Experience

Grounded Solutions Network

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

• Director of Communications

  • Apr 2023 - Present

  Leading a dynamic communications department focused on lifting up Grounded Solutions Network's mission and vision of affordable housing solutions across the United States. Leading a dynamic communications department focused on lifting up Grounded Solutions Network's mission and vision of affordable housing solutions across the United States.



Self-employed

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Independent Strategic Communications Consultant

  • Dec 2022 - Apr 2023

  Providing strategic communications guidance to assist those looking to enhance their messaging in an increasingly noisy world. Assisting organizations like Jobs With Justice with digital and communications strategies, website maintenance, online fundraising, graphic design and more. Providing strategic communications guidance to assist those looking to enhance their messaging in an increasingly noisy world. Assisting organizations like Jobs With Justice with digital and communications strategies, website maintenance, online fundraising, graphic design and more.



Jobs With Justice

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

• Communications Director

  • Sep 2021 - Dec 2022

  Leads on the development and execution of internal and external communications strategies, campaigns, and tactics. Leads a dynamic team of professional communicators, utilizing new and emerging technologies to achieve campaign goals. Monitors the news and editorial coverage of key issues, campaigns, and emerging topics and shares with staff, stakeholders, and leaders. Drafts a daily news roundup, featuring the top stories and commentary related to key issues to keep stakeholders informed. Draft content for campaigns, research publications, and other projects. Works across teams to help the organization meet its online fundraising goals. Partners with likeminded organizations for digital actions and events. Responsible for producing large virtual and in-person event (including scripting, A/V for virtual events, and more). Show less

• Interim Communications Director

  • Mar 2021 - Sep 2021

  Leads on the development and execution of internal and external communications strategies, campaigns, and tactics. Leads a dynamic team of professional communicators, utilizing new and emerging technologies to achieve campaign goals. Monitors the news and editorial coverage of key issues, campaigns, and emerging topics and shares with staff, stakeholders, and leaders. Drafts a daily news roundup, featuring the top stories and commentary related to key issues to keep stakeholders informed. Draft content for campaigns, research publications, and other projects. Works across teams to help the organization meet its online fundraising goals. Partners with likeminded organizations for digital actions and events. Handles A/V for virtual events on platforms like YouTube Live and Zoom. Show less

• Senior Communications Strategist

  • Nov 2016 - Sep 2021

  Leads on the development and execution of communications strategies, campaigns, and tactics. Monitors the news and editorial coverage of key issues, campaigns, and emerging topics and shares with staff, stakeholders, and leaders. Drafts a daily news roundup, featuring the top stories and commentary related to key issues to keep stakeholders informed. Draft content for campaigns, research publications, and other projects. Works across teams to help the organization meet its online fundraising goals. Partners with likeminded organizations for digital actions and events. Handles A/V for virtual events on platforms like YouTube Live and Zoom.Joined Jobs With Justice as a Communications Strategist in November 2016 and started serving as Interim Communications Director in March 2021. Show less



American Bridge

• Construction
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Associate

  • Feb 2016 - Nov 2016

  Conducted research on various topics and targets. Utilized research tools to craft memos, reports, research books, and other tasks related to the 2016 election cycle. Worked with a talented team of researchers to compile 2000-plus page research books. Conducted research on various topics and targets. Utilized research tools to craft memos, reports, research books, and other tasks related to the 2016 election cycle. Worked with a talented team of researchers to compile 2000-plus page research books.

• Independent Political Campaign Consultant

  • Jun 2008 - Feb 2016

  -Focused on providing candidates and campaigns with the complete campaign package, including management, field operations, communications, and fundraising on various campaigns in Georgia and Florida -Focused on providing candidates and campaigns with the complete campaign package, including management, field operations, communications, and fundraising on various campaigns in Georgia and Florida



The Independent Florida Alligator

• Newspaper Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Columnist

  • Aug 2013 - Apr 2015

  Authored more than 65 columns for one of the largest student-run newspapers in the United States. Weekly topics included national, state, and local policy & politics; university-related issues To read selected columns, please visit my Contently page: https://joelmendelson.contently.com Authored more than 65 columns for one of the largest student-run newspapers in the United States. Weekly topics included national, state, and local policy & politics; university-related issues To read selected columns, please visit my Contently page: https://joelmendelson.contently.com



Young Democrats of Georgia

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President of Programs

  • Apr 2013 - Apr 2015

  -Developed strategic plans for Young Democrats of Georgia focusing on: -YDG's role in electing Democrats throughout the state -Issue-based activities, including campaigns, outreach, and education -Legislative action plan to help stop legislation we feel hurts fellow Georgians and targeting legislation we believe needs a strong advocate-Strategized, developed, and launched YDG's 2014 "50k by Election Day" Program-Authored legislative updates and other e-communications-Organized lobbying efforts on behalf of the Young Democrats of Georgia, focusing on legislation targeted by Young Democrats-Developed and managed a legislative tracking tool used by YDG during sessions of the Georgia General Assembly Show less

• Political Director

  • Jan 2011 - Apr 2013

  -Authored and sent weekly legislative updates to email list of several thousand supporters -Tracked and developed strategy for legislation moving through Georgia General Assembly-Co-chaired YDG’s legislative committee-Targeted policy and legislation for action alerts and YDG platform-Crafted a state-wide voter registration plan that utilizes our existing chapters and sets ambitious, but manageable goals for each chapter



