WELCOME TO BETTY&SMITH
We’re a boutique communications firm of senior strategists with two decades of experience defining, shaping and elevating some of the most complicated and divisive issues of our day. We specialize in building unaffected communications strategies, rooted in research, offering fresh creative thinking and innovative media tactics.
We believe the best solutions come from a combination of imagination and know-how. We are a team of seasoned strategists who have “been there.” We do the work ourselves. Along with a deep, diverse team of creatives, producers, and designers, we give our clients the benefit of our collective talent and experience on every project, every day.
We partner with foundations, trade associations, and advocacy groups to bring their stories to life in a most relatable, compelling way. And we have created and directed award-winning advertising campaigns for major brands and national organizations as well as Democratic candidates at the federal and state levels.
We shoot straight. We collaborate. And our passion is to make people’s lives better, healthier, and happier.
WHO WE ARE
Alison Betty
Partner
Alison is the co-founder of Betty&Smith. For the past decade, Alison has been one of the nation’s leading communications experts on health and health care policy. She concentrates on consumer-oriented and values-based health care communications, working on complex health issues — most notably, implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She has defended Medicaid, protected Medicare and Social Security, combatted the childhood obesity epidemic, and fought for policies to improve early childhood development.
Alison was a Partner at GMMB, a strategic communications firm, where she managed the U.S. Health Care Practice and directed multiple award-winning health care communications and advertising campaigns. Prior to that, she worked in fundraising and sponsorship for Share Our Strength, an anti-hunger organization, and the National Campaign to Protect Youth Violence. She began her career on Capitol Hill with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3). Alison holds a BA in Political Science from Indiana University, Bloomington.
David Smith
Partner
David is the co-founder of Betty&Smith. He has been at the center of some of the nation’s most consequential political and policy battles. His award-winning advertising has helped elect Democrats in the toughest states in the country. He works with major foundations, trade associations, advocacy groups and government agencies to craft communications strategies on a range of complex issues, including health care reform, tobacco control, early childhood development as well as protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Before creating Betty&Smith, David was a Partner at GMMB where he helped lead the domestic health care and political work. A campaign manager and organizer, he also worked at Greenberg Research, serving as research director for the polling operation of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. David graduated from Colgate University and earned a master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Riley Greene
Senior Director
Riley Greene specializes in developing creative solutions to complex communications challenges. She brings a laser-like focus to message framing and strategy with real-world relevance. Riley spent six years at GMMB working on state-based implementation of the Affordable Care Act on behalf of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and advocating for family caregivers through advertising campaigns for AARP. Prior to that, she was at MSHC Partners helping to build direct mail campaigns on behalf of Democratic candidates. Riley earned a B.A. in Political Science from Vassar College and holds a Master’s degree in Communications, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University.
Tkeyah Lake
Director/Digital Director
Tkeyah Lake strategizes and executes digital and social media campaigns for clients. She leverages data-driven strategies and tactics to help reach and engage online communities and key audiences through targeted advertisements. Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Tkeyah spent six years at Banner Public Affairs as a Vice President of Digital Strategy supporting technology and defense clients, and issue advocacy campaigns. In addition to her role at Betty&Smith, she also serves as a Digital Communications FEMA Reservist – an emergency on-call responsibility supporting disaster relief efforts using social media channels. Tkeyah earned a B.S. in Corporate Communications from the University of Baltimore and an M.A. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Ariana Nguyen
Manager
As a Manager at Betty&Smith, Ariana supports strategy and management across multiple accounts. She is passionate about leveraging communications to impact policy and expand opportunity for individuals, families, and communities across the country. Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Ariana served as a consultant within IBM Public Sector, focused on strategic communications and governance for the Air Force Civil Engineers. Ariana graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia.
Aaron Kaspi
Senior Account Executive
As a senior account executive at Betty&Smith, Aaron Kaspi helps keep projects running smoothly managing day-to-day account logistics. He focuses on the intersection of policy and communications, identifying opportunities to create change on issues he is passionate about including access to health coverage and care. Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Aaron worked in communications for various Democratic campaigns across the state of New Mexico and for Rep. Ben Ray Luján, supporting his health care staff and helping manage constituent communications. Aaron graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Mexico.
WHAT WE DO
Issue Advocacy Campaigns
Strategic Planning
Executive Leadership Coaching
Advertising
Branding
Communications Planning
OUR CLIENTS
