Leadership

Garry Curtis, President and CEO

Smart, intuitive, and decisive. With a steady hand and decades of experience, fearless leader Garry Curtis is the driving force behind Hager Sharp’s success. Need some institutional knowledge? Interested in learning best practices from someone who knows the public relations landscape inside and out? Garry’s your man. Always cool as a cucumber, Garry’s depth of knowledge speaks for itself.

As President & CEO of Hager Sharp, Garry guides the strategic vision of the firm: to do well, by doing good. He helps match the right talent with the right resources to the right clients to get the right results. Staff and clients alike look to Garry for his clear vision and thoughtful counsel.

Garry knows Hager Sharp forward and back—with almost two decades of experience with the firm. For years, he served as the right hand (and left brain) to founder Susan Hager as the firm’s Executive Vice President and director of client services responsible for all engagements. His track record as a project manager—and his background in association management—gives him a deep well of “in the trenches” experience to draw from.

Garry has built the firm’s health and safety practice, and in the process has helped bring diabetes awareness and education to the forefront of the national conversation, urged older adults to get tested for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pushed families to change their smoke alarm batteries regularly, and made front page news highlighting indicators of child well-being nationwide. A seasoned pro in strategic planning and social marketing research, Garry provides senior counsel on specific projects. Results-oriented yet always able to see the big picture, Garry guides Hager Sharp to fulfill our original mission: helping people live smarter, safer, and healthier lives.

Proudest career accomplishment:  Aside from successes at Hager Sharp, helping build the foundations of Leadership Greater Washington.

What energizes you?  Translating complex information into messages and outreach efforts that can make a difference.

Favorite book:  I can always re-read Vonnegut.

Interests:  Live jazz, good food.

Favorite City:  London.
 

Debra Silimeo, Senior Vice President

Debra is the leader you want around when the pressure is on. A strategist who works best under the gun, she has a keen eye towards the big picture and an unflappable quality that guarantees success. Never one to take herself too seriously, you can always count on Debra to lighten the mood and make a tense situation much more enjoyable.

As Senior Vice President of Hager Sharp, Debra designs and manages large-scale national communications efforts including message development, creative, media and social media strategy, and working with policymakers and thought leaders.  She’s played a major role in the firm’s management and growth, building an education team that continually delivers outstanding results for clients such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, widely called “the Nation’s Report Card.” The revamped “report card” has won top national awards, as have related outreach materials and strategies, and high school student participation in the assessment rose 13 percentage points. Debra also provides strategic counsel for a range of clients, including the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.

Debra brings a reporter’s eye for news to her work at Hager Sharp, and high-level experience in public policy communications. She led communications at two Cabinet-level agencies: the Commerce Department during the highly contentious US-China trade agreement; and the Small Business Administration, where she led a re-brand of the agency.  As a member of the Senate Leadership staff, she organized communication activities involving the President, Cabinet members, and Congressional Leaders. She was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia —the country’s leading fellowship for business and economics journalism. She was recently recognized by Washington Women in Public Relations as the PR “Woman of the Year.”

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Brenda Starr, star reporter.  She had a fabulous big city newsroom job, adventurous assignments, and, oh yes, the mysterious Black Orchid guy. 

Proudest career accomplishment:  The re-brand of the US Small Business Administration, shifting the focus from programs to customers, and aggressive outreach, which led to record levels of small business assistance. I’d also list being involved in the 1996 effort to increase in the minimum wage – which helped millions of American families.

Biggest “aha” moment: The story-telling ability you hone as a reporter translates into so many opportunities outside the newsroom. 

Previous work experience: Packing donuts, bartender, rock concert support, radio/TV reporter in Washington, U.S. Senate leadership staff, and communications advisor in Clinton Administration. You decide what’s most relevant to today’s work.

Interests:  Working on an un-assisted yoga headstand. 

Karen Cassiday, Chief Operating Officer

She has a quick smile, an impressive bag of tricks, and endless patience. She stays calm and composed, even when the pressure is on or a deadline is looming. In short, she's the person we count on to prevent—or solve—nearly any problem. 

As the firm's Chief Operating Officer, Karen ensures that Hager Sharp operates as a well-oiled machine. She oversees everything from human resources and new business development to Hager Sharp’s information technology systems. She administers our health, dental, and long-term disability plans. She also serves as ESOP Trustee for Hager Sharp's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  

Karen has been with Hager Sharp for over a decade, brings over 20 years of computer skills to the firm that includes both hardware and software installation, configuration and training as well as network administration. She is also an organ donor—having provided her kidney to the Susan Hager, the firm’s founder, in 2001.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.

What energizes you?  Working with great people and knowing our efforts make a difference in the lives of people.  Being appreciated, valued and challenged keeps me engaged and enthusiastic.

