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Meet The Team Behind Your Content

Swoosh
We are a passionate group of entrepreneurs, writers, and content junkies who love what we do. With backgrounds ranging from journalism to tech startups to Fortune 500 companies, we tackle the world of thought leadership and content marketing from all angles.
I love reading, learning, golf, orange Gatorade, and, most importantly, our amazing Influence & Co. team.

Kelsey Raymond

Co-founder, CEO
I have a passion for building the credibility of companies and individuals. I love what I do, mostly because of the talented group on this page.

John Hall

Co-founder, Advisor
My goal is to create an amazing experience for our clients from their very first interaction with our brand. My happy place is anywhere with good wine and cheese.

Alyssa Patzius

Vice President of Client Experience
I love the diversity of my career. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, which enable me to constantly learn and grow as a professional.

Courtney Mudd

Director of Human Resources
I'm creatively passionate about making every day the greatest day of my life. I'm a lover of trying new things, telling stories, and, of course, singing along to my favorite song, "Call Me Maybe."

Taylor Oster

Director of Marketing

Account & Content Strategy

Your account strategist is the lead on your account; he or she is in charge of creating and implementing your content strategy and is your dedicated point of contact throughout our process (as well as your new best friend). Your content strategist is the master of your content. He or she works to ensure that your content is engaging and effective.
I'm a hopeless bookworm seeking to satisfy my inquisitive nature. I adore my family, coffee, and watching a thunderstorm roll in.

Jennifer Faddis

Director of Account Services
I'm a nerd at heart with a background in biochemistry and an adoration for articles. I enjoy getting lost in the woods, old record players, exploring new places, and attempting to paint (heavy on the word “attempting”).

Sara Koller

Director of Account Services
I'm constantly fascinated by the written word in all its forms. Outside of crafting content at Influence & Co., I enjoy guitars, vintage Polaroids, camping with my family, and a good pair of boots.

Robert Watson

Director of Account Services
I find joy in leaving things better than I found them and helping people reach their goals. You can count on me to always have some sort of beverage on hand and not leave a meeting without a next step.

Joanie Zinser

Director of Account Services
All I need is coffee, cats, and chocolate. Like most New Zealanders, I love Marmite on toast, 3 a.m. rugby matches on TV, and calling flip-flops "jandals."

Frances Gordon

Senior Content Strategist
I enjoy crafting content to be the best it can be. I also enjoy spending time with my family, songwriting, recording, and hiking.

Kyle Kelley

Senior Content Strategist
Outside of my daily role as a marketer, I'm known as a few other things: cat lover, Ryan Gosling adorer, book lover, "Real Housewives" watcher, and an obsessive proponent of all things Kentucky-related.

Lindsey Poenie

Senior Account Strategist
I’m a lover of chai tea, self-care, and all things spicy. When I’m not talking strategy, you can find me cheering on my KC Royals and Chiefs, playing outside with my pup, eating chips and salsa, practicing yoga, or bingeing a suspenseful Netflix series.

Kara Shobe

Senior Account Strategist
Outside of my love for strategically working with my team and our clients, you can find me pushing my caffeine limits at quaint coffee shops, geeking out to nutrition and fitness podcasts, forcing my love on my 90-pound lapdog, or settling into my new role as my husband’s biggest hype woman.

Morgan Williams

Senior Account Strategist
Like the true Texan that I am, nothing can brighten my day like some chips and salsa paired with a fresh margarita. When I’m not creating content, you can find me learning a new baking technique, watching The Office for the 8th time, or perusing the aisles of Target.

Chelsea Branscum

Creative Strategist
I love great people, products, and ideas, but I love compelling content that effectively communicates those things even more. I pretend I'm not a content marketing nerd by riding my motorcycle, grilling, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Sarah Czirr

Account Strategist
You will never find a more devoted foe of imprecise, drab writing. I devour caffeine, news blogs and heavy metal.

Jeremy Doherty

Content Strategist
Charlie Chaplin said it best: “A day without laughter is a day wasted,” which is why I love sitcoms. I also love reading and spending time with my family. A total foodie, I am always on the lookout for the next great restaurant.

Susan Goedde

Content Strategist
I love traveling to new places and buying new shoes. I also love meeting new people — if you do, too, let's grab a time to connect and chat about content!

