If you have a story that needs to be told, Charla will make sure it's heard. Some news editors say she's the best in the business and we agree.

Charla's sharp instincts and keen understanding of how media works are products of her years of experience working in politics and with the media in both Washington state and Washington, D.C. Most notably, Charla was U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's Press Secretary for 3 ½ years and Congressman Rick Larsen's Communications Director for 3 years prior to that.

When Charla first started with Senator Cantwell, Enron was known as just an accounting problem. Market manipulation was something even the brightest members of Congress ignored. With help from the Snohomish PUD, Charla blew the lid off Enron's cover, generating so much press that the Federal Energy Regulator Commission was shamed into taking action and now there are new laws to keep market manipulation from happening again.

Charla laughs at the question, "What do you like to do in your free time?" but does enjoy the company of her two Saint Bernards who spend their evenings trying to disguise themselves as lapdogs.

University of Washington (B.A., English) by way of Federal Way, Washington.

As a longtime political news reporter, Lesley brings a strong background in writing, media and public policy to the Strategies 360 team.

Lesley moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2006, after a decade as a daily newspaper reporter in the Midwest, covering local and state politics for the The Indianapolis Star, the Wisconsin State Journal and the State Journal-Register. Most recently, she was a business reporter for IntraFish Media, writing and editing seafood news for a global publication. She has a knack for the written word and an inherited love of politics - her mother is a longtime county board commissioner in Wisconsin.

Lesley once biked 554 miles from Minneapolis to Chicago to raise money for AIDS research. It took six days, three flat tires, one broken chain and about 25 power bars. She hasn’t eaten a power bar since.

University of Illinois, Springfield (Master's in Public Affairs Reporting), Northern Illinois University (BA in journalism) by way of Madison, Wisconsin.

Melisa keeps the Strategies 360 office running smoothly, using her multi-tasking skills to coordinate calendars and meetings, and uses her quick wit to solve problems. Practically a mind-reader, Melisa is able to astutely anticipate the needs of the office.

Melisa joined Strategies 360 after five years at the Chelan County Public Utilities District, where she served as Executive Assistant to the General Manager and the Board of Commissioners.

Embodying the Pacific Northwest spirit, Melisa is an avid skier, hiker and has para-sailed and even took a whitewater kayaking class. And when she's not in the great outdoors, Melisa works on adding to her extensive collection of shot glasses from around the world.

Green River Community College by way of Covington, Washington.

As a recent graduate from University of Washington, Jessica brings energy and a strong sense of excitement and enthusiasm to her first "real job" - at Strategies 360. She is looking forward to learning as much as possible from her talented colleagues.

Throughout her college career, Jessica's growing interest in politics led her to many interesting opportunities and activities, including an exciting internship with Maria Cantwell’s successful 2006 senatorial re-election campaign. At UW she had the opportunity to study International Communication as well as European Media Systems in Rome, Italy. During her time spent in Europe she discovered her passion for traveling and learning about new cultures, languages and cuisines.

Jessica's newly discovered passion for travel has taken her most recently to the Middle East, where she spent time in both Israel and Jordan. Her next dream vacation? India.

Jessica is a local Seattleite and true UW Husky. This past June, she graduated with honors and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication, with a focus on political communication.