About Us

Craig is an experienced communications strategist who has served in high-level positions in local, state, and federal politics. At Ascend, he specializes in messaging and strategy, script and content development, and email marketing. Prior to launching Ascend, Craig was a long-time senior advisor to Governor Jared Polis (D-Colo.), serving as his Congressional Press Secretary and later leading speechwriting and messaging for his successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Craig’s experience also includes serving as Communications Director for former Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) as well as managing digital media campaigns for nonprofits and private sector companies throughout the Western United States.

Michael has eight cycles of campaign experience and digital strategy. At Ascend, he specializes in video production, ad buying, email and SMS deliverability, and targeting. Michael’s experience also includes serving on presidential campaigns, gubernatorial races, managing digital operations for a variety of startup businesses, and working as an organizer on Democratic campaigns across the nation.

Bailey is an experienced digital strategist who’s raised more than $100 million online for Democratic candidates and causes. As a Principal at Ascend, she specializes in digital fundraising strategy, list-building and email and text message marketing. Before joining Ascend, she served as Senior Advisor for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) campaign, building a first-of-its-kind digital fundraising and persuasion program to reelect Senator Schumer to a historic fifth term and expand Democrats’ majority in the U.S. Senate. She also was Digital Director for Governor Steve Bullock's (D-Mont.) campaigns for president and U.S. Senate. Throughout her career, she’s led innovative online fundraising programs for campaigns at every level, from state legislative races to some of the most competitive Senate and special election campaigns in the country.

Tori brings creative and data-driven techniques to the Ascend team as Director of Digital Fundraising. She has extensive experience helping progressive candidates, non-profits, ballot initiatives, and more achieve and surpass their digital fundraising goals. As a native Pennsylvania, Tori served as Digital Director for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf's re-election in 2018, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro's re-election campaign in 2020, surpassing fundraising goals from small-dollar donations and keeping campaigns at the forefront of emerging trends. Previously, she led a creative team overseeing the online fundraising and digital advocacy for a variety of progressive organizations, ballot initiatives, PACs, and non-profits for multiple election cycles, ensuring email list growth and health in addition to raising millions in competitive cycles.

Eric has created successful fundraising content since 2020. His experience includes writing engaging email, text, and Facebook Ads content for a wide variety of Democratic candidates and organizations — along with other marketing skills, including graphics, press releases, and social media copy.

Ishani Patel has diverse experience in media and political communications, with internships on Capitol Hill, for non-profits, George Washington University, and a digital agency. She led communications for student organizations and developed skills in copywriting, trend research, digital strategy, graphic design, and video production. Ishani is excited to bring this experience to Ascend to drive impactful digital fundraising campaigns.

Remy is one sharp pup who works as a Pawlitics Associate at Ascend, and knows how to fetch results. With his ability to stay ahead of the pack and always sniff out the latest trends, he's a true top dog in the industry. Whether it's crafting the pawfect message or unleashing a barketing campaign, Remy's always eager to put his pawlitics degree to work!