WHO WE ARE

We've been news reporters, crisis managers and political consultants – and one of us was an NBA communications director. Get to know our team.

S+C co-founders Chip Scutari and Dave Cieslak work with public relations executive Penny Pfaelzer at Korean Air headquarters in Seoul. Our firm hosted a series of messaging and communications coaching sessions for the CEO of Korean Air and members of the airline's global leadership team.

Executive Team

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Phoenix

Chip Scutari

Chip Scutari is co-founder of S+C Communications and managing partner of the firm’s Phoenix office. He brings an authentic knowledge of storytelling and public policy, using an eye for compelling content and a reporter’s instinct to the world of media relations, crisis communications and media coaching.

For 15 years, including several at the Arizona State Capitol, Chip worked on the journalistic frontlines covering Arizona’s most powerful politicians and influential business leaders. His reporting chops, connections and understanding of policy, politics and business helps an array of clients navigate the ever-evolving landscape of communications.

National news outlets like NPR, Fox News and The New York Times, frequently call Chip for his insights on the news because of his reach across the political spectrum. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Greater Phoenix Chamber and the Friends of Public Radio Arizona.

Get to Know Chip

Current city: Scottsdale, AZ

Favorite movie: Casablanca

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt? Head Coach of the US Men’s National Soccer Team.

Favorite city to visit: Providence, RI

What book(s) have you read recently that you would recommend? “The Splendid and the Vile” by Eric Larson.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, San Diego

Dave Cieslak

Dave Cieslak is co-founder of S+C Communications and managing partner of the firm’s San Diego office. As a former crime reporter and college journalism instructor, Dave brings a unique skill set and deep communications expertise to S+C’s media training, public relations and crisis management work.

In 2008, Dave was honored to serve as a state communications director for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, putting him on a first-name basis with business and community leaders across the nation. Dave was elected to the Ocean Beach Town Council in San Diego and served as its public relations chair in 2012. He also was a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care, Energy & Water, and Legislative & Small Business committees.

Dave has provided analysis for The New York Times, Politico, and Newsweek, and has also appeared as a commentator on MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC and Dateline NBC.

Get to Know Dave

About my family: I live in San Diego with my beautiful, kind and exceptionally talented wife Jen, and our sweet rescue dogs.

Favorite TV show(s): It’s a three-way tie: The Office, Breaking Bad and MTV’s The Challenge.

People would be surprised to know: I played awkward teenager Joel Wasserstein in one episode of “The Ben Stiller Show”.

Favorite vacation spot: Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Favorite food: Super nachos with soy chorizo and a ton of guacamole.

Executive Vice President and Managing Director, New York

Kim Mandara

Kim Mandara is an executive vice president and managing director of S+C Communications’ New York office and brings more than 20 years of strategic communications experience in sports, entertainment, media, hospitality and global brands.

Prior to joining S+C, Kim was previously Vice President and Global Head of Communications and Events for Legends, a sports, entertainment, hospitality and experiences company co-founded by the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. Prior to that role, she spent 13 years at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she directed the corporate communication practice and led communications for the league’s Global Partnerships division and the Strategy & Innovation group, managing communications strategies, creative storytelling, activations, media relations, and events for blue-chip brands.

Earlier in her career, Kim worked in corporate communications for Viacom (now Paramount) and at FleishmanHillard, a global PR and digital marketing agency.

Get to Know Kim

Current city: New York City

Pets: I have a 6-year-old mixed-breed rescue dog named Jeff, who is now a certified volunteer/therapy dog.

Bucket-list vacation destination: Japan or the Maldives

What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? I went skydiving and bungee jumping on the same day.

Most recent concert attended: NY State of Mind Tour featuring Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and De La Soul.

Senior Leadership Team

Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Toronto

Brad Dugard

Brad Dugard is senior vice president and managing director of S+C Communications’ Toronto office.

Before joining S+C, Brad worked for Cushman & Wakefield, holding various roles during his nearly 13-year tenure, including as Global Vice President of Communications. He was involved in several high-profile projects, including the firm’s $2B merger with global real estate firm DTZ in 2015, and the firm’s 2018 Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange.

Prior to this, Brad led communications for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and served in the Office of the Premier and the Offices of the Ministers of Finance and Education for the province of Ontario – providing issues and crisis management, speech writing, media relations and stakeholder management.

Brad has also worked on six political campaigns, from provincial general elections to a national referendum, delivering communications strategies, opposition research, crisis management and rapid response (war room) communications.

Get to Know Brad

Favorite movie: The Hunt for Red October

Go-to drink order: Black Manhattan

People would be surprised to know: I used to own and operate a towing company.

Have you completed a half and/or full marathon? I’ve completed 4 half marathons and 2 full marathons (and counting), most recently the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon.

Who in public relations, media, business or news would most like to meet? I’d love to go back in time and meet Ivy Lee, the creator of modern public relations (and crisis management).