Last vacation:  Went to Portugal and spent a week with my daughter (who’s serving a third year as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal) and celebrated her 25th birthday!

Interests: Family, friends, travel and experiencing different cultures and cuisines, cooking, baking, wine tasting, painting, gardening, my dog, Butch Cassiday.

Favorite Quote: To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Walter Watts, Chief Financial Officer

Money-man Walter has been Hager Sharp’s Chief Financial Officer for five years. As such, he is very popular among staff, who welcome his timely delivery of bi-monthly paychecks. Hager Sharpers also appreciate Walter’s dry sense of humor and deadpan delivery while sharing updates in weekly staff meetings. Walter’s only noticeable flaw is his proclivity for supporting the Dallas Cowboys.

Walter is responsible for the firm’s accounting, contracting, invoicing and cash management. With over a decade of experience in delivering sound accounting practices for government clients, Watts strives for flawless preparation and submission of budgets, invoices and government audits. He ensures financial statements are prepared in conformance with GAAP, FAR and CAS. Watts is a member of the Hager Sharp’s Executive Committee.

Lisa Jacques, Vice President

Lisa is nothing if not driven, committed, and savvy. Her teammates will describe her as a strong manager, a hard worker, and an expert at translating complex statistical data into audience-friendly information. She is invested not only in her work, but in her coworkers—advocating for their continued professional growth, pushing them to succeed, and encouraging them to face new challenges head on. Lisa appreciates a good time, and on any given day her boisterous laugh can be heard throughout the office.

As vice president on the education team, Lisa oversees the day-to-day management of the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Lisa runs a soup to nuts operation—managing the team, participating in design, writing, and editing of various publications, working to ensure consistency of messages, developing collateral materials including talking points, representing the client at education industry trade shows and conferences, managing the NAEP/Nation’s Report Card rebrand for NCES, and leading the team to develop media strategy for numerous report releases.

Over the course of the NAEP contract Lisa has become a subject matter expert, and the client has come to trust and depend on her counsel. For nearly a decade, she has immersed herself in the education arena, and has developed a depth of institutional knowledge that few others possess. A strategic thinker, Lisa enjoys seeing projects through—from the initial brainstorming and planning phases to the final execution. It is this eagerness and enthusiasm, paired with unparalleled expertise that makes Lisa a pleasure to work with. Just ask her clients and colleagues!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I never planned on growing up.

What energizes you? Getting to work every day with some of the smartest, funniest, nicest people I know.

Last vacation: Belated honeymoon to St. Lucia. 

Blackberry, Droid, or iPhone? iPhone.  I love Siri, even though she doesn’t always return the affection.

Favorite Quote: Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it. - That Ferris Bueller is a smart boy.

Lynne Doner Lotenberg, Vice President Strategic Planning & Research

Has literally written the book—more than once—on social marketing.  Gets really excited about titles like Reframing Health Behavior with Behavioral Economics. Likes research because she’s insatiably curious—and it makes asking personal questions a socially acceptable behavior, even for a nice Midwesterner like her.

Think of Lynne as our interactive encyclopedia of how to plan and monitor efforts to bring about social change.  With over two decades of experience addressing health and social issues, she is an in-house resource for every Hager Sharp account, enriching our work with a sophisticated understanding of how to design effective, efficient communication research, sound strategy, and evaluations that capture success and improve programs. 

A big believer in not reinventing the wheel, Lynne has honed pragmatic, theory- and evidence-based approaches to understanding behavior and the context in which it occurs. She has conducted or overseen hundreds of research projects (both qualitative and quantitative) that support every aspect of national communication campaigns: planning strategy, developing messages and materials, monitoring and refining implementation, and evaluating success. She’s been into research since her college days, plunging into data analysis and public opinion polling while earning a B.S. in advertising and M.A. in mass communication from the University of Florida. She also devotes substantial energy to improving the practice of social marketing and health communication through publishing, speaking, and serving as co-editor of Social Marketing Quarterly.

Greatest career challenge: It was probably planning and chairing a major conference taking place across the country while simultaneously working, renovating most of our house (in which my office was located), and having a baby. Colleagues still reminisce about the construction noise.

Biggest “aha” moment: That my real value is an ability to understand different points of view, “translate” between people from different professional backgrounds, and find that common ground so communications can be scientifically accurate yet still adhere to the principles of effective communications.

Most embarrassing moment: If it’s all that embarrassing, I’ve undoubtedly suppressed it.

Interests: Other countries and cultures, history, reading, gardening, cooking, knitting, photography. Or at least those were my interests when I had time to pursue them! 

Favorite City: Istanbul. It's fascinating—so much history, interesting sights – and a lot of fun.