Alexa Hartwig

Account Strategist
I enjoy meeting new people, building relationships, and learning about new and creative ways to distribute content. Three words to describe me? Sarcasm, sitcoms, and sandwiches. When I'm not binge-watching "Friends," I love cooking, trying new restaurants, traveling, and stopping people to pet their dog!

Bri Hickman

Account Strategist
My addiction to the news is a gift in my role as a content strategist. Constantly learning about current events in new industries allows me to come up with inventive strategies for reaching target audiences with content that will command their attention, capture their imagination, and leave them wanting more.

Bridget Healy

Content Strategist
Getting to know the clients and learning more about them is my favorite thing about Influence & Co.! Outside of work, I am at the gym, binge-watching a Netflix series, or talking your ear off about Chiefs football!

Aaron Heathman

Account Strategist
Talk to me about marketing! Paid, social, and (of course) SEO. Afterward, you can find me at the gym or hanging out with my rescue pup.

Ellie Huang

Search Analyst
I'm a travel-loving yoga fanatic with an appetite for great storytelling. I'll never turn down Asian cuisine, live music, or any opportunity for an adrenaline rush.

Alyssa Johnson

Content Strategist
I enjoy learning new things, meeting new people, and talking about sports. I’m a devoted New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Missouri Tigers fan, and I love watching tennis and women’s basketball. I’m always eager to swap podcast recommendations, and I’ll never turn down Thai food or a good book.

Jacqueline LeBlanc

Account Strategist
Strategic communication is at the core of who I am. Building meaningful relationships, crafting content, and outlining the foundation for our clients' marketing strategy are what get me excited to come to work every day. I'm a swammer, photographer, and LGBTQ+ advocate, and I definitely consume too much social media.

Matthias McManus

Content Strategist
I'm passionate about digital marketing, particularly SEO. I enjoy sports, traveling, Lake of the Ozarks, spending time with family and friends, and whatever else life throws my way.

Tony Patrick

Director of Digitial Marketing
Like everyone else here, I love to read, but I also love to watch bad horror movies and tweet about Colorado Rockies baseball. Proud wiener dog owner.

Matt Patston

Content Strategist
My perfect Saturday is full of time spent outside with my dog, biking around town, cooking something crazy, or watching "The Office" (again and again and again). If I’m not doing any of those, you can find me reading true crime books and babbling on about celebrity chefs.

Louise Sarver

Account Strategist
Sometimes a rose is just a rose, but man, do I love it when it’s something else. I’m always looking to connect dots and uncover insights, but when my mind needs a break, you can find me bingeing true crime docs, baking banana bread, or Googling “sushi near me.”

Jasmine Serrano

Content Strategist
I enjoy partnering with our clients and becoming their personal content consultant, creating timeless and thought-provoking articles. I enjoy a good book, passionate and inspiring conversations, family outings, exquisite BBQ, and all things Columbia College.

D'Markus Thomas-Brown

Account Strategist
I'm passionate about making good ideas better and finding the ideal music to complement a mood. After work, you can catch me between the record store and the gym.

Scott Trausch

Content Strategist

Business Development & Marketing

Our business development/marketing team is all about getting our name out there. This team of extroverts loves starting your journey with Influence & Co. out on the right foot.
I love the St. Louis Cardinals, Mr. Pibb, and Reese's. My favorite things to do are spend time with my family, play outside, and wrestle with my Great Dane.

Cherish Grimm

Vice President
I am a lover of entrepreneurship, learning, and making a difference. The "St. Louis" Rams will always have a special place in my heart.

Matt Kamp

SVP
I like my coffee black, my whiskey straight, and travel when I can afford it. I think most people just want to feel heard, and I’m happy to comply. I've also taken a sworn oath to never eat sushi.

Brittni Ratliff

Vice President
I'm an outgoing die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and sushi enthusiast. I get excited about creative writing and helping entrepreneurs present their accomplishments to the public.

Becky Ruyle

Client Engagement Specialist
I enjoy riding horses, helping entrepreneurs creatively achieve success, and eating chocolate (sometimes simultaneously). My love of coffee helps fuel my passions for continuing education and technology.

Natalie Stezovsky

Vice President

Editorial

This team of grammar gods and goddesses can’t wait to obsess over your content. This team loves to read, write, edit, and enhance your content to ensure that it's in tip-top shape.
Former journalist, word nerd, and voracious consumer of creative nonfiction. I like my takes hot, my Cheetos flamin’, and my coffee cold-brewed.

Katie Doherty

Managing Editor
I’m a technology nerd and recovering newspaperman who values punctuality, creativity, and brevity. I also make a wicked Key lime pie.

Ryan Gauthier

Managing Editor
Things I like: SpongeBob memes, Roxane Gay’s Twitter zingers, punk rock, spell-check, Lizzo’s flute, feminist literature. Things I like less: being woken up in the middle of the night by my cats eating plastic in the other room, seeing wasps, accidentally killing houseplants.

Diane McGraw

Managing Editor
I love my menfolk, plying people with food and drink, traveling, music, and film. When I'm not buffing content to a shine, I wield a mean cocktail shaker, read books in threes, and do the NYT crossword puzzle (in pen, like my dad).

Karen Pasley

Managing Editor
I'm a content-obsessed word person with a passion for finding the coziest coffee shop in town. In my downtime, you can find me reading a book, sipping a latte, getting artsy, or watching "The Office" for the zillionth time.

Lauren Tellman

Managing Editor
Words are cool. I like sports, TV, and breakfast food at any time of the day. Seriously, let’s go get an omelet.

Joshua Mosley

Senior Editor
A child who grew up reading the dictionary for fun turned into an adult-sized boy who obsesses over syllables, synonyms[,] and syntax. Devout Oxford comma detractor and Cardinals baseball radio listener.

Kevin Carlson

Editor
I have a passion for words and organizing, which landed me where I am today. When I'm not rearranging sentences or poring through style guides, you'll probably find me fermenting random things, trying new restaurants or recipes, hiking, gardening, or hanging out with my two beautiful cats (who also happen to have silly human names).

Marlee Ellison

Editor
I have always loved the inner workings of language and diving deep into the rules of grammar, style, and usage. My other passions include dogs (specifically my very large dog, Lucy), live music, and all things '90s.

Jenna Fear

Editor
I’m a dog person who ended up with two cats and a fish named Relish. After work, you can probably find me at the library or playing games with my partner, Cory, and little dude, Jude. I believe bookmarks are for quitters.

Laura Heck

Editor
A former journalist who wound up enjoying red-lining over story-scooping. I'm [literally] good at reading in between the lines. (Also, cats and books are life.)

Amanda Keefe

Editor
I'm a mix of the lexicon of sports, the mystery of word games, and the poetry of rock 'n' roll. When I'm not telling other people's stories, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time with my family.

Matt Nestor

Editor
Don't ask me about my opinion on the Oxford comma — it's complicated, but I do love a good em dash. When I'm not editing, I can be found drinking a cup of tea, reading multiple books at a time(,) and watching "The Office."

Kendra Ruether

Editor
When I'm not editing, I keep busy walking my dog, being a mom, checking out new restaurants with friends, and watching rom-coms or anything that makes me laugh.

Michelle Smith

Editor
I’m a recovering academic who literally wrote a book about telling stories on digital media. Professionally, I’m into folklore and writing. Outside of work, I spend my time with my husband and kids or watching stand-up comedy.

Jennifer Spitulnik

Editor
I am equal parts love of books, politics, coffee, '90s sitcoms, NPR, and Christmas music. And the Oxford comma. And, apparently, incomplete sentences for the sake of emphasis.

Taylor Todd

Editor

Media Relations

Our media relations team loves everything about online publications. This team works directly with the managing editors, reporters, and contributors at the hundreds of publications that we have relationships with to ensure our clients' articles are published and secure press mentions about the businesses.
I love finding new publications! I am a runner and wine enthusiast. I use entirely too many exclamation points!

Melanie Janisse

Senior Director of Media Relations
As a senior publication strategist, my life revolves around great content. When I'm not playing with my dogs or chasing around my toddler, you can probably find me curled up with a good book somewhere.