Vice President

Mary Okoye

As vice president at S+C Communications in Tucson, Mary Okoye is adept at strategically positioning her corporate and government clients to succeed at the state, local and federal levels by developing winning external relations, critical communications and advocacy strategies. Mary has represented the interests of corporate clients such as AT&T, Hudson Group, Airbnb and Cigna.

In her previous role as an attorney, Mary worked in private practice, served as a Tucson City Court Magistrate, and was Pima County Public Fiduciary before accepting a position with the City of Tucson as Director of Intergovernmental Relations. Mary convened and led teams of public, private and community leaders in the successful pursuit of hundreds of millions of dollars of federal and state funding opportunities for downtown efforts, which included the Modern Street Car project.

Mary has served on numerous boards including Patronato San Xavier and the international Urban Libraries Council.

Vice President, Phoenix

Fields Moseley

Fields Moseley is the vice president of S+C Communications’ Phoenix office.

Before joining S+C, Fields was the Communications Director at Maricopa County for 10 years, where he built an award-winning team of marketing, social media, web design and media relations professionals to serve one of the most populated counties in the U.S. He managed a number of significant crisis communications situations, including creating the Joint Information Center to provide critical public health information during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also planned and executed the Election Command Center to support the Elections Department during a series of accusations following the 2020 election cycle.

Prior to his work at Maricopa County, Fields spent more than two decades in broadcast journalism reporting and anchoring the news in Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Utah and Arizona. From hurricanes on the East Coast to wildfires in the west, his brand of storytelling won multiple Associated Pressawards and a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award in 2012.

Get to Know Fields

People would be surprised to know:

I hiked Utah’s highest peak – King’s Peak, and I’ve done Rim to Rim each way in the Grand Canyon.

What is the most interesting place you ever lived?

Saudi Arabia. My family moved there when I was 10 years old, and it enabled us to travel the world.

Favorite activity?

It’s a tossup between mountain biking and skiing. I like to get outside.

Favorite movie?

Batman Dark Knight

Director of Media Relations and Public Outreach, Toronto

Edna Canning-Park

Edna Canning-Park is director of media relations and public outreach at S+C Communications.

With more than 15 years of communications experience as both a consultant and in-house communications leader, Edna has amassed a wealth of expertise ranging from media relations, C-suite messaging, employee communications, digital and social media copywriting as well as providing counsel on a wide scope of topics and issues management.

Prior to joining S+C, Edna led corporate communications for the Canadian business of global commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. A proven leader who delivers high-impact results, Edna significantly increased media coverage of the firm in top-tier publications and outlets across the country and elevated employee relations through precise, consistent and relevant communications under her purview. She was also involved in several corporate initiatives, including acquisitions and large-scale projects requiring change management.

Get to Know Edna

Education: Honors B.A. in English and Mass Communication from York University in Toronto, Canada

Guilty pleasure? Watching true crime documentaries.

Go-to drink order: Champagne, espresso martini, or a French 75.

Favorite recreational activity: Horseback riding

Bucket-list vacation destination: Iceland or New Zealand

Director of Media Buying and Planning

Lizzy Moore

Lizzy Moore is the director of media buying and planning at S+C Communications. With nearly 20 years in the advertising world, both on the agency and client side, Lizzy brings a wealth of knowledge about traditional and digital media planning and buying services. Her approach to media is to start with a neutral mindset in evaluating possible solutions based on the campaign’s goals and objectives. This strategy, along with experience working on national, regional and local brands gives her the fluidity to work efficiently across varying brand categories.

Lizzy has vast experience with accounts in telecom, e-commerce, QSR, B2B, as well as travel and tourism. Her client list includes Mountain Capital Partners ski resorts, iLEAD Schools, Farmers & Merchants Bank and Visit Mesa. Certifications include Facebook Buying Certified Professional, Bing Accredited Professional, Google Ads Certified Partner, Google Analytics Certified, DoubleClick Bid Manager (DV360) Individual Certification and Waze Local Advanced and Fundamentals. She is also experienced in Strata, Google Ads Manager (DCM), Flashtalking and Sizmek.

Controller

Ronny Hudson

Ronny Hudson is the controller for S+C Communications and oversees all financial matters for the company.

In this role, Ronny leads financial projects, human resources, financial decision-making, strategic analysis and operational planning for the company. His responsibilities include budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. Additionally, Ronny liaises with S+C clients to ensure smooth financial operations with all stakeholders.

The strategic direction that Ronny provides is critical to decision-making and long-term success for the fast-growing boutique communications firm.

Get to Know Ronny

Current city: Mesa, AZ

About my family: I reside with my wife Barbie and our eight-year-old son Parker.

Favorite song: Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Musical instrument(s) played: Piano

What’s the most thrilling thing you’ve ever done: Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

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