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.

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. 

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.

Victoria Sheppard, PhD, LP

Research Scientist, Subject Matter Expert

Dr. Sheppard is a licensed psychologist with a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Sheppard has worked with children, adolescents, and their families in various settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, and residential programs. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Boston College. Dr. Sheppard has expertise supporting children and adolescents with emotion regulation difficulties, trauma, and those identifying as LGBTQ+, and is skilled in implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Her research has focused on the social determinants of mental health functioning, the implementation of school-based mental health services (including prevention programs), and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Passionate about mental health promotion and healing, Dr. Sheppard believes in the transformative power of quality and accessible services. She is dedicated to helping young people, with a particular career emphasis on LGBTQ+ youth and their families navigate emotional challenges with resilience and compassion. At Change Craft Dr. Sheppard serves as a consultant with extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ youth in the capacity of a licensed and trained behavioral health professional. In this capacity, Dr. Sheppard reviews content, proposed research plans, and campaign strategic messaging from a trauma-informed and healing centered expert perspective to advise on potentially activating language, ensