We are a diverse team of inspired and committed strategists, campaigners and creatives who champion the power of dynamic and disruptive approaches to manifest a sustainable future for all. Driven by impact, fueled by a fierce commitment to justice and grounded in an unshakable belief that the power of everyday people can transform the world around us, we’re up for the journey it takes to make BIG things happen.
Jessy Tolkan
Founder & CEO
Prior to founding Drive Agency, Jessy served as Partner at Purpose and Co-Founder of Purpose Labs, a ground-breaking approach to campaigning and collaborating with philanthropy to drive change. Throughout her career, Jessy has built and led a series of powerful progressive institutions, where, under her leadership, she has developed impact driven campaigning models. Jessy has consulted with leading social change organizations in the US and globally across issue sectors in pursuit of building the necessary power to win.
Katie Esteves
Chief of Staff
Katie has spent the last decade in the social impact space, focusing on making systems accessible and streamlining efficiency. Her background in the education sector jump-started her passion for working in the social justice realm and trained her to put people at the forefront of her work. In each role Katie has organized mechanisms and led project teams to more inclusively meet rigorous targets.
Maddie Walsh
Director of Strategy
Maddie brings a passion for community, collaboration, and storytelling to her work. She uses her organizational superpowers and expertise in people to partner with individuals and organizations to find the motivation, shared understanding, and strategies for effective and lasting change. As Drive’s Director of Strategy, she works across issue areas and alongside partners to uncover insights and craft strategies and stories that help unlock the conditions for effective and lasting social change.
Kristi Lowe
Partner
Kristi is a political and communications strategist with a background in leading research-driven campaigns for elected office, government policy, advocacy, reputation management, and more. Prior to joining Drive Agency, Kristi was Partner and Chief Operating Officer at a Democratic media company, and Partner at a Democratic polling firm where she advised heads of state, government officials, national election campaigns, and progressive political parties around the world. Kristi brings a passion for people having shaped organizations, built teams, and nurtured talent in ways that create a rewarding place to work.
Kelsey Suter
Director of the Center of Digital Influence
Kelsey leads the Drive Agency’s work around digital engagement and social listening and she has a special focus on countering online propaganda and disinformation. Since 2020, she has helped lead a first-of-its-kind effort advising the progressive space to detect and counter political disinformation ahead of the presidential and midterm elections. Kelsey previously worked at GQR Research and at APCO Worldwide. In her past work, Kelsey has spent time embedded with political campaigns around the world, managed large-dollar digital ad campaigns, and secured top-tier media coverage for clients. She is also a trained focus group moderator and has conducted hundreds of focus groups worldwide. She has an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science and English from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota.
Zhilin Xiao
Strategy Manager
A global citizen, strategist, and impact-focused changemaker. Zhilin’s passion for making a difference has led her to work with some of the world’s most respected international organisations, including the UNEP and the ICRC, in Geneva, New York and Northern Nigeria. She has led humanitarian protection teams and rolled out global initiatives that have made a meaningful impact in the communities she has served. She was the founder of Change-Makers-Network back in 2013, where she led awareness-raising and social innovation experiments on various social and environmental issues. In her free time, she also advises senior corporate leadership on sustainability related issues. Zhilin holds a BBA in Business and Global Studies from the University of Hong Kong and an MBA from the University of Oxford, where she specialized in impact strategy.
Jake Engle
Director of Digital Research & Campaign Services
Jake directs social listening and communications work with Democratic campaigns and committees for Drive, and he works closely with a range of other progressive allies. He is a proven strategic partner who helps clients keep communications strategies rooted in data and geared toward outcomes.
Jake has an innate understanding of the intersection of social media, public opinion, and strategy—a defining challenge for modern communications. He has years of experience in traditional opinion research, crisis communications, and strategic storytelling, while specializing in synthesizing research about online propaganda and mis/disinformation into actionable insights.
Since 2018, Jake has worked with political, nonprofit, and corporate clients around the world and in the US—including in key battleground states like WI, PA, GA, FL, and AZ. His clients have included Democratic party committees, Governors JB Pritzker (IL) and Josh Shapiro (PA), and he has advised over 300 progressive groups.
A Vermont native, he graduated with a dual degree in Public Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University before moving to Washington, DC. He previously worked at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR).
George Duarte
Campaign Strategist
George is a Campaign Strategist based in Washington, D.C., with a Master’s degree in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics. With a background in social listening, data analysis, and strategic recommendations, George brings valuable expertise to his role. He has successfully supported progressive organizations in assessing and responding to online mis/disinformation and harmful content. Additionally, George’s experience as a Research Assistant at the International Institute for Strategic Studies involved conducting extensive research on conflict analysis in the Northern Triangle Countries. With a strong academic foundation and a commitment to driving positive change, George is equipped to assist organizations in navigating the complexities of the digital landscape.