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
Senior Director Media Engagement
Bethany brings more than 20 years of experience leading strategic communications, media relations, brand strategy, and advocacy campaigns for mission-driven organizations focused on public health, women’s health, civic engagement, and social impact.
Most recently, Bethany served as Senior Communications Officer for the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality portfolio, where she led communications strategy and executive visibility efforts around women’s health and economic empowerment initiatives. Across her career, she has advised foundations, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and advocacy campaigns on integrated communications, earned media, issues management, stakeholder engagement, and movement-building.
Bethany also brings deep experience in grassroots mobilization, earned media strategy, and executive communications along with a collaborative leadership style and passion for helping organizations create meaningful impact.
Earlier in her career, Bethany worked in political communications, including roles with the Gore/Lieberman presidential campaign and Congressman Martin Sabo.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Women’s Studies from Wittenberg University.
Senior Director Campaigns and Content
Anu is a creative director and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience shaping high-impact campaigns and narrative strategies across global health, philanthropy, and social impact. She brings a rare combination of strategic thinking and creative execution, with deep expertise in content strategy, editorial systems, and visual storytelling. Anu has led large-scale, integrated campaigns that translate complex issues into compelling narratives, engaging global audiences and influencing both public perception and philanthropic action.
Most recently, Anu led Amelina Productions, advising organizations on content strategy, brand storytelling, and creative direction. Prior to that, she spent a decade at Gates Ventures, where she served as a creative director, helping build and scale one of the most influential owned media platforms in the world. Her work spanned digital, editorial, and visual storytelling, contributing to the growth of audiences reaching hundreds of millions globally.
Earlier in her career, Anu held senior roles at leading agencies, managing integrated campaigns for global brands and developing a strong foundation in client service, production, and cross-functional leadership. She holds a master’s degree in fashion, strategy & design from the Arnhem Institute for the Arts in the Netherlands, and a BBA in International Business.
Senior Account Executive
Kaitlyn believes in the power of clear, intentional storytelling to connect people, ideas, and data in ways that drive meaningful change. She brings experience supporting mission-driven organizations working at the intersection of public health, international development, and social impact.
Before joining Newton Street, Kaitlyn developed digital content and managed client communications for a family foundation focused on learning and leadership. She previously led communications for USAID-funded global health programs, crafting narratives that highlighted efforts to improve access to quality medicines and essential health commodities worldwide. Her work has spanned social media strategy, impact storytelling, and corporate communications that align technical programmatic work with broader organizational goals. Earlier in her career, she contributed to program management and evaluation efforts across government and nonprofit sectors, strengthening her ability to translate complex health systems work into accessible, compelling content.
Kaitlyn holds a Master of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Colorado. Fluent in German and Spanish, she brings a collaborative, cross-cultural perspective to her work.
Account Manager
Sarah helps mission-driven organizations turn complex issues into clear, compelling communications that build trust and inspire action. She brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning strategic communications, journalism, government, public policy, and philanthropy, with expertise in messaging, media relations, executive communications, and rapid response.
Before joining Newton Street, Sarah founded Muench Strategic Communications, advising organizations focused on policy, equity, education, democracy, public health, and community impact. Her clients and partners included StoryCorps, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the Arizona Center for Economic Progress. She also supported philanthropic communications for leading health, climate, education, and arts organizations through Marts&Lundy.
Sarah previously held communications roles in the Phoenix mayoral office, the Arizona Legislature, and an Arizona gubernatorial campaign. She began her career as an award-winning journalist with The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network and later earned an Emmy Award for production. She holds a master’s degree in global technology and development and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University.
Strategic Initiatives and Research Manager
Blair believes that intentional planning, when combined with compassion, storytelling, and a sense of connectedness, is a powerful catalyst for lasting impact.
With nearly two decades of experience in the philanthropy, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors, Blair is a strategic leader who advances mission-driven initiatives through expert program and project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational planning. She has worked with global institutions and community-based organizations alike, including the Gates Foundation, Nemours Children’s Health, and a range of social impact organizations.
Blair’s work centers on aligning teams, strengthening delivery systems, and building the infrastructure to scale programs and partnerships. She is driven by a commitment to equity, collaboration, and sustainable change, and seeks out work that bridges big-picture vision with meaningful action. She brings plans to life by staying grounded in connection, building trust, and working alongside those closest to the mission.
She holds a degree in anthropology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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.
Account Manager
Meaghan specializes in translating complex ideas into clear, compelling messaging, content, and design that resonate with diverse audiences. She pairs creative storytelling with a strong analytical mindset, using data to measure communications impact and refine strategy.
Prior to joining Newton Street, Meaghan managed health care policy communications at Arnold Ventures. She previously supported strategic communications at the Veterans Health Administration and VA’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative, where her contracting team won an Emmy and produced cancer screening campaigns in partnership with NASA. Earlier in her career, she led marketing and digital strategy as Senior Marketing Manager at hospitality group First Batch, building social channels from the ground up and overseeing website, email, and creative strategy. She has also managed communications and advocacy efforts at organizations including the Nuclear Threat Initiative and Taxpayers for Common Sense, and ran a successful marketing consulting business serving wine and restaurant clients across multiple states.
Meaghan is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies from Gonzaga 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.
Embracing your mission as our own
