Partners
Partner and Co-Founder
Amy works with innovators seeking to change the world in big and surprising ways. She is an industry leader trusted by global health organizations, philanthropies, high-profile individuals, family offices, for profit companies and social impact organizations.
Prior to co-founding Newton Street, Amy worked at the center of global health and development, crafting international media strategies for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its leaders for nearly 15 years. She led a high-performing team of professionals in the United States and collaborated with colleagues in offices around the world in support of more than a dozen major resource mobilizations for global partnerships such as Gavi and the Global Fund. She drove top-tier media engagement across annual events, including the World Economic Forum at Davos and the UN General Assembly, and led crisis communications and reputation risk management for the foundation.
Amy has worked in Seattle, D.C., and London. She got her start at PR agency Hill & Knowlton and holds a bachelor’s degree in English and public relations from Gonzaga University. She currently serves on the Dean of the Business School’s Executive Council and is an executive member of the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) where she is a Webby, Lovie, and Anthem Awards judge.
Partner and Co-Founder
Karen believes in the power of compelling narratives to motivate people to act. Prior to co-founding Newton Street, she founded and ran The Clementine Group, a strategic communications consultancy specializing in thought leadership programs for mission-driven people and organizations.
At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Karen served as the director of global health communications and a member of the foundation leadership team. Over the course of a decade, she advanced multiple global advocacy goals, most notably running a multi-year communications campaign promoting the value of reaching all children with vaccines. She also created and led the first CEO voice strategy and managed a grant portfolio to increase the visibility of global health.
Karen began her career as an award-winning journalist based in Asia and Europe for BusinessWeek and as bureau chief and European economics editor for Newsweek. She holds postgraduate degrees in international affairs and journalism from Columbia University in New York.
Team
Chief of Staff
Alison believes that through collaboration, creativity, and access to resources, communities and leaders can improve the quality and condition of life on our planet. Prior to joining Newton Street, Alison served as a national and international leader within the hospice field. In her decade of service, she directed staff and volunteers in patient care, community outreach, and administrative activities. Her career as a leader in the nonprofit sector has spanned many causes, including the arts, education, and healthcare.
In her work as a volunteer, Alison serves her local community, is a board member with Atlas of Care, and is an American Express Leadership Academy member. In 2023, she was honored as the American Express Leadership Academy Alumni award winner, contributing a $25,000 gift to Hospice of Michigan.
Alison is a National Anthem singer and holds bachelor’s degrees in business and music performance from Michigan State University and a graduate degree in performing arts administration from New York University.
Senior Account Manager
Through the power of storytelling and community engagement, Kisa believes that impact-driven communications are pivotal for innovators and activists solving the most complex problems facing our world today. Specializing in media relations and executive visibility, Kisa excels in crafting and implementing communication programs that help advance issues spanning public health, environmental justice, gender equality, financial inclusion, and workplace equity.
Before joining Newton Street, Kisa was a senior manager at Weber Shandwick’s Social Impact & Sustainability division, where she spearheaded integrated advocacy campaigns and fostered community engagement for global development NGOs, nonprofits, foundations, and CSR initiatives. There, she managed agency teams, drove top-tier media placements, and oversaw stakeholder relationships for clients such as Amazon, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Calm, USAID, and Trust for Public Land.
Previously, Kisa supported various community engagement programs across Seattle’s nonprofit community, including the World Affairs Council and Cascade Public Media. Kisa received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington State University.
Senior Account Executive
Nayab is a communications strategist passionate about using storytelling to create social change. She has experience working with a variety of mission-driven clients, from foundations and philanthropists to government agencies, to obtain media placements, develop thought leadership, and formulate strategy and communications plans.
Prior to joining Newton Street, Nayab worked at an advocacy communications firm, where she played a critical role developing awareness campaigns on a range of issues, from reimagining child welfare systems to advocating for sustainable agriculture in Africa. Casey Family Programs, the 11th Hour Project, United Way of California, and The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) are among the notable clients she has served.
Nayab began her career working as a program assistant with a nonprofit focused on bipartisan political convenings in Santa Barbara, CA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Senior Account Executive
Jeffrey brings his skills, passion, and strategic insight to organizations addressing environmental challenges. Prior to joining Newton Street, he served as external communications manager at clean energy company First Mode, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's external messaging and supporting public policy priorities as it works to decarbonize heavy industry.
Jeffrey’s organizational and project management expertise made a significant impact during his tenure at the U.S. Senate, where he supported the Office of the President Pro Tempore for U.S. Senator Leahy. With public policy experience at the World Wildlife Fund and Exelon, he navigates the intersection of climate advocacy and policy communications.
Jeffrey earned a Master of Science in Public Policy and Administration from The London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Communication from George Washington University.
