About Us

President, Creative Director

Matt Afflixio

Matthew Afflixio, better known as Matt, has been President of Access Brand Communications, a subsidiary of Ketchum, Inc. since August 2014 and its Partner since April 2015. During his 25-year Public Relations career at Access, he has specialized in strategic planning, corporate branding, executive visibility, special events and crisis communications for clients across the consumer, consumer technology, fashion and small business industries. In his current role, Matt assumes the day-to-day responsibilities of leading and evolving the business, and builds on existing collaborations with Ketchum to further strengthen and expand its combined technology and consumer offerings.

He is known to many as “the hardest working man in the PR business” by both his Access team members and his long-lasting client partnerships, and lives by the mantra ‘Be Present. Be Productive. Be Proud.’ in all he does for the agency and clients.

Email: [email protected]

EVP, Group Director, Corporate & Technology

Lindsay Scalisi

Lindsay’s passion is telling the larger story that helps audiences connect more intimately to a brand, product or service. From conducting large scale events to architecting executive thought leadership narratives, Lindsay builds connected programs that drive business impact. Never losing sight of the objective, Lindsay believes in smart hustle and a “get it done” attitude.

She is an accomplished agency leader with expertise in strategic planning and brand building for B2C and B2B companies. Current and former clients include: EMC, Instagram, Bank of America Merchant Services, Capital One, Blackberry, Safeway, PayPal and AppDirect.

Email: [email protected]

SVP, Group Director, Consumer & Lifestyle

Anna Boisvert

As the head of Access’ Consumer Practice, Anna is focused on insights-based creative strategy as a critical PR foundation, on being bold and flexible in a fast-changing industry and on instilling strong team camaraderie that ultimately benefits the client. From high-impact content development and earned media strategy, to expert partnerships, to large-to-small scale events, and more, Anna works to create customized programs for clients that deliver tangible results. She also firmly believes in the importance of innovating and elevating PR program measurement to meet business objectives.

Anna’s areas of expertise include personal care, health and beauty, consumer tech, and food and beverage. Current and former clients include Philips, Reckitt, Blue Diamond, Beiersdorf, 2K, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Embassy Suites Hotels and more.

Email: [email protected]

Senior Vice President

Jodi Maroney

Jodi’s expertise lies in tech – an industry in which she has driven impactful campaigns for companies of all sizes and stages. She has a passion for storytelling and helping companies build narratives which can be brought to life through a mix of channels – media relations, speaking and thought leadership. To do this well, Jodi believes in going deep into an organization to understand a company at its core and to uncover the behind-the-scenes examples and anecdotes that can truly bring a story to life. In one of her proudest moments, Jodi landed a deep and positive feature story in Fortune for Intuit that was two years in the making, showcasing her diligence in pursuing coverage that matters to her clients.

Jodi has deep experience in executive communications and customizing approaches for different types of leaders. She also understands how companies work, with experience in key functions from funding and IPOs to earnings and M&A.

Current and former clients include: Visa, Facebook, TripActions, Anaplan, DocuSign, Polycom, Hootsuite, Rakuten Ready.

Email: [email protected]

Senior Vice President

Jen Garcia

Jen Garcia is a senior vice president at Access with 14 years of experience supporting top technology and corporate brands shape stories and perceptions through owned, earned, social and paid platforms. Since joining Access, she has helped lead high impact integrated public relations campaigns for a variety of clients including Intuit, Capital One, T-Mobile, BlackBerry, EMC and Ericsson. Jen’s strengths include strategic media relations, corporate reputation programming, executive thought leadership, messaging and content development, social media, experiential events/marketing and executive communications. Her work on Intuit’s Innovation Gallery Walk campaign was recognized as the top Technology Campaign of the Year by the Holmes Report’s Sabre Awards.

Prior to joining Access, Jen worked at global public relations firm Porter Novelli, where she served as an account lead for industry leading accounts like Qualcomm and HP. She managed Qualcomm’s annual technology and developer conference, which attracted thousands of attendees from around the globe and was a key coverage and reputation driver for the company.

Email: [email protected]

SVP, Research & Analytics

Katherine Gotts

Katherine has over 15 years of experience providing information services for organizations in a variety of industries spanning consumer products, enterprise technology, nonprofit, government and B2B services. Katherine manages research and analytics services for the agency and oversees logistics, quality control and program design, with a specialization in measurement and qualitative analysis. A strong analytical thinker, Katherine is adept at arming businesses and stakeholders with the information they need to set goals, make astute strategic decisions and showcase the value of communication efforts.

Katherine has been at Access for ten years and previously provided information services in roles at the American Cancer Society, the State of Texas and the US Department of the Treasury. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin.

Email: [email protected]

VP, People Lead

Christine Godbey

Christine Godbey is VP, People Lead at Access. Christine started her career in executive recruiting and shifting into an HR generalist role within the Ketchum Inc. network, in which she grew to lead Talent role at Access Brand Communications. With majority of her career spent within various PR and Marketing agencies, she has a knack for billable operations and consistency, maximizing resourcing and budgets, talent development and coaching, ultimately fostering the full employee experience. During her year at Uber, Christine honed her expertise in employee relations, organizational restructuring, mentorship programs, and diversity & inclusion in a tech environment. 

Email: [email protected]

Editor in Chief

Nancy Blair

Long-time former journalist Nancy Blair heads the Access Content Team. She joined Access in 2015 after 20+ years at Gannett/USA TODAY where she held positions as Regional, Personal Finance and Technology Editor. Her newsroom experience crossed a wide range of subjects including consumer and enterprise tech, personal finance and Capitol Hill. The insights, writing and editing skills gained during her journalism career now inform her content development work for brands such as Visa, Intuit, Facebook, Capital One, Philips and Pure Storage.

At Access, Nancy’s team works on content strategy and development of original content to help brands sharpen their own narratives to reach audiences in meaningful and creative ways. Additionally, Nancy works across client accounts as a counselor on media strategy, corporate messaging and more.

Email: [email protected]

VP, Media

Conor Febos

With more than 10 years of experience managing international consumer, technology and lifestyle PR programs, Conor has helped redefine the perception for some of the globe’s most well-known brands. He is a dynamic PR professional, specializing in media relations, creative storytelling and developing impactful partnerships with various brands spanning the entertainment, B2C technology, and consumer lifestyle industries.  

Additionally, in his time at both in-house and agency roles, he has managed international accounts in the consumer electronics, B2B, finance and multimedia space. Prior to starting his career in public relations, he worked as a reporter for various local New York outlets.

Email: [email protected]

VP, Group Manager

Ashley Barrett

Ashley Barrett has been with the agency for 11 years – starting as an intern in the SF office. She has worked on both coasts on a range of lifestyle, food, spirits and consumer tech brands including Jameson Irish Whiskey, Beefeater Gin, Blue Diamond Almonds, LUNA Bar, Google, Instagram, and Toshiba. She has a knack for finding story opportunities for her clients leveraging pop culture, lifestyle trends and experiential events.

Ashley’s consumer and event expertise helps her forge meaningful relationships with media, influencers, and other key stakeholders in the media landscape. She is constantly looking at what’s new and trending and how to apply those trends to brands she works on to gain share of voice in an organic and meaningful way. She has secured coverage in outlets such as US Weekly, Teen Vogue, People Magazine, Eat This – Not That!, Self and Marie Claire and has also secured clients on programs including Ellen, The View, The Today Show, and The Rachael Ray Show.

Email: [email protected]

VP, Group Manager

Naomi Hurley

A skilled communicator, Naomi has 14 years of experience on a range of corporate and tech brands driving corporate brand and reputation management, financial communications, crisis management and more. With a skillset in corporate thought leadership, Naomi works with her clients’ C-level executives on traditional media and thought leadership storytelling where she has landed top-tier print and broadcast coverage in MSNBC, CNN, Inc, CNBC, Cheddar, Forbes and more. A passionate client counselor and team lead, Naomi is a key driver across her teams working on strategy, messaging, partner programs, media relations, planning and more. She is passionate about programs that support women small businesses and enjoys working alongside clients and external partners to help strengthen and highlight the work her clients are doing to shine a light on women entrepreneurs.

Over her 11 years at Access, Naomi has worked on brands including Visa, Rodan + Fields, Intuit, Trip Actions, AppDirect, Siegel+Gale, Hootsuite and others.

