Make Waves That Matter

Shelley Caplan has over 30 years of experience as a strategic communications expert specializing in national health campaigns and initiatives. She has developed and led award-winning integrated awareness, education, and behavior change campaigns on various public health topics for NIH institutes, the CDC, and other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Earlier in her career, she drove the entertainment education initiative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (led at the time by social impact marketing pioneer Bill Novelli) during its formative public-affairs campaigns, including nationally recognized work advancing youth tobacco prevention. 

Shelley most recently led an initiative to identify foods integral to 20+ cultural cuisines for inclusion in the Recipes section of MyPlate.gov, the USDA’s digital resources based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

What's the problem you're trying to solve? Bryan Daniels has been posing those provocative questions to major brands for thirty years. The results? He's well-versed at rethinking an organization's offerings through brand strategy to ensure resilience and endurance in the marketplace.

Adept at understanding the Why behind adopting technologies and trends, he recently helped the National institutes of Health package and disseminate their NIH Strategic Plan for Data Science (2025 – 2030). Likewise, he oversaw the design and release of an award-winning digital report for the Veterans Administration's National Artificial Intelligence Institute.

Abigail is an award-winning communications and marketing strategist with 20 years of experience helping startups, federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and mission-driven organizations uncover their story, reach the right audiences, and drive measurable impact. Her work spans health care, consumer, and government sectors, with deep expertise in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, digital health, and public health campaigns. She has partnered with CMS, FDA, and CDC, led national initiatives such as Million Hearts®, and supported advocacy that helped secure a $300M Congressional renewal for the Special Diabetes Program. Abigail has also shaped campaigns for brands including Starbucks and the U.S. Navy SEALs, with work recognized by a Manny Award for Best Corporate Branding. Data-driven and AI-informed, Abigail specializes in turning complex issues into clear, compelling narratives across digital, social, media, and stakeholder channels. She chairs the Marketing and Communications Committee for the Board of Trustees of the Northeast College of Health Sciences and is a founding board member of the Social Marketing Association of North America.

Patty Housman is a seasoned communications strategist, writer, and editor with more than 20 years of experience leading high-impact storytelling, marketing, and engagement efforts for mission-driven organizations. She brings deep expertise in strategic communications, digital content, fundraising writing, and audience engagement across the education, nonprofit, government, and cultural sectors.
As Assistant Director of Communications at American University’s College of Arts and Sciences, Patty shapes narratives that inspire action—whether it’s making a gift, attending an event, or connecting with a cause. She leads communications strategy and content development across platforms, supports major campaigns like AU’s $500 million “Change Can’t Wait” initiative, and works closely with senior leadership, advancement officers, and faculty across departments and centers. Her efforts have significantly increased audience engagement, including a 131% boost in social performance in 2024 alone.

Valerie LoCascio is a strategic communications and marketing executive, specializing in AI, technology, and healthcare. She has a strong track record of developing and executing communications strategies that elevate brand visibility and deliver impactful messaging across events, media, and digital platforms.

Her extensive experience spans working with C-suite executives, venture capital firms, and major media companies, including Northpond Ventures, B2B leader LivePerson, and the U.S. State Department. She has also led partnerships with top academic and corporate institutions such as MIT, Harvard, SiriusXM, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Valerie is also an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker. She was nominated for The Weight of Gold with Michael Phelps and produced National Geographic’s The Dalai Lama: Peace and Prosperity with Richard Gere, which was selected for the Tribeca Film Festival.