Brendan Sullivan

Founding Partner

Brendan Sullivan is a Founding Partner at Weymouth/Watson and has been a leader in event production and management in private business, government and campaigns for over a decade. His diverse experience is indicative of his abilities as a leader who exhibits strong communication skills, attention to detail and a trademark ability to remain calm under pressure.

He has been trusted to lead dozens of projects nationally and internationally, including management of the Democratic Primary Debates in ten cities across the United States and coordination of principal movements across rural Vietnam. He managed and produced the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago which featured President and Mrs. Obama, Prince Harry, Jose Andres and Bryan Stevenson as well as a concert featuring Chance the Rapper, The National, Gloria Estefan and Lin Manuel Miranda. With the onset of COVID-19, Brendan temporarily rebuilt the business to reflect his clients' needs for virtual programming. As a result, his prior firm was proud to have hosted over seventy-five percent of the virtual daytime programming for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Brendan draws from government experience in the White House as Senior Advance Lead for President Obama and the Pentagon as an Advance Officer for two Secretaries of Defense. In government, he led advance teams across the United States and in more than twenty countries, from allies like Canada and Germany to the conflict zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Prior to his work in the Obama administration, Brendan worked on the Obama for America campaign of 2012, in the United States Senate office of then-Senator John Kerry and as a field director on many Massachusetts based campaigns.

A native of Weymouth, MA, Brendan resides in Washington, DC with his wife Ashley and dog Rory.

Abbey Watson

Founding Partner

Abbey Watson is a Founding Partner at Weymouth/Watson and an executive producer with over a decade of experience creating high-profile events. As a project manager, she brings together large, diverse, multi-functional teams into a collaborative process marked by strong organizational structure and detailed planning . She is well-versed in every element that goes into making an event successful, from frictionless registration to fabrication and technical production.

Over the course of her career, Abbey has managed and produced events for some of our nation’s highest-profile principals, organizations and coalitions. Whether developing the agenda for a five-day Congressional delegation to Central America, producing a ten-hour live broadcast from Times Square, or leading a 100 day nationwide campaign of coordinated advocacy events, she specializes in turning big ideas into reality. Favorite projects include RightsCon, the largest human rights conference in the Middle East/North Africa region, two separate cross-country tours of the Save My Care advocacy bus encapsulating dozens of unique events in more than 20 states; the White House Frontiers Conference, a landmark collaboration between Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and the Obama Administration’s Office of Science and Technology Policy to celebrate breakthrough technological achievements; and on a pro bono basis, the March for Our Lives rally, the largest single-day protest in the history of our nation’s capital.

Abbey spent seven years traveling around the world on behalf of the Obama White House as an Advance Lead. Prior to starting her own business, Abbey served as the scheduler and personal assistant for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Most recently she served as the Senior Director of Principal Operations on the Pete Buttigieg campaign where she oversaw scheduling, advance, briefings, correspondence, Chasten Buttigieg’s team and surrogate operations.

Originally from Colorado, Abbey lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Dan and pup, Cricket.

Jessica Stout

Managing producer

Jessica Stout is a seasoned communications professional with experience in government, political, nonprofit, corporate and issue advocacy communications and a particular expertise in leveraging innovative strategies, from traditional PR to large-scale event production, to affect change in today’s digital news environment.

Jessica has helped to manage numerous public affairs campaigns with diverse goals including impacting regulatory change at federal agencies, building momentum behind legislative action, establishing thought leadership, advocating on behalf of coalitions and building large-scale events to enhance brand awareness. Jessica served as a producer for primary debates for the Democratic National Committee, acting as the liaison between campaigns, networks and other partners. She was also the deputy creative director for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Jessica served on the Obama 2012 campaign, coordinating production of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, and on the ground in Colorado coordinating press operations, messaging, event planning and surrogate staffing.

Deesha Dyer

Senior Advisor

Deesha Dyer is the Founder and CEO of Hook & Fasten, a social impact consulting firm that builds transformational partnerships between communities and corporations around the globe. An award-winning strategist, on-the-ground community organizer, and executive operations expert, Deesha specializes in transforming ideas into causes that create tangible change. For nearly two decades, she has produced social-impact campaigns across entertainment, politics, philanthropy and business.

At 31 years old, Dyer entered the Obama Administration as a community college student intern and ultimately worked her way up to serving as White House Social Secretary. In that role, she resolved to not only open, but build lasting doors of opportunity for others. Dyer coordinated the historic visit by Pope Francis and booked legendary acts including Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin. Dyer recently completed a two-year tenure at the Ford Foundation, and in December 2019, finished a fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, where she designed and taught a study course entitled, “From Imposter to Impact.”

Named to Marie Claire’s new guard of women changing the world, Dyer’s personal journey has been guided by an unwavering passion for servant leadership, civic engagement, and social justice. In 2015, Essence called her “one of the most powerful women calling the shots in the Obama Administration.”

Adam Garber

Senior Advisor

In 2009, Adam Garber joined President Obama’s administration, changing his work focus from broadcast production to online media & public service.

As Director of Video, Special Projects & Senior Digital Strategist in the first ever White House Office of Digital Strategy, Adam led  passionate team of producers, editors and videographers that produced a wide range of media projects, White House events, and engaging stories. Their role brought the Presidency to the public like never before via online platforms, partnerships and events. Amongst other projects, Adam created the White House Student Film Festival, which ran for three years and was on a small team that created a large, and one of a kind, experience at the White House - South by South Lawn. 

Prior to joining the White House, Adam worked as a producer in Washington D.C. for programming featured on channels including Discovery, Science & History Channel and across PBS. Find out more about Adam here.

Becky Siu

Managing Producer

Becky Siu recently retired after 20 years of service with the US Army. She has worked with military and civilian executives and brings extensive experience in planning and executing conferences, formal ceremonies, and live events. A recent addition to the Weymouth/Watson family, Becky has supported and executed numerous virtual events and campaigns.

Phoebe Moore

SENIOR Associate producer

Phoebe Moore is an innovative professional in the event and brand marketing industries, with a passion towards promoting diversity, education, and accessibility. She has produced a wide range of events across the country, from large scale programming including the Mid-Atlantic Pre-Law Conference, YouTube Black Fanfest, and the National Museum of African-American History & Culture Opening Festival; to upscale weddings and life celebrations; to virtual fundraising galas, most recently for The FLEX Foundation, a non-profit providing law career mentorship and resources to BIPOC students in the DMV area. She gained experience in the political sphere as a Congressional intern for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), coordinating hearings and other special forums. 

Phoebe is a proud alumna of Howard University where she earned a BA in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications. She has had the distinct honor of serving as the Communications Director for the Howard University Student Association, was an active member of HU Mock Trial Team and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Intl, and has produced some of the most iconic university events including the 2016 Blueprint Homecoming and the Bison Ball & Excellence Awards, beloved by students and alumni alike.

Gab DeFranceschi

CONSULTING PRODUCER

As a Consultant, Gab brings nearly a decade of experience in fast paced and around the clock global events, travel and operations. This experience guides her belief in developing strong operational processes so as to maximize efficiency and increase space for creativity.

Gab has served two White Houses as Deputy Director of Advance for the Office of Vice President Harris and Senior Advance Coordinator for the Office of President Obama.  She also served The Obama Foundation's International Team in their first four years, creating, launching and managing the full-scope event, production and travel infrastructures for nine global year-round leadership programs.

Zoë Frolik

Consulting Producer

Zoë Frolik is a seasoned events specialist, bringing 7 years of experience from both on the ground production and headquarters management. From setting up chairs to executing 17,000-person events; there’s no challenge too big, no task too small. They are most proud of their work for Senator Sanders and for the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Zoë is a proud alumna of Colorado College where they earned a B.A. in Mathematics with a minor in Political Science. They were also a goalie for the Colorado College Women’s Lacrosse Team.

Claire Fahey

Senior Associate Producer

Claire Fahey is an experienced event and content producer, with a background in journalism and speaker booking. Utilizing innovative communication and organization skills, she has led events from creative ideation through program development to final execution on a variety of topics, including emerging technology and foreign policy.

Claire formerly worked for GovExec, managing and executing the digital event strategy for the defense and national security publication Defense One and creating bespoke programs for various Fortune 500 companies. She also brings a knowledge and passion for live music experiences having spent two years as a marketing and production intern for the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago and the Chicago Jazz Festival. 

Claire is a proud Chicago native and alumna of Northwestern University, where she earned a B.S. in Journalism with a Double Major and Honors Thesis in American Studies. In her free time, she enjoys cooking for friends and family, keeping up with all forms of pop culture, and rock climbing. 

JARED THOMPSON

MANAGING PRODUCER

Jared Thompson is an experienced event production and campaigns professional with nearly a decade of experience working in a variety of roles across government, nonprofit organizations, private companies, and electoral campaigns. Beginning his career helping manage large-scale events like the White House Easter Egg Roll and State Arrival Ceremonies in the Obama White House, Jared's career has also included time in policy and organizing roles with national nonprofits working to end homelessness, where he also supported the planning of conferences, convenings, and lobby days across the country.Originally from Indiana, Jared is a proud alumn of Indiana University and spent the 2020 cycle on the advance team for Pete Buttigieg's Presidential campaign and managing a congressional campaign in his home district. More recently, he has returned to Washington, D.C., where he has advised and supported a number of projects and candidates across the country, with a particular affinity for building strong event operations that help solve tough organizing challenges.

AARON BLINDERMAN

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Aaron is an experienced production and events specialist, with a background in Political Science and Middle East Studies. He brings over 5 years’ experience that spans events across the United States and the world, including Costa Rica, Egypt, and Vietnam. He has produced events for the American University in Cairo, the 2020, Bernie Presidential Campaign, the Biden-Harris White House, multiple Governor’s inaugurations, bus tours, conferences, conventions, press conferences, and more. He has worked on event ideation, venue searches, content implementation, as well as many aspects of event execution. He brings a seasoned knowledge of project management, as well as an earnest “no job too big or too small” attitude to all projects. He is always ready to craft personalized events and build new relationships.

Aaron is a proud Colorado College alum, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Political Science and History with a focus in the Middle East and North Africa. In his free time, he loves reading and experiencing new novels, going on long walks in Rock Creek Park, and attempting to try just about every restaurant in Washington DC.

MCKENZIE CLARKE

SENIOR ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

McKenzie Clarke is an experienced events professional and strategist, with a background in project management and event operations. She designs and implements client engagement strategies that continuously innovate event experiences to meet the dynamic priorities of today’s thought leaders. McKenzie centers on her leadership acumen and planning skills to curate impactful high-touch events that seek to hone the convening powers of diplomatic, government and business communities.

 McKenzie formerly worked as an associate director at the Atlantic Council, executing foreign policy-focused programming with senior U.S. government officials and global leaders, launching several key domestic initiatives and supporting international flagship events. Having spent five years at Goldman Sachs’ headquarters in New York City prior to that, she also brings a profound working knowledge of managing Fortune 500 clients and delivering premiere multi-million dollar corporate events.

McKenzie is a Miami native and a proud alumna of Princeton University where she earned an A.B. from the School of Public and International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict & Cooperation. In her free time, you can find her making her way through her ever-growing pile of books to be read or putting one of her four passports to good use on her next adventure.

CASEY LONG

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Casey is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a BA in Political Science with a focus in International Relations. Casey has a seasoned background in Campaign work, and worked on Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden’s 2020 campaigns while attending University. In her free time, Casey enjoys working with animals. She spent two years as a volunteer Puppy Raiser for Canine Companions for Independence.

KEVIN LOWERY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Kevin Lowery is a nationally published photographer, creative director, and progressive advocate. They started their political career photographing Stacey Abrams during her rise to national prominence in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race. Since then, Kevin has been on the front lines of political creative production.

Kevin is proud to be a part of the New South, as it’s often called, having worked closely with many prominent political leaders such as Stacey Abrams, Sen. Jon Ossif, Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, and US House of Representatives Lucy McBath and Nikema Williams. Working with their campaigns and other organizations like Fair Fight Action, Kevin has been able to tell the story of a new class of progressive political leaders and activists unlike the South has seen in decades.

In addition, Kevin has captured images for and collaborated with some of the most prominent figures and groups in our country. This includes President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Barack Obama, The Democratic Party, the Biden for President Campaign, and numerous others. 

Kevin lives in Atlanta with their husband and their 7 year old son.