Better Georgia

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations

• Digital Organizer

  • Jan 2014 - Nov 2014

  -Created content for Better Georgia website focused on education policy issues in Georgia -Managed Better Georgia Schools social media presence -Developed and authored education-related petitions -Researched ongoing education policy issues in the Georgia General Assembly and beyond -Analyzed voter turnout data for the 2014 elections -Created content for Better Georgia website focused on education policy issues in Georgia -Managed Better Georgia Schools social media presence -Developed and authored education-related petitions -Researched ongoing education policy issues in the Georgia General Assembly and beyond -Analyzed voter turnout data for the 2014 elections



Georgia General Assembly

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legislative Aide for Representative David Wilkerson

  • Jan 2011 - Dec 2013

  -Assisted Rep. Wilkerson with day-to-day activities during the legislative session -Advised Rep. Wilkerson on legislative and non-legislative issues -Attended committee hearings, meetings and other events/functions -Organized town halls, meetings and other events for Rep. Wilkerson -Researched legislation, organizations and materials crucial to the Representative's success -Maintained calendar of Rep. Wilkerson's day-to-day activities -Contacted other elected officials and constituents on the Representative's behalf Show less

• Better Georgia Schools Coordinator

  • Sep 2012 - Nov 2012

  -Authored insightful articles related to charter schools and state constitutional amendment related to charter schools. -Crafted social media posts to engage voters and activists on the charter schools amendment issue. -Authored insightful articles related to charter schools and state constitutional amendment related to charter schools. -Crafted social media posts to engage voters and activists on the charter schools amendment issue.



Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

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

• Campaign Coordinator-Take Back Cobb EMC campaign

  • Feb 2010 - Aug 2012

  -Organized campaign messaging, outreach, and overall coordination that contributed to the election of new board of directors -Constructed list of over 16,000 core constituents (EMC customers) -Coordinated and facilitated volunteer efforts including community meetings, house parties, petition drives, phone banking and other community driven events -Maintained group’s online presence through websites, blogs and social media, with an email listserv of over 1000 Take Back Cobb EMC supporters -Collaborated with like-minded groups on campaign strategies & tactics and community outreach -Produced press releases that helped increase visibility, including significant stories in local papers including the Atlanta-Journal Constitution and Marietta Daily-Journal -Handled press relations for the campaign, including interviews with major newspapers, editorial board meetings, and press conferences Show less



Patch.com

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 200 - 300 Employee

• High School Football Beat Reporter

  • Aug 2011 - Nov 2011

  Covered local high school football games for the Roswell Patch Covered local high school football games for the Roswell Patch



KSU Owl Radio

• Talk Show Host

  • Sep 2008 - May 2011

  Created and hosted the Political Prescription, a weekly talk show focusing on news, politics and cultural events. Launched a corresponding website that featured news, videos, commentary and more. Created and hosted the Political Prescription, a weekly talk show focusing on news, politics and cultural events. Launched a corresponding website that featured news, videos, commentary and more.



KSU Sentinel

• Columnist

  • Aug 2009 - May 2010

  Published weekly column focusing on local/state/national issues affecting KSU students. Published weekly column focusing on local/state/national issues affecting KSU students.

• Issues Chair

  • Jul 2009 - May 2010

  Authored action alerts for Young Democrats of Georgia hoping to bring to light the issues that affect the youth of Georgia and the United States and what we can do about it. Authored action alerts for Young Democrats of Georgia hoping to bring to light the issues that affect the youth of Georgia and the United States and what we can do about it.



Safe America Foundation

• United States

• Social Media Manager/Intern

  • May 2009 - Oct 2009

  Developed and launched a social networking campaign for the Safe America Foundation in helping build a grassroots effort for various programs. Developed and launched a social networking campaign for the Safe America Foundation in helping build a grassroots effort for various programs.



Etz Chaim Religious School

• Teacher

  • Aug 2006 - May 2009

  7th grade Judaic studies teacher. Helping bring about understanding to adolescents and early teens about the world around them and what it means to be being a young Jewish person in the 21st century. 7th grade Judaic studies teacher. Helping bring about understanding to adolescents and early teens about the world around them and what it means to be being a young Jewish person in the 21st century.



Students for Barack Obama

• Chapter Coordinator

  • Aug 2008 - Nov 2008

  Chapter coordinator for the Obama campaign at Kennesaw State University. Built a strong base of support on campus to help get out the youth vote. Chapter coordinator for the Obama campaign at Kennesaw State University. Built a strong base of support on campus to help get out the youth vote.



Jason Adams for State Representative District 35

• Campaign Staff Assistant

  • Jun 2008 - Nov 2008

  Campaigned and assisted Jason Adams in his bid to win the State Representative seat for District 35. Campaigned and assisted Jason Adams in his bid to win the State Representative seat for District 35.



Obama Organizing Fellows

• Organizing Fellow

  • Jun 2008 - Aug 2008

  Volunteer organizer for the Barack Obama campaign in metro Atlanta. Helped mobilize volunteers and organize events to help build a strong base of support in the area. Volunteer organizer for the Barack Obama campaign in metro Atlanta. Helped mobilize volunteers and organize events to help build a strong base of support in the area.