Email: [email protected]

Vice President

Christine Ropke

Christine Ropke has 10 years’ experience working as an agency PR professional across a variety of industries and sectors— including consumer packaged goods, consumer and B2B technology and corporate communications. She partners with her clients to craft compelling storylines and approaches that achieve meaningful results with the audiences that matter most. Christine is experienced in strategic planning, integrated campaign management, media relations, event planning and corporate speaking engagements. A skilled communicator, she brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to each initiative she manages.

Prior to joining Access, Christine worked at Aspectus PR where she focused on clients in the financial technology industry. Her past and current client roster includes Philips Corporate North America, Philips Avent, Philips Domestic Appliances, Philips Healthy Sleep Solutions (SmartSleep and DreamStation Go), Capital One, Intuit, BlackBerry, Dell EMC and others. Christine graduated with a B.S. in Marketing and Psychology from Fordham University. 

Email: [email protected]

VP, Creator Partnerships

Kayla Fortin

Creative marketing executive Kayla Fortin has gained a reputation as a prominent voice on opportunities related to brands, communities, and cultural identity. Rethinking brands from the ground up, she has led multi-channel campaigns that have catapulted teams to new heights of success. Kayla is no stranger to big-name consumer brands, having worked with influencers for eight years and in her industry for more than a decade. 

She has previously worked with Google, HBO, LG, NASA, and AT&T spearheading creative content-driven campaigns, as well as leading cross-functional teams in entertainment, technology, sports, lifestyle, and social action. Making a positive impact on the world around her is one of her core values. A self-confessed creative, Kayla believes that excellent storytelling can connect and empower society.

Email: [email protected]

Vice President

Madeline Mains

Madeline has nearly a decade of experience in agency PR, specializing in product and corporate communications across enterprise and consumer technology. With a passion for distilling technical intricacies into impactful concepts, she partners with clients to sharpen message resonance through creative, always-on proactive media relations and strategic thought leadership programming. 

Madeline’s current and past client roster includes Pure Storage, Visa, Palo Alto Networks, Intuit, AppDirect, Anaplan, Leanplum, Humley, Medallia, Greenwave Systems, Objectivity, DSP Group.

Email: [email protected]

Vice President

Clare Nordstrom

Clare Nordstrom is a Vice President at Access Brand Communications with over 5 years of experience in communications supporting B2B and B2C technology brands of all sizes. She has a track record of building successful thought leadership platforms, developing executive presentations for internal and external audiences and leading thoughtful and strategic campaigns for clients including Visa, Intuit, Capital One and Workplace by Facebook.  

Clare works with her clients to develop traditional media and thought leadership storytelling where she has landed top-tier print and broadcast coverage in CNBC, Business Insider, Forbes, USA Today, Cheddar, Yahoo Finance and more. She is a key driver across her teams, working on messaging, media relations, planning, media training and executing communications programs that position her clients as thought leaders in the space.  

Email: [email protected]

Vice President

Anna Stathopoulos

Anna Stathopoulos is a Vice President at Access with a deep passion for strategic client service. Anna is driven by the challenges of an ever-evolving industry that requires flexibility, creative thinking and a detail-oriented approach to project management. In her eight years of experience with wellness, personal care and food & beverage clients, Anna has brought to life consumer experiential events, brand partnerships, 360 talent partnerships, fine-tuned media relations and influencer programs, among other integrated activations. Current and former clients include Philips Personal Health, Amplify Snack Brands, Lavazza, Beiersdorf, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, K-Y and more. 

Email: [email protected]

VP, Design

Juan Herrera

Juan is a multimedia designer and creative technologist based on the east coast, splitting his time between New York and Miami. With over ten years of experience, he is passionate about creating work and telling stories that explore the intersection of design and technology. He works closely with clients and stakeholders to understand the objectives of a project, and provides highly engaging and customized solutions that communicate with target users clearly, beautifully and effortlessly. 

As VP, Design at Access, he and his team offer a wide range of multimedia design services, including graphic design, presentation design, data visualizations, video editing, motion graphics, web development, 3D VR/AR development, experience design (XD), user experience research (UX), and interface design (UI).  Always tuned into the ever-changing tech and design industries, he is constantly exploring emerging trends and experimenting with tools that can be leveraged to provide new, engaging experiences for clients and their audiences. 

When not photoshopping or coding, he likes to spend his time listening to house music, exploring NYC, playing soccer and/or making playlists like ‘A Fourth of July in Mexico’, ‘CANDELA’ and ‘A New York BBQ’.

Email: [email protected]