the Arts.

Nick Wilbat

Senior Production Director

Nick Wilbat

Nick manages political direct mail services and works directly with candidates and managers to ensure the most effective messaging is delivered to voters.

Prior to joining Dover, Nick produced award-winning television ads for Democratic candidates across the country and managed campaigns, including the campaign to elect Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin.