Meet our team

Kevin Turpin

CEO

Kevin Turpin II is the CEO of National Journal Gravity Group, a research and information services portfolio company. Since Turpin took over the role of president in 2016, he has led the organization through a complete transformation from a traditional media company to its current enterprise, which includes founding a new portfolio company, Gravity Research. The company has experienced double digit revenue growth every year since he took the helm Turpin has a deep passion for mentorship of young people and serves as chair of the board of City Year DC; a non-profit dedicated to mentoring young people during their primary and secondary years of education. He is also the board chair of Gracism Global, a non-profit focused on equipping leaders that have decided to bridge the deep divides of color, class, and culture in their industries. In addition, Turpin serves as a member of the Economic Club of Washington and the Council on Foreign Relations. A proud Hoya, Turpin is a graduate of Georgetown University.

Luke Hartig

President, Gravity Research

lhartig@gravityresearch.com

Luke Hartig is President of Gravity Research. He leads Gravity’s research and consulting businesses, including the Stakeholder Influence Analysis, Societal and Reputational Intelligence service, and the Political and Reputational Vetting Service. Prior to joining National Journal, Luke served as a senior director at the National Security Council (NSC) in the Obama White House. He previously served in a range of government roles at the Pentagon, State Department, Office of Management and Budget, and Government Accountability Office. Luke began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala. Luke holds a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. in international relations from Boston University. He is an adjunct fellow at New America, an executive editor of Just Security, and a member of the advisory councils for Hostage US and the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation. Luke lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and two sons.

Katie Collins

Chief Revenue Officer

Katie Collins is the Chief Revenue Officer at Gravity Research. In this role, she manages the company’s relationships with heads of government affairs at Fortune 500 companies and leaders of industry trade associations and oversees business development strategy. In her previous role as vice president of development, Katie successfully launched the Stakeholder Influence Analysis and managed National Journal’s strategic advertising relationships. She also helped lead the transition of National Journal’s client base from individual subscriptions to organizational memberships as National Journal shifted from a media company to a consulting model providing research and advisory services. Katie’s prior experience spans nearly 15 years in business development and advocacy at National Journal, Corporate Executive Board, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Katie is a graduate of Georgetown University. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband.

Rebecca Katona

General Manager and Chief Administrative Officer

Rebecca Katona serves as the General Manager for National Journal Membership and the Chief Administrative Officer at NJG Group. Since joining NJ in 2013 to run Membership Events, Rebecca has served in a half dozen people operations-focused roles, including as NJ's Chief of Staff, NJ's Vice President of Talent & Culture, Atlantic Media's Director of Talent & Culture, and AtlanticLIVE's Executive Director. Previously, Rebecca led a nonprofit higher education forum for promising domestic and international undergraduates. A native of Columbus, OH, and proud graduate of The Ohio State University, Rebecca lives on Capitol Hill with her husband and their three sons.

Afzal Bari

Chief Financial Officer

Afzal Bari serves as CFO for National Journal Group. Afzal previously held roles at Bloomberg Government, Corporate Executive Board, Capco Consulting, and several startups. Afzal holds an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, undergraduate degrees from the University of Maryland College Park, and is a CFA Charterholder. He lives in Chevy Chase, Md. with his wife and two children.

Kendall VanHoose

Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, Advisory Services

Kendall VanHoose serves as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, Advisory Services at Gravity Research. In this role, she leads Gravity Research’s Strategic Executive Advisors team and plays a central role in shaping the company’s growth strategy — advising on new markets, evolving the firm’s service offerings, and guiding key investments and resourcing decisions. Kendall also serves as a senior representative of Gravity Research in client and industry settings. Since joining Gravity Research in 2017, Kendall has been a driving force behind the company’s expansion. She helped launch three of Gravity Research’s four research practices, including its flagship Societal and Reputational Intelligence work, and played a key role in developing the firm’s executive advisory model. She has also built Gravity Research’s capacity for new product development and led the creation of offerings such as the Corporate Insider Survey, Stakeholder Influence Analysis, Political and Reputational Vetting, and advisory support for federal contractors. Prior to Gravity Research, Kendall was a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, advising clients in the federal healthcare sector. She has a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and lives in Washington, DC.

Jackie Breuer

Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy

Jackie Breuer is the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy for Gravity Research, where she leads strategic partnerships and works closely with corporate affairs, communications, and government affairs leaders to navigate complex reputational issues. This work helps companies anticipate stakeholder pressure, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and develop actionable strategies. Jackie brings over a decade of experience, advising on stakeholder engagement and the intersection of business and public policy. Prior to Gravity Research, Jackie worked in government contracting. Originally, hailing from the Silicon Valley in Northern California, she moved to DC to attend American University and has called it home ever since.

Heather Harper

Senior Vice President, New Partnerships & Revenue Operations

Heather Harper is the Senior Vice President of New Partnerships and Revenue Operations at Gravity Research. In this role, she brings over a decade of experience directing talented revenue and client service teams to deliver world-class insights to Fortune 500 executives. At Gravity Research, Heather and her team match the complex and evolving needs of government and corporate affairs with tailored solutions that help organizations understand the impact of societal and political issues on their bottom line. Prior to her time with Gravity, Heather played a role in new product development and go to market launches for several advisory services across National Journal Group. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and two kids.

Joanna Piacenza

Vice President of Thought Leadership

Joanna Piacenza is Vice President of Thought Leadership at Gravity Research, where she oversees all public-facing research and thought leadership. Prior to this role, Piacenza served as vice president and head of industry analysis at Morning Consult, where she built and oversaw the company’s public-facing industry research arm. She was also the editor of the Public Religion Research Institute, where she edited public opinion research at the intersection of religion, culture and public policy. Piacenza graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications and holds a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Daniel Thomas

Senior Vice President, Research and Product Management

Daniel Thomas is Vice President of Research at Gravity Research. Prior to this position, Daniel worked at Meta as a User Experience Research Manager, leading a team of researchers that were helping to build new business messaging products in Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Daniel has also worked as a Research Director in Gartner’s financial services team and was a Managing Director in Hanover Research’s higher education practice. He holds a B.A. in History from King’s College, London, an M.St. in Historical Research from the University of Oxford and a Ph.D. in Modern History from the University of St Andrews. Originally from Dorset in the UK, Daniel now resides In Silver Spring, MD with his wife and two children.

Aidan Mallon

Senior Government Business Analyst

Aidan Mallon is a Senior Government Business Analyst with Gravity Research. Aidan attended Boston College where he received a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Asian Studies, Theatre, and Management for Social Impact & the Public Good. Prior to joining National Journal, Aidan interned at the U.S. Department of State. Originally from Long Island, Aidan now resides in Washington, D.C.

Alex Cole

Strategic Executive Advisor

acole@gravityresearch.com

Alex is a Strategic Executive Advisor at Gravity Research. For 20 years, Alex has advised Fortune 500 companies, international nonprofits, and national leaders on high-stakes public affairs, branding, and reputational challenges. Previously, as a Principal at Monitor 360 and a Vice President at Hattaway Communications, Alex led service delivery for large-scale advocacy, public relations, and thought leadership campaigns. Alex was also Vice President of External Affairs for a $150M international nonprofit, managing brand and reputational issues in over 30 countries as well as US Congressional relations. A recovering political junky, Alex has served on the staff of or as a consultant to more than a dozen candidates for the US Senate, House and Presidency. Alex holds a BA from Vassar College, a Master's of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, and is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University in marketing and communications. He lives in Washington, DC with his husband and a dog named Delilah.

Anna Holtschlag

Content & Brand Marketing Associate

Anna Holtschlag is a Content & Brand Marketing Associate with Gravity Research. She graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2024 where she double majored in Psychology and Drama. Before coming to Gravity, she supported marketing efforts at a speakers bureau and the business development team of a women-owned boxed water startup. Anna is a Boston native and currently lives in Washington, D.C.

Anuradha (Anu) Bhatt

Associate Research Director, Stakeholder Influence Analysis

Anu Bhatt is an Associate Research Director with the Stakeholder Influence Analysis team. Prior to joining National Journal, Anu worked at the Association of Immunization Managers as a Program/Policy Analyst for 7 years. She completed her undergraduate degree in Political, Legal, Economic Analysis at Mills College in Oakland, CA. Anu also holds an MPH in Health Policy from the George Washington University School of Public Health. She grew up in the Washington DC area, and currently resides in Chevy Chase.

Ashley Thurmond

Strategic Executive Advisor

Ashley Thurmond is a Strategic Executive Advisor with Gravity Research. Ashley came to Gravity Research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where she worked with clients on various business and change management-related initiatives. Before obtaining her MBA, Ashley spent much of her professional career in the public sector where she served as a U.S. House of Representatives' committee staffer and public school teacher (Teach For America alum) in Baltimore, MD and DC. Ashley earned her MBA from Northwestern University and her BA in Sociology and Conflict Management from Pepperdine University. Ashley is currently based in Washington, DC where she is originally from.

Benjamin Elias

Senior Public Policy Research Analyst

Benjamin Elias is a Senior Public Policy Research Analyst at Gravity Research. Benjamin is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago where he majored in philosophy and minored in statistics. Before joining National Journal, Benjamin worked on various network mapping projects as a research assistant at the Chicago Project on Security and Threats. In addition to the various research projects he has been a part of, Benjamin helped found a healthy snack brand called Quevos, which is still in operation. Originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, Benjamin plans on moving to Washington D.C in the near future.

Bruno Almeida

Research Associate

Bruno Almeida is a Research Associate with Gravity Research’s Political and Reputational Vetting team. He graduated cum laude from American University with a BA in International Studies. Prior to joining Gravity Research in 2024, Bruno worked as an opposition researcher during the 2024 election cycle for a Democratic Super PAC. He also held numerous research, consulting, and government affairs internships in public and private sector organizations. Bruno was born in Washington, D.C. and has lived in the D.C. metropolitan area his whole life. He is fluent in both English and Portuguese.

Blake Vieira

Senior Political and Reputational Vetting Research Analyst

Blake Vieira is a Senior Research Analyst with the Political and Reputational Vetting team. He joined National Journal in 2021 after graduating from American University with a BA in International Studies, where he focused on the Middle East, North Africa, and national security policy. He previously interned with Sen. Michael Bennet and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and most recently served as a research assistant for Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Gordon on his book "Degrade and Destroy: The War Against the Islamic State from Barack Obama to Donald Trump." Born in Riverside, CA and raised between there, Bellevue, WA and Castle Rock, CO, he currently lives in Washington, DC.

Caitlin Fischer

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Caitlin is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst with Gravity Research. Prior to joining the Societal and Reputational Intelligence team, they performed research in fields ranging from nuclear nonproliferation to black hole astrophysics, including assessing the readiness of nuclear disarmament verification technologies as a Fulbright-Schuman Scholar to the European Union. They also have experience as a consultant specialising accessibility and community management. Caitlin graduated from MIT with a degree in Physics and a minor in Political Science. They grew up in Hong Kong and are now based in Washington, DC.

Calvin Hunt

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Calvin Hunt is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst with Gravity Research. Calvin graduated in 2024 cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in Public & International Affairs and a minor in History & the Practice of Diplomacy. Calvin also has experience in non-profit consulting, political campaigns, and as a legislative intern. Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Calvin now resides in Washington, D.C.

Christina Wang

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Christina Wang is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst with Gravity Research. She graduated from Duke University in 2024 with a degree in Political Science and Public Policy. Prior to joining Gravity, she conducted original research on public opinion and American democracy at Duke and interned for Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. Christina is originally from Fairfax, VA and now resides in Washington, DC.

Claire Duncan

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Claire Duncan is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst at Gravity Research. She graduated from Harvard in 2024 with a degree in Government and a minor in Psychology. Prior to joining Gravity, Claire was a Research Associate at the DNC during the 2024 election and interned in Vice President Harris' Policy Office, focusing on reproductive rights, education, and gun violence. Originally from Chicago, Claire now lives in Northern Virginia.

Claire Putzeys

Strategic Executive Advisor

Claire Putzeys is a Strategic Executive Advisor with Gravity Research. Prior to joining Gravity, Claire spent fifteen years as a career civil servant leading and coordinating U.S. government strategy, diplomacy, strategic communications, public-private partnerships, and operations for complex humanitarian emergency responses. Most recently, she served as Deputy Director of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program at the Department of State and as a Director on the National Security Council responsible for refugee policy and climate migration. Claire has led some of the U.S. government's largest humanitarian programs in a variety of roles at the State Department and served on extended deployments, including with the Department of Homeland Security, to refugee settings around the world. Originally from Boston, Claire earned her master’s degree in international security from The Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and her bachelor’s degree in international relations and French from Colgate University. Claire lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two children.

Eliza Sanusi

Political and Reputational Vetting Research Associate

Eliza Sanusi joined the Political and Reputational Vetting team as a Research Associate in September 2024. She recently graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Leadership & Public Policy and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. In the past, Eliza has been involved with education policy work at the state level, and she is excited to apply her research skills in this role. Eliza is originally from Charlottesville, Virginia and now lives in Washington, D.C.

Emma Kate Allman

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Emma Kate Allman is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst at Gravity Research. She recently graduated from New York University where she received her Master’s degree in Education & Social Policy. She also received her Bachelor’s degree from New York University in Education Studies. Prior to her role at Gravity Research, she worked at New York University’s Office of Student Success leading research projects and developing student events and initiatives. She has also interned and consulted with various international organizations including the Nobel Women’s Initiative and United Way Ghana. She is originally from the D.C. area, and currently resides there.

Grady Hornbeek

Public Policy Research Analyst

Grady is a Public Policy Research Analyst for the Stakeholder Influence Analysis team at Gravity Research. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. While at Notre Dame, Grady gained diverse work experience, interning with Pfizer’s international market access team and in high net-worth wealth management. He also spent a semester studying at a university in Toledo, Spain. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Grady now resides in Washington, DC.

Hafsa Nawaz

Senior Analyst, Research & AI Innovation

Hafsa Nawaz is a Senior Analyst, Research & AI Innovation at Gravity Research. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy & Management (Data Analytics) from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s in Economics and Mathematics. Before joining Gravity Research, Hafsa worked with Insurity, Concepta Innovation Services, and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, contributing to projects across AI, data analytics, public policy, and community-focused research. Originally from Pakistan, she now resides in Arlington, VA and is passionate about using AI and emerging technologies to automate workflows and advance research-driven insights.

Hannah Cohen

Research Director, Societal and Reputational Intelligence

Hannah Cohen is a Research Director with Gravity Research's Societal and Reputational Intelligence team. She graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in History and Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Georgetown University. Hannah joined Gravity in 2022 as a Research Associate on the Political and Reputational Vetting team. Previously, she worked at a government affairs firm specializing in transportation and infrastructure policy. She grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Washington, D.C.

Hannah Dunleavy

Public Affairs and Societal Issues Analyst

Hannah Dunleavy is a Public Affairs and Societal Issues Analyst. She graduated with high honors from Dartmouth College, earning a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Government. Before joining Gravity Research, she worked as a research assistant studying media coverage of Chesapeake Bay water quality and completed a high honors thesis on online ecological extremism. Her previous internships focused on environmental policy and spanned a range of sectors, including a consulting firm, an industry association, state government, and a nonprofit organization. Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Hannah now lives in Northeastern Washington, D.C.

Jaimee Simwinga

Senior Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Jaimee Simwinga is a Senior Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst with Gravity Research. She graduated from Princeton University in 2023 with a degree in the Anthropology of Law, Politics, and Economics and a certificate in African American Studies. She previously worked at a number of organizations including the Field Museum, Princeton University Art Museum, and the Bradley Media Foundation. Originally from Kansas City, Jaimee now resides in Brooklyn, NY.

James Ween

Senior Research Director, Societal & Reputational Intelligence

James Ween is a Senior Research Director for the Societal & Reputational Intelligence team. He received a dual BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Washington in Seattle, where his undergraduate research focused on monetary policy independence at the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada. James joined Gravity in 2021 as a Public Policy Research Analyst on the Stakeholder Influence Analysis team. Prior to joining Gravity, James worked in market research for a private equity firm focused in the renewable energy sector. A proud Pacific Northwesterner, James currently resides in Washington, DC.

Jane Ann Langford

Political and Reputational Vetting Analyst

Jane Ann Langford is a Political and Reputational Vetting Analyst with the Political and Reputational Vetting team. She joined National Journal in 2023 after graduating from the University of Virginia with her Master’s in Public Policy and a B.A. in Foreign Affairs. Prior to joining the National Journal, Jane Ann completed internships in research and non-profit organizations. She grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and currently lives in Washington, DC.

Jenna Luisa Boccher

Research Associate

Jenna Luisa Boccher is a Research Associate for Gravity Research. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, a double minor in Latinx Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, and a certificate in Human Rights. During her time at Penn, she worked with local community organizations, interned with the State Department, and conducted research on social movements in Latin America. She is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Jessica Copenhaver

Associate Research Director, Political and Reputational Vetting

Jessica Copenhaver is an Associate Research Director with Gravity Research’s Political and Reputational Vetting team. She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Public Policy. Jessica has worked as a policy researcher with non-profits, academic institutions, and private entities. She is from Houston, Texas, and currently resides in North Carolina.

Jessica East

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Jessica East is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst with Gravity Research. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2023 with a degree in Anthropology and minors in Spanish and Linguistics. Prior to this role, she served as a Market Research Associate and Executive Assistant to the President of National Journal, completed an internship in People Operations, and worked under the Georgetown Anthropology department researching bio-militarization and the weaponization of natural resources. Originally from Idaho, Jessica now resides in the Northern Virginia area.

Kamaan Richards

Associate Research Director, Societal and Reputational Intelligence

Kamaan is an Associate Research Director with Gravity Research's Societal & Reputational Intelligence team. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2012-2017, then went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s of Political Science. He recently completed a master’s degree in Security Studies at Georgetown University. Originally from Houston, TX, Kamaan currently lives and works in Minneapolis, MN. Prior to joining Gravity Research, Kamaan served as the Multimedia Editor for the Minnesota Daily, and supported the Minnesota State Legislature.

Khulan Erdenedalai

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Khulan Erdenedalai is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst at Gravity Research. She graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Urban Studies. She has previously worked in policy and media circles with the Urban Institute, PBS NewsHour, U.S. Government, and Oxford's Economics Department. She grew up between Northern Virginia and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Kornelia Mostrous

Research Associate, Political and Reputational Vetting

Kornelia Mostrous is a Research Associate on the Political and Reputational Vetting team at Gravity Research. She graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in the College of Social Studies and Comparative Politics, a multidisciplinary major focused on history, government, political theory, and economics. Before joining Gravity Research, she interned at NVG LLC, where she conducted healthcare policy research, particularly on Medicare and Medicaid, analyzing how legislative and regulatory issues would impact the healthcare system. She was born and raised in the Washington D.C. area!

Lucy Carroll

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Lucy Carroll is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst at Gravity Research. She graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor's degree in International Studies, a minor in Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies, and a concentration in Arabic Language. Prior to her role at Gravity Research, she interned at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in their Middle East Program and at The Carter Center with the Conflict Resolution Program's Sudan team. She is originally from Sewanee, Tennessee and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Luke Benson

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Research Associate

Luke is excited to join the team as a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Research Associate. He studied Psychology at UC Berkeley with an emphasis on political psychology and research. He previously worked as a student researcher for the UC Center Sacramento and interned at the Fair Political Practices Commission where he conducted research on campaigns and elections. This past year he studied abroad in Berlin where he completed a research project on political polarization. He just moved from the Bay Area to Washington DC and is excited to explore!

Madison Greenhall

Associate Research Director, Societal and Reputational Intelligence

Madison Greenhall is an Associate Research Director, Societal and Reputational Intelligence for Gravity Research. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science and subsequently, recently completed an MSc from King’s College London in Global Health and Social Justice. Prior to joining the National Journal, she completed an internship at a specialist think tank and is a published researcher. Madison is from Charlotte, NC, but currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Matthew Peljovich

Public Policy Research Analyst

Matt Peljovich is a Public Policy Research Analyst for the Stakeholder Influence Analysis team at Gravity Research. He graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in Public Policy and a minor in Latin. At Duke, Matt completed research on topics ranging from defense budgeting to agricultural tax policy to water supply regulations. He previously interned at the Small Business Administration and the Campaign Legal Center. Born and raised in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Matt now resides in Washington, DC.

Mia Prange

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Mia Prange is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst at Gravity Research from Orange County, California. She graduated with a BA in International Relations and Art History from the University of Southern California and recently completed an MSc in Latin American Studies from the University of Oxford. Prior to joining the team at Gravity, Mia interned at the U.S. Department of State and the Council on Foreign Relations, and she has completed both an undergraduate thesis and graduate dissertation related to democracy in Central America.

Michael Decker

Research Director, Stakeholder Influence Analysis

Michael Decker is a Research Director for the Stakeholder Influence Analysis team. Prior to joining National Journal, Michael served as a Director within the Stand Together philanthropic community leading research for policy campaigns. He worked directly with nonprofits and foundations on advocacy efforts focused on healthcare, fiscal policy, and criminal justice reform. He received his Master’s of Science degree in Applied Economics from the University of Maryland and holds a Bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University. Originally from Savannah, GA, Michael currently resides in Washington, DC.

Peter Kaufmann

Senior Social Impact & Reputational Risk Analyst

Peter Kaufmann is a Senior Social Impact & Reputational Risk Analyst with the Stakeholder Influence Analysis. He obtained a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.A. in Public Anthropology from American University, the latter of which he completed in the summer of 2022. Prior to joining the National Journal, Peter worked at the media nonprofit The Institute for Public Accuracy, and also served as a Research Assistant under two anthropologists within his graduate department. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Peter has recently moved to the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Sarah Adkins

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Research Associate

Sarah Adkins is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Research Associate with Gravity Research. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in the spring of 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in history. Prior to joining National Journal, Sarah interned for U.S. Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02). She has also spent time working and volunteering with various organizations that promote the rights of women and the prevention of gender violence. Sarah has an interest in human rights, especially political violence and international law. She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and currently resides in Northern Baltimore County.

Sarah Heppen

Content & Marketing Strategist

Sarah Heppen is a Content & Marketing Strategist at Gravity Research, where she leads production of the firm's syndicated research and thought leadership content. Her work spans the full content lifecycle — from translating complex research into polished client deliverables to developing marketing materials that support business development. A graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University with a degree in Political Science, Sarah is originally from Philadelphia and is now based in Washington, D.C.

Sophia Dinman

Social Impact and Reputational Risk Research Analyst

Sophia Dinman is a Social Impact and Reputational Risk Research Analyst with Gravity Research. She obtained a B.A. in Political Science with minors in History and Environmental Studies from Seton Hall University. Additionally, she earned a certificate in Leadership from the Buccino Leadership Institute where she was also employed as the Institute’s Director of Strategic Communications. Her prior work experience involves internships with Senator Cory Booker, the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, and a New York City based political consulting firm. Sophia currently resides in the Northern Virginia area.

Stella Thé

Public Policy Research Analyst

sthe@gravityresearch.com

Stella Thé is a Public Policy Research Analyst with Gravity Research on their Stakeholder Influence Analysis team. Before joining Gravity Research, Stella held various public policy and government adjacent roles in the consulting, non-profit, and government subcontracting and staffing space. She graduated from American University with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) and a M.A. in Public Policy with a concentration in Crime, Public Law and Policy through their combined BA/MPP program.

Stephanie Ross

Political and Reputational Vetting Research Associate

Stephanie Ross is a Research Associate on the Political and Reputational Vetting team. She is a recent graduate from Stevens Institute of Technology, where she received a B.S. in Science Technology and Society and minors in Pre-Law and Public Policy, Science Communication, and Social Science. Previously, Stephanie worked at Pew Research Center as a Science and Society Research Intern and at Vot-ER as a Marketing and Communications Research Associate. Stephanie is originally from Long Island, NY.

Tyler Jones

Strategic Executive Advisor

Tyler Jones is the Strategic Executive Advisor with Gravity Research. Prior to this, Tyler was Director of Middle East & North Africa with Edelman Global Advisory (EGA), the corporate strategy and political risk consultancy arm of Edelman. In this position, Tyler led an international team of government affairs, communications, and policy practitioners and advised executive leadership teams on market access, strategic communications, regulatory navigation, and geopolitical risk. Before EGA, Tyler spent over a decade with the US Government as a senior Middle East policy advisor with a specialization in diplomatic affairs and national security. He worked in Baghdad, Iraq where he directed strategic US policy objectives during a period of government transition and heightened political and military tension across the region. Tyler subsequently worked in Amman, Jordan, during which time he managed a variety of US policy programs focused on regional security and senior diplomatic engagements. Originally from Michigan, Tyler earned his master’s degree in international security from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and his bachelor’s in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Michigan.

Tyson Rhodes

Senior Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst

Tyson Rhodes is a Senior Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst with Gravity Research. Prior to joining the National Journal, Tyson worked at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. During that same time he received his Master's in Public Policy from Pepperdine University. He is originally from California and still resides there.

Victoria Chung

Research Associate

Victoria is a Research Associate on the Political and Reputational Vetting team. She graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Political Science and Certificate in Data Science. Prior to Gravity Research, Victoria interned in her home district's congressional office. Victoria is from the suburbs of Philadelphia but currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Anjali Varma

Director of Partnerships and Strategy

Anjali Varma is the Director of Partnerships and Strategy for Gravity Research. Anjali is an adjunct professor at American University Kogod School of Business where she teaches a class which she co-created, Women In Organization Leadership and has served as a women's leadership consultant. Anjali is a former small business owner and entrepreneur. Prior to entrepreneurship, she worked at American Express in a variety of roles including partnerships, sales and marketing. Anjali is a graduate of New York University Stern School of Business and the University of Michigan. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and two sons.

Anne Koloski

Manager of Strategic Partnerships

Anne Koloski is the Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Gravity Research, where she leads high-impact collaboration with key stakeholders and drives strategic initiatives that support client success and business growth. With more than three years of experience in client engagement and operations, Anne has supported partnership development and operational initiatives that advance organizational goals. Prior to her current role, she served as a Senior Client Engagement & Operations Associate at Gravity Research, where she gained experience navigating complex client priorities and contributing to strategic initiatives. Anne holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a Pre-Law concentration from Appalachian State University. She currently resides in Washington, DC.

Emma Hopler

Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Emma Hopler is Manager, Strategic Partnerships at Gravity Research. She graduated from the George Washington University with a BA in International Affairs and a concentration in Gender. She also studied at the University of Amsterdam, where she focused on human trafficking prevention. Prior to Gravity Research, she held a number of politically focused internships including ones with EMILY’s List and The White House. Originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, Emma now lives in Washington D.C.

Elise Hogan

Manager of Partnerships and Strategy

Elise is a Manager of Partnerships and Strategy at Gravity Research. She graduated from Princeton University with an A.B. in African American Studies and Portuguese Language & Culture. Prior to Gravity Research, she worked as a senior researcher for a privately held research group, and wrote for various media publications. Originally from New Jersey, Elise now lives in Washington, D.C.

Isabella Newell

Senior Client Engagement Associate

Bella Newell serves as a Senior Client Engagement Associate on the Gravity Research Revenue Team. She recently graduated from Boston University with Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Relations, and concentrations in African Politics and Security Studies. She is a two-time State Department intern, having previously interned with the Africa Regional Media Hub and U.S. Embassy, Kinshasa. She has also worked in education, helping students, administrators, and BOE officials to advance K-12 international relations education in the U.S. and abroad. Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, she is very happy to once again reside in Washington, D.C.

Jessica Thompson

Client Engagement Associate

Jessica Thompson is a Client Engagement Associate at Gravity Research, where she drives growth initiatives and supports the firm’s expansion into new sectors. A relationship-driven professional, she partners with corporate public affairs and communications leaders to navigate complex reputation and policy environments and build enduring strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Gravity Research, Jessica worked in higher education and strategic partnerships, advising university leaders on advancing key institutional priorities. A native of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and a graduate of American University, she resides in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Jimmy Howard

Client Partnership Associate

Jimmy Howard serves as a Client Partnership Associate on the Gravity Research Revenue team. In this role, he specializes in building and cultivating partnerships for clients involved in Societal Reputational Intelligence as well as Stakeholder Influence Analysis. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in History. In recent years, Jimmy has interned in the Colorado House of Representatives as a Legislative Assistant and at The Heritage Foundation on the Development team. Jimmy is originally from Maryland but has lived a majority of his life in Colorado. He currently resides in Washington DC and is grateful to call this area his home once again.

Jon Davis

Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

Jon Davis is the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Gravity Research, helping organizations unlock strategic value through the firm’s Societal and Reputational Intelligence platform. He brings 15+ years of experience guiding Fortune 500 executives through change efforts and culture transformation. Previously, Jon was the Founder & CEO of a social impact advisory firm and was a Senior Consultant at The Center for Intentional Leadership. He is passionate about economic mobility and educational opportunity, having served on the board of Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and on a committee supporting Harvard's Opportunity Insights research on social capital. Jon received a BA from Davidson College in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. He grew up in Clearwater, FL and now resides in Washington, DC.

Kallie McGrath

Senior Events Manager

Kallie McGrath serves as the Senior Events Manager on Gravity Research’s Revenue Team, where she designs and executes dynamic, high-impact executive events that bring insights to life and deepen client relationships. Before joining Gravity Research, Kallie managed convenings and strategic research projects at EAB, partnering with higher education C-suite leaders on cross-functional initiatives focused on strategic talent management and artificial intelligence. Previously, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in New York City, overseeing volunteer and corporate service partnerships to support K–12 schools and their surrounding communities. Kallie holds a Master of Public Administration from American University in Washington, D.C., a Bachelor of Business Administration from Berkeley College in New York City, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.

Kira Bannister

Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships

Kira Bannister is a Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Gravity Research, where she works with corporate affairs, communications, and government affairs teams to navigate complex reputational issues. In this role, she supports client partnerships and helps organizations anticipate stakeholder pressure, identify emerging risks, and develop informed strategies. Kira brings experience in client engagement and operations, with a focus on translating complex insights into actionable guidance for partners. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where she double majored in Political Science and English. She currently resides in Washington, DC.

Masih Khybari

Senior Director of Partnership and Strategy

Masih Khybari is a Senior Director of Partnership and Strategy for Gravity Research. Prior to joining the National Journal, Masih served as Counselor at the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to higher education and economic development in Afghanistan. Masih holds an MSc from the London School of Economics in International Relations Theory and a LL.B. from Staffordshire University, where he focused on International Law. Masih serves on the Advisory Board of Women Forward International (WFI) and lives in Washington, D.C.

Molly Donnelly

Director, Audience Development and Strategy

Molly Donnelly serves as Director, Audience Development and Strategy on the Revenue Team for Gravity Research. In this role, she is primarily responsible for client onboarding and revenue operations for the Societal and Reputational Intelligence service as well as coordination of Gravity Research's virtual and in-person events. Prior to joining National Journal, Molly worked in corporate event management organizing and hosting conferences for C-suite executives across the US. Molly is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she obtained a BA in Communications, and she currently lives in Bethesda, MD.

