PR, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONALS
Brandon Tate, MBA
President and Chief Communications Strategist
Brandon is a marketing expert, public speaker, and PR strategist with 20 years of experience, known for his work in early childhood and public health campaigns with US Food and Drug Administration, First 5 California, California Department of Public Health, County of Los Angeles, and more. He is a recognized and published expert in LGBTQ+ communications having led one of the US’s largest LGBT health campaigns, This Free Life, in addition to his prior work at Equality California, San Diego LGBT Community Center, Environmental Health Coalition and other organizations working to create healthier, more equitable communities. Brandon is also the architect behind First 5 California’s award-winning campaign, Stronger Starts, designed for parents and caregivers of children 0-5. As President of Change Craft, he spearheads impactful social marketing programs and PR initiatives across diverse topic areas. He’s earned numerous awards and recognition including from American Public Health Association, Association of National Advertisers, World Social Marketing, Shorty Social Good, and others.
Calvin Tate
Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director
Calvin Tate is an artist, graphic designer, children’s book author and award-winning chef who moved from Thailand when he was 17 years old. His story exemplifies resilience and creativity, transitioning from a challenging upbringing to a celebrated career in communication as the founder of Change Craft. As a dad to two young girls, Calvin, who was disowned by his biological family after coming out, remains grounded and inspired to produce work that improves the lives of those misunderstood or historically marginalized. Calvin’s dual identity as an immigrant and LGBTQ+ underscores his commitment to community and shapes his creative vision, driving him to produce work that not only challenges societal norms but also offers solace and representation. In 2020, Calvin received recognition from the California State Assembly for his standout work at the Art Institute of California.
Stacey Reardon
Senior Director of Strategy
Stacey Reardon’s background in government and strategic communications, paired with her dedication to public service, marks her as a distinguished member of the Change Craft team. Over the past decade she has played a pivotal role in early childhood education policies including the California Assembly’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education as part of her formal role in the Office of the Speaker of the Assembly. More recently Stacey served as Associate Director of Strategy at Rescue Agency where she led PR strategy and other communications initiatives with First 5 California and First 5 LA. Her expertise in PR and strategic communications, combined with her relationships and knowledge of the California policy landscape, showcases her commitment to equitable policy implementation and her ability to drive significant media attention for clients.
Tony Stern
Senior Creative Director
Tony’s creative career spans 20+ years and nearly just as many cities. He has held staff positions from copywriter to CCO in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York for some of the world’s most respected agencies. As a creative consultant, Tony traveled the globe for a decade providing creative direction, content, and leadership for the likes of Apple, Google, Samsung, the Obama administration, burgeoning startups, and nearly every car company imaginable. Now as part of Change Craft, Tony leads the charge to drive and shape creative output for our growing roster of clients. He has received numerous distinctions including Clios, Andys, One Shows, Effies, Athenas, an Emmy and two permanent installations in the Museum of Modern Art. Tony lives in Venice CA with his wife, Lauren, and two sons, Beckett and Callan. And can’t for the life of him figure out where it all went right.
Mehaik Dammanwalla
Media Director
Mehaik Dammanwalla’s 13-year career is highlighted by her success in senior marketing roles at notable media giants including Hulu, HBO Max, and Spotify. With over 13 years of media industry expertise, her focus has been on cultivating strategic partnerships, executing audience-engaging marketing strategies, and spearheading innovative product management initiatives. She has a proven track record of effectively leading diverse teams through early-stage product launches, imaginative go-to-market campaigns, and overseeing largescale national and global media programs. She has a knack for rejuvenating established brands and elevating engagement levels to drive sustained growth. During her tenure at Hulu, she pioneered initiatives aimed at enhancing engagement and increasing subscriptions through multiple platforms. Subsequently, she played a pivotal role in the successful launch of HBO Max where she led the growth marketing team and grassroots marketing efforts. Most recently, she served on the global content team at Spotify to leverage the platform’s creators to drive engagement for advertising partners. At Change Change, Mehaik oversees communications strategy and integrated media plans to incorporate paid, owned, and earned channel approaches.
Dr. Scout
Senior Research Consultant and LGBTQ+ Subject Matter Expert
As a nationally and globally renowned leader in LGBTQ+ health, Dr. Scout builds bridges between policy and action, with a particular focus on equity and inclusion for under-represented communities. He accomplishes this through programmatic design, identifying and promulgating best practices, trainings, research, and evaluation. His work focuses on addressing LGBTQ+ tobacco and cancer disparities, providing technical assistance, and expanding research and surveillance in the community. With faculty appointments at prestigious universities and numerous accolades for his contributions, Scout’s advocacy is further personal as a nonbinary and trans parent, reflecting his commitment to health equity and inclusion. Dr. Scout has extensive experience advising government organizations in public education and communication efforts designed to improve health outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations. At Change Craft, Dr. Scout consults and advises on research projects including audience insight development, message testing and evaluation
Daniel Holechek
Senior Video Director
Daniel Holechek joins Change Craft as Senior Video Director, bringing over 15 years of experience in film and video production. Daniel has a proven track record of creating compelling visual content throughout his extensive career including senior producing roles on projects with networks such as FX and HBO. Daniel has produced and edited popular shows like Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Twisted Sisters, Wahlburgers, and The League, showcasing his versatility and expertise. In addition to his television work, Daniel is an accomplished filmmaker. His 2012 short film, ‘A Finger, Two Dots Then Me,’ has screened at over 80 film festivals worldwide, winning over 35 awards, including the CINE Master’s Series Award and the Heartland Film Festival’s Crystal Heart Award. Alongside his twin brother, Daniel co-founded Duality Filmworks, a versatile production company with credits spanning broadcast television, music videos, and national commercial spots. At Change Craft, Daniel will lead the video production team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality and impactful videos that align with client objectives.