About Us: Staff

Barbara Maynard, President

Barbara founded MCS in 1996, after serving as Director of Budget and Finance for L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina.  Often called on for her quantitative skills, knowledge of government budgets, municipal finance, and public policy, she has established herself as the “go to guru” among organized labor and affiliated political campaigns in Los Angeles. In addition, Barbara’s expertise in crisis management and media relations has been a cornerstone of her work in advising elected officials and some of the largest and most prominent progressive campaigns in California. She has a keen ability to translate complex policy jargon into easy to digest, politically persuasive - and when called for, agitational – media sound bites. Barbara understands the pressures and interests that guide people in positions of power, and uses that knowledge to create and promote winnable campaigns. Barbara is a co-founder of the LA-based Horizon Institute (horizon-institute.com), a new progressive economic think tank, and a Board member of the Miguel Contreras Foundation.

Dan Braun, Project Associate

Dan Braun joined MCS in 2004, after working as a community researcher. A Los Angeles transplant from the flatlands of Iowa, Dan plays versatile roles for MCS clients, including directing research and labor relations. He is also a quantitative consultant and policy analyst for the Coalition of Los Angeles City Unions, for whom he assisted in achieving its landmark contract victory for 22,000 City workers. Dan also is a communications and media outreach officer at MCS.

Erica Zeitlin, Project Associate

Erica was a correspondent based in Tel Aviv, Israel, from 1994-1999, before becoming a Staff Writer with the Los Angeles Times, covering community news. Trading her journalist’s hat for that of an impassioned advocate for economic justice, Erica directed Tom Hayden’s anti-sweatshop campaign, in which she was instrumental in the passage of several State and City “sweat-free” procurement laws in California. At MCS, Erica writes and edits strategic content, oversees the creation of collateral materials, assists in media outreach, and coordinates diverse projects as needed.

Elaine Medway, Accountant, Office Manager

Elaine is responsible for the management of all finances at MCS, and works closely with MCS vendors to coordinate invoicing, and payments. She also serves as a bookkeeper for a number of clients with which MCS is affiliated. Elaine also ensures that MCS operates smoothly and helps to coordinate office staffing. Elaine is a proud member of OPEIU Local 537.

Nate Cowen, Graphic Designer

Nate is a freelancer who designs a wide variety of reports, newsletters, flyers, pamphlets, and brochures for MCS clients. He also serves as MCS’ webmaster. Nate brings with him seven years of marketing and design experience working for large academic institutions, including the University of Michigan, UC San Diego, and Notre Dame.

 

Marc Grossman, Writer

Marc is a veteran of social justice, labor, and farm workers’ campaigns, who served as Cesar Chavez’s personal aide and press secretary. He was a also a speechwriter for the late Miguel Contreras, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the LA County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and continues to write for Contreras’ widow and successor, Maria Elena Durazo. He creates strategic communications and marketing content for MCS clients on a freelance basis.

 

Ade Adeniji, Policy Coordinator

Ade is a recent graduate of Pomona College with a B.A. in history. He applies his interests in research and writing to support policy analyses and draft strategic communications for MCS clients. In addition, Ade assists in media outreach and performs a variety of administrative functions to support overall MCS operations.

Emma Pettit, Policy Coordinator

Emma, a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, earned a self-designed Bachelor of Arts degree in Racial Injustice in Societies and Schools.  She is delighted to be able to apply her social justice education and advocacy interests at MCS, where she assists in policy research and provides overall staff support. In addition, Emma assists in media outreach and public relations on behalf of client campaigns.

David Beard, Event Coordinator

David is a recent addition to the MCS team, bringing with him a strong background in executive management including logistics, production, coordination and business development.  David works on a freelance basis at MCS, playing an important role in organizing high-profile events and fundraisers. He has a keen eye for aesthetic detail, overseeing everything from the creation of table centerpieces to venue logistics.

New Media Team

MCS works closely with a number of experts in new social media to produce tailor-made videos, viral marketing, and web-based advocacy campaigns for clients.