Experience

Penta Group

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Director, Strategy

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  Washington, District of Columbia, United States Cole is a director at Penta, Strategy. Our Penta team helps major corporate and nonprofit clients understand and manage today's complex stakeholder challenges. As a specialty, Cole's team provides policy communications support to leaders in Washington, using insights from Penta Policy Insiders (formerly Ballast Research), to help clients maximize their investments in communications and advocacy.



Ballast Research

• United States
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director - Communications Advisory

  • Feb 2022 - Dec 2022

  Washington, District of Columbia, United States Ballast Research officially became part of Penta Group, the world’s first comprehensive stakeholder solutions firm.



Hamilton Place Strategies

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Associate

  • Sep 2021 - Feb 2022

  Washington, District Of Columbia As a Senior Associate, I assisted corporate and non-profit clients in the fields of economic development, finance, and transportation in advancing their policy objectives through strategic, data-driven communications. ● Advised Fortune 50, corporate, trade association, and non-profit clients on how current events and the shifting federal landscape impacts their organizations, including advising on preparation and rapid response to hot-button developments. ● Regularly pitched and… Show more As a Senior Associate, I assisted corporate and non-profit clients in the fields of economic development, finance, and transportation in advancing their policy objectives through strategic, data-driven communications. ● Advised Fortune 50, corporate, trade association, and non-profit clients on how current events and the shifting federal landscape impacts their organizations, including advising on preparation and rapid response to hot-button developments. ● Regularly pitched and briefed relevant media on client developments, new research, and for speaking opportunities, ultimately, securing top-tier, Beltway, and trade media hits while keeping stakeholders up to date with key information. ● Benchmarked the ESG commitments and research conducted by major global companies and associations across their respective competitors to inform executive-level strategy formation and action. ● Researched and drafted topical white papers on the social and economic impact of the major U.S. banks, as well as the federal government’s involvement in child care, denoting where potential legislation could open new opportunities. ● Curated and maintained third-party stakeholder lists of relevant organizations, academics, congressional, and administration officials across topics including energy and sustainability, aviation, healthcare, trade, and transportation. ● Developed external-facing collateral to communicate complex client issues to key audiences nationwide, including primer decks, fact sheets, press releases, and social content. ● Launched and managed digital campaigns, in the tens of thousands of dollars, to boost awareness of client brand, bolster reputation in the Beltway and nationwide, and promote research products. ● Contributed to regular internal HPS analyses and helped lead activities to support and advance HPS’ internal culture on the recruiting team, LGBTQ+ inclusion working group, and spirit committee. Analysis examples: Jobs Report; Biden Agenda.

• Associate

  • Sep 2019 - Sep 2021



Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

• United States
• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• Enterprise Strategies and Measurement IT Intern

  • Sep 2018 - Aug 2019

  Washington D.C. Metro Area



National Small Business Association

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Government Affairs Intern

  • May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Washington D.C. Metro Area • Researched, informed, and wrote topical news articles, congressional letters of support, press releases and draft policy reports on wide-ranging small-business issues on behalf of the NSBA • Strategically balanced various scheduling constraints to coordinate over 100 simultaneous Capitol Hill meetings between congressional staff, representatives and NSBA constituents to discuss pertinent issues • Represented the organization at several DC events and Capitol hearings where salient… Show more • Researched, informed, and wrote topical news articles, congressional letters of support, press releases and draft policy reports on wide-ranging small-business issues on behalf of the NSBA • Strategically balanced various scheduling constraints to coordinate over 100 simultaneous Capitol Hill meetings between congressional staff, representatives and NSBA constituents to discuss pertinent issues • Represented the organization at several DC events and Capitol hearings where salient small-business issues were discussed, took detailed notes and reported back with written updates and important information Show less



The George Washington University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student Admissions Representative, VIP

  • Oct 2015 - May 2018

  Washington D.C. Metro Area • Interacted with a diverse group of anywhere from 50-200 prospective students and parents daily, checking them in for, and giving them campus tours, as well as providing comprehensive information on GW, sharing student experiences and creating a positive experience for families to remember during the application process. • Responsible for promptly solving the problems and providing answers, over the phone, and by email, to prospective students and parents. • Tasked with stuffing 50-60… Show more • Interacted with a diverse group of anywhere from 50-200 prospective students and parents daily, checking them in for, and giving them campus tours, as well as providing comprehensive information on GW, sharing student experiences and creating a positive experience for families to remember during the application process. • Responsible for promptly solving the problems and providing answers, over the phone, and by email, to prospective students and parents. • Tasked with stuffing 50-60 visit folders per hour along with prepping and breaking down event venues for GW information sessions, providing a presentable and positive visual of GW for students in attendance. • Recruited to stay on campus for the summer to continue full time while adding in daily prospective student campus tours. • Asked to participate in GW promotional events and promotional material photo shoots and testimonials.