Lisa Marinelli, Vice President

Don’t let her cheerful nature and contagious smile fool you—Lisa Marinelli is assertive, engaged, meticulous, and results-oriented—the kind of leader every client wants on their team. Her rich background in health communications brings a depth of experience to every project, and her self-assurance puts both clients and coworkers at ease.

Lisa is a seasoned project director with more than 15 years of experience creating and managing communications programs for non-profit, academic, and pharmaceutical organizations.  Her expertise includes public health education programs with emphasis on diabetes, partnership development, media outreach, and creation of patient recruitment and retention campaigns for clinical research trials. She currently oversees one of Hager Sharp’s largest contracts, the National Diabetes Education Program, a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and over 200 public and private organizations.

Lisa’s strengths are derived from her first-hand experience delivering health marketing and communications campaigns—she understands social marketing approaches, the media environment, and the latest digital trends that help health communications come alive for target audiences. Her wealth of experience in overseeing large and complex projects positions her well for directing multifaceted health communications initiatives.

 As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? President of the United States.

Biggest “aha” moment:  Meeting the Dalai Lama.

Favorite book: Proust Was A Neuroscientist.

Last vacation: Turks and Caicos.

Favorite Quote: The purpose of life is a life of purpose. - Robert Byrne

Siobhan Mueller, Vice President

Siobhan brings wit, style, confidence, and an author’s eye to detail. She pushes those around her to think differently, and never settles for a product less than the highest quality.

As a senior manager in our education practice for nearly a decade, Siobhan led our work on behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics’ National Assessment of Educational Progress. She led a team that provided branding, design, media relations, and stakeholder outreach; and supported the client in its work with its policy board.  She is highly skilled at working across a range of stakeholders, helping them frame messages consistently to support the client’s “brand.” 

A strategic thinker, Siobhan has more than 15 years of public relations experience. While many find it easy to stick with traditional methods, Siobhan pushes the envelope—always advocating for the continuous evolution of ideas. Siobhan has worked with a broad range of clients including nonprofits, trade associations and technology companies. She has proven success in managing multi-faceted, large-scale communications programs and has developed and managed regional and national publicity, education and awareness campaigns.

 As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Dr. Dolittle. (So I could talk to the animals).

Biggest “aha” moment: That the more I learn, the more I realize how much there IS to learn. 

Last vacation: Booth Bay, Maine.  The rental house was falling down, but with a view clear to France and a lobster roll in one hand and a drink in the other… who was I to complain?

Interests: My children, Beck and Lulu. They are the most interesting people I know.

Favorite City: Domestically? San Francisco. Internationally? Dublin.

Darcy Sawatzki, Vice President

Infectious enthusiasm. Palpable passion. And an uncanny knack for moving even the most challenging projects forward at a remarkable pace.

Darcy is a long-time Hager Sharper with a glowing track record across the board: project management, social marketing, campaign development, media and partner relations, and multicultural outreach.

Darcy began her tenure at Hager Sharp over twelve years ago, and from the start she has helped cultivate and grow the firm’s health practice. Darcy is project manager for the award-winning Best Bones Forever!, a girls’ bone health campaign for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Under her leadership, the team has built an extensive partnership network, developed powerful messages and materials that resonate with adolescent girls, generated hundreds of millions of media impressions, and coordinated national and community-level events.

Darcy’s hands-on approach puts clients at ease and guarantees results – largely because it is rooted in her deep experience communicating about complex health issues and her knowledge of what works in social marketing and national communication campaigns. She has managed everything from media training of 200 scientists for the National Cancer Institute to development of two bilingual campaigns for the National Diabetes Education Program. She holds an M.A. in Communication in a Contemporary Society from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Foreign Language and Communications Media from American University. 

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? At one point, I wanted to produce the Golden Globe Awards, because I thought the Hollywood Foreign Press sounded very glamorous.

Proudest career accomplishment: Getting Lynne Doner Lotenberg to come work for Hager Sharp is the most recent!

The other high points of my career—teaching Michelle Obama the Best Bones Forever! dance at the White House, coordinating media relations in Paris for the President’s Cancer Panel, and (inadvertently) getting quoted in a Washington Post Food section story for the 5 A Day for Better Health Program—were all achieved with the help and support of a brilliant team.

What energizes you? Making big ideas become a reality. And that can only happen with a team who—with a shared vision and complementary strengths—motivate each other to keep pressing to accomplish great results.

Interests: My hilarious daughter, traveling, food (including my budget-busting ‘Top 100 Restaurant’ hobby), social marketing, dancing, pop culture.

Favorite City: Takoma Park, MD; Safety Harbor, FL; and Paris, France. The combination of those three may have it all.