Ryan DeRosa

Manager of Strategic Partnerships

Ryan DeRosa serves as a Manager of Strategic Partnerships on the Gravity Research Revenue Team. Over the past several years, he has held roles with the New York City Council, the New Castle County Land Use Department, and the United States Senate. Prior to transitioning into account management, Ryan worked as a Senior Client Engagement Associate, supporting new business development through targeted content marketing and event outreach campaigns. Ryan holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Environmental Studies and Public Policy from the University of Delaware, along with certificates in Sustainable Infrastructure, Planning and Design, and Historic Preservation. Originally from Long Island, New York, he currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Wyatt Hudgens

Chief of Staff, Revenue

Wyatt Hudgens is the Chief of Staff to the Gravity Revenue Team. He previously supported the president of National Journal, the president of National Journal Membership, and the president of National Journal Research as the Executive Assistant. Prior to joining National Journal, Wyatt interned for Protegrity, a cybersecurity and data protection company in Salt Lake City, Utah. Additionally, Wyatt interned for the U.S. Department of State in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Wyatt graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Political Science and a B.S. in Economics. Originally from Park City, UT, Wyatt currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Alice Crump

Executive Assistant

Alice Crump is the Executive Assistant to the CEO of NJG Group, the President of Gravity Research, the CSO of Gravity Research, and the CFO for NJG Group. Originally from Warner Robins, GA, Alice recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and double minors in Political Science and Women's Studies. During her time in Georgia Alice held a long-term internship with ORSI Public Relations Agency and was an active member in UGA's Public Relations Student Society of America. She currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Elli Miller

Employee Experience and Wellness Manager

Elli Kennedy Miller is the Employee Experience and Wellness Manager on the Talent and Culture team. Previous to this role, she worked for 2 years in people operations for a Utah based tech start up called Chatbooks. Elli is a Colorado native and a proud graduate of Brigham Young University. She is currently attending graduate school at Georgetown University alongside her husband. They reside in downtown DC.

Shaly Joseph

Associate Director of Recruiting

Shaly Joseph is the Associate Director of Recruiting for National Journal Group. Prior to joining the team, Shaly served as the Assistant Director of Membership and Intern Operations at NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. During her tenure at NASPA, Shaly managed membership initiatives, implemented strategic renewals campaigns, and developed short and long term data reporting solutions. In addition, she launched a robust internship program providing students with professional development opportunities that support their particular career interests/goals. Earlier, she worked in the Professional & Liberal Studies admissions office at Saint’s Joseph’s University, planning orientation and other recruitment events. Originally from Pennsylvania, Shaly earned a B.A from Saint Joseph’s University in Political Science with concentrations in History, Asian Studies and European Politics.

Edgard Lacayo

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Edgard Lacayo serves as the Accounts Receivable Specialist on the Finance team. Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, he graduated from Roanoke College with a BBA and a concentration in Finance and another concentration in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. In his previous position, he worked as an accounting assistant in Nicaragua. During his time at Roanoke College, he served as a research assistant to multiple professors in the Modern Languages and History departments as well as a staff reporter for the college’s student run newspaper, The Brackety Ack. He currently resides in Annandale, Virginia.

Michael Breton

Assistant Controller

Michael Breton serves as Assistant Controller for both National Journal Group and Bradley Media Holdings. Prior to joining the company in 2018 as a staff accountant, he worked at Plex Systems in Reston, VA and Wedding Wire in Chevy Chase, MD. A Marylander at heart, Michael attended The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in NY, New York due to his love of Society, the fashion industry, European history and literature, pop culture and the arts, majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications. Realizing that his home and heart belonged in the DMV area, he then moved back to the DC metropolitan area to be close with his family and to pursue a career in business and accounting. He earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting and Business Management from the University of Maryland, University College. Michael lives in Bethesda, MD and enjoys a buttered lobster roll in Annapolis, MD once in a while.

Chris Dornfeld

Senior Vice President, Technology

Chris Dornfeld is senior vice president of technology at National Journal, where he’s responsible for crafting and executing the vision for NJ’s interactive offerings and overseeing information technology. Prior to National Journal, Chris held senior leadership roles in engineering and analytics at Manifest and co-founded a DC-based web development firm. Chris holds a B.S. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon and is widely recognized for typing very fast and very loud. He lives in Washington.

Andrew Littler

Senior Web Developer

Andrew Littler is a Senior Web Developer with National Journal Group. He graduated from University of St. Thomas in Minnesota with a B.A. in Computer Science. Prior to joining National Journal, Andrew worked in various IT related roles at different companies. He currently lives in Minnesota.