• Colonial Cabinet Orientation Leader

  • Apr 2017 - Aug 2017

  Washington D.C. Metro Area • Selected from over 200 applicants to participate in a team of 26 to lead 8 distinct new student orientation sessions. • Mentored a diverse group of 125 incoming freshman and transfer students through activities, meetings, and small group discussion to facilitate their transition to college and acclimate them to GW and DC. • Maintained utmost positivity and energy while independently resolving conflicts that arose during orientation through mediation, effective multi-tasking and problem… Show more • Selected from over 200 applicants to participate in a team of 26 to lead 8 distinct new student orientation sessions. • Mentored a diverse group of 125 incoming freshman and transfer students through activities, meetings, and small group discussion to facilitate their transition to college and acclimate them to GW and DC. • Maintained utmost positivity and energy while independently resolving conflicts that arose during orientation through mediation, effective multi-tasking and problem solving. • Created and preformed programs that utilized role playing to communicate topics such as time management, study skills, personal conflict resolution, and making safe/ educated decisions.



U.S. Department of the Treasury

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Performance Budgeting Intern

  • Jan 2017 - May 2017

  Washington D.C. Metro Area Interacted with the head of Treasury's Budget Office and Budget Analysts in assisting with the daily workload in the Treasury Office of Management and Performance Budgeting. ● Entrusted with testing and comparing new computer Treasury audit programming to prior manual methods; while also helping reconcile discovered discrepancies. ● Assisted analysts and management in following up with individual bureau performance measure metrics to ensure they were being met in a timely manner to… Show more Interacted with the head of Treasury's Budget Office and Budget Analysts in assisting with the daily workload in the Treasury Office of Management and Performance Budgeting. ● Entrusted with testing and comparing new computer Treasury audit programming to prior manual methods; while also helping reconcile discovered discrepancies. ● Assisted analysts and management in following up with individual bureau performance measure metrics to ensure they were being met in a timely manner to increase bureau efficiency. ● Reviewed appropriation requests, Congressional Justifications, and Budget-in-Briefs, from Treasury's 17+ bureau's certifying accuracy. Show less



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Intern

  • Aug 2016 - Dec 2016

  Washington D.C. Metro Area Intern for Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) with a district comprising Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. Responsible for giving constituent and VIP tours of the Capitol complex as well as engaging in constituent communication. Additionally responsible for attending various briefings and taking detailed notes for the Legislative team.



Menchie's Frozen Yogurt

• United States
• Restaurants
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Team Member

  • Nov 2014 - Aug 2015

  Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area • Provided excellent customer service, informing hundreds of customers daily of various flavor options while creating lasting relationships which formed a high customer retention rate. • Maintained an elite level of cleanliness, rotating ingredients as well as cleaning floors and machines hourly, making for a comfortable and clean customer experience.



Grand Island Chamber of Commerce

• Youth Ambassador

  • May 2014 - Aug 2015

  Grand Island, New York Worked as a liaison between the youth community of Grand Island and the Chamber of Commerce. Attended monthly Board of Directors meetings, engaging with committee members on the views of the youth, and how to engage our community to attend the sponsored chamber events. Through teamwork, raised more money towards the scholarship program, than any group of predecessors before us, through many fundraising events and activities. Networked and interacted with business and town-government officials… Show more Worked as a liaison between the youth community of Grand Island and the Chamber of Commerce. Attended monthly Board of Directors meetings, engaging with committee members on the views of the youth, and how to engage our community to attend the sponsored chamber events. Through teamwork, raised more money towards the scholarship program, than any group of predecessors before us, through many fundraising events and activities. Networked and interacted with business and town-government officials at various events. Show less



Beerhats.com

• Telecommunications Assistant

  • Feb 2014 - Jun 2014

  Grand Island, NY • Made Cold Calls to 5-10 prospective distributors daily, informing customers of product availability while maintaining a fresh and concise pitch strategy. • Researched 10 possible distributors online daily from across the country as well as brainstorming possibilities for continued expansion efforts into new and different markets. • Sustained a top level of organization, while updating spreadsheets and administrative documents after each call and research period.