Katherine Caraway

Senior Publication Strategist
Your friendly neighborhood philomath and Miss Fix-It, currently dipping my toes (er, thumbs?) into plant parenthood, astrology, and writing. I’m a social justice and LGBTQ+ advocate, content lover, and dad joke maker. Three is my favorite number.

Meagan Nolte

Senior Publication Strategist
I'm a storyteller and coffee addict. I love my family, dogs, work, and waffles. A good day is a day I learned something new.

Megan Favignano

PR Content Strategist/Editor
I love my job because I love working with content. My perfect day involves mimosas, succulents, edits, and watching "The Great British Bake Off" with my husband.

Kayla FitzGerald

PR Content Strategist/Editor
I love cold-brew coffee, dogs, breakfast foods, watching crime dramas, puns, and checking off tasks on my to-do list. Sometimes life is a PR pitch, but I love having the opportunity to tell our clients' stories to the media each day.

Maddie Hirsch

PR & Media Relations Strategist
I love connecting to the past, present, and future through great storytelling. I spend most of my time quoting movies, and I have been personally victimized by Regina George.

Craig Jaworski

Publication Strategist
Former journalist now working in the wonderful world of content marketing. When I'm not handling your content, you might find me tending to my grill, reading, or watching hockey.

Mike Miller

Writer/Editor
A coffee-powered health and fitness addict, blogger, and adventure seeker who loves absorbing content from the comfort of her own couch. (Yeah, I’m one of ICo's remoters : )). You can catch this dog mom and wannabe photog living life to the absolute fullest in Denver, Colorado.

Rachel Price

Publication Strategist
I spent my first two decades in Chicago and my last decade in Missouri. I studied journalism at the University of Missouri and enjoyed a stint as a minor league baseball broadcaster after school. I consume media, I enjoy watching baseball, I like to cook, and I love to eat even more. I named my dog "Captain Dog" because it makes me laugh.

Daniel Trivinos

Publication Strategist
This native Floridian has never experienced a casual emotion in her life. When I’m not watching YouTube vloggers or listening to podcasts, you’ll find me consuming any and all forms of bread, talking about social justice, or playing Diner Dash.

Ardyst Zigler

PR & Media Relations Strategist

Operations

From the software that we use every day to fun team-bonding activities, this group makes all of the magic happen behind the scenes to ensure that the Influence & Co. team has everything that we need to thrive in a happy and healthy work environment.
I am a lover of organization and number crunching. Throw in a chocolate chip cookie, a good slice of pizza, and some ‘90s country, and I'm in my happy place.

Kaity Baker

Bookkeeper
I’m a content enthusiast who loves to bring people together and support my teammates' personal and professional growth. If I’m not in the office, I’m probably listening to a podcast, reading, or playing board games with my husband.

Emily Datz

Professional Development Coordinator
I am a devoted mother to one son and twin daughters. I am no stranger to challenges and welcome them, whether they’re at home or at work. I love my music loud and my coffee black.

Denise Grimm

Office Manager
I am a lover of all things KC, live music, and outdoor drinking (or any combination of the three). I'm always looking out for the best interests of my teammates, as well as opportunities to seamlessly slip a Michael Scott quote into conversations.

Erin Holm

Director of Talent Acquisition
I am a bilingual accountant and soccer fan who enjoys movies, Netflix, warm weather, running, black coffee, hanging out with friends, and being a family man!

Jose Rodriguez

Director of Financial Operations
Like a good game of Tetris, I love connecting people and ideas. Exploring new places, new technologies, and well-crafted stories makes me a better person. I am on a crusade to bring back the handwritten thank-you note.

Carrie Watkins

Director of Special Projects
Working in the hospitality industry for 20 years, I gained experience in managing employees and creating lasting relationships with them. The diverse array of individuals at ICo makes my job exciting, and it's great to be part of a team whose members care for one another. Outside of work, I am hanging out with friends or playing with my pup Rocco.

Jason Wehmeyer

HR Administration Assistant
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Let's Chat

Want to learn more about how our content marketing agency can provide a turnkey solution for your company’s content marketing efforts?

Tell us more about what you are looking for, and let’s start the conversation.

Let's Chat

Want to learn more about how our content marketing agency can provide a turnkey solution for your company’s content marketing efforts?

Tell us more about what you are looking for, and let’s start the conversation.

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