Catalyst: Strategic Communications

As president of Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS), Scarlett directs strategic communication planning, government relations and advocacy efforts, and policy analysis and strategy development for ACS clients. Scarlett has more than 20 years of experience in government relations and communication. After launching ACS in 2004, she joined the administration of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007 to serve as Director of Communication & Marketing and later Chief of Staff at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, an agency with an $18-billion budget. Scarlett rejoined ACS in 2009. Previously, Scarlett held government relations and communication positions for The Cleveland Metropolitan School District, The Greater Cleveland Film Commission, Ohio Alzheimer Council, and the Ohio Democratic House caucus races, where she led strategic communication efforts for more than 20 local and statewide candidate and issue campaigns. She led communication and marketing strategy for two cabinet-level Ohio agencies that were responsible for Medicaid, workforce and child welfare programs.

As Senior Communication Manager at Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS), Jennifer leads the firm’s strategic communication efforts to support clients nationwide. Jennifer is a professional writer, editor, and public relations professional who has spent her career advocating for her clients across a broad range of industries. She believes that to be an effective communicator, you must know your audience and meet them where, when, and how they want to receive information for maximum influence and change. In her previous roles, Jennifer was instrumental in creating and delivering information that drives progress. Through leading multiple political campaigns, strategic marketing and public relations, and relationship building with key community leaders, Jennifer has successfully led the passing of tax levies that allow vital local boards to continue serving vulnerable populations and community colleges to realize the need for affordable and attainable education. She has also been a leader in developing and executing strategic initiatives, company-wide training programs, and equity-based opportunities for internal and external constituents for Lorain County Community College and the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and companies such as Applied Industrial Technologies, ProEd Communications, and Williams-Labadie.

Matt Kelley founded One Lucky Guitar, Inc., a boutique creative agency, in downtown Fort Wayne, IN in 2000. The 12-person firm’s motto is: We communicate brand soul. For more than two decades, the firm has specialized in serving the nonprofit and philanthropic sector—with a well-earned understanding of the marketing opportunities of both grantees and grantors. OLG’s enduring commitment to its clients is that “your mission is our purpose.” The firm’s clients include the Community Foundations of Greater Fort Wayne, Steuben County, Wabash County and Van Wert County (Ohio), Foellinger Foundation (a private foundation), and numerous nonprofit organizations. Matt has three children: Henry, Ruby and Charley. He earned his CFRM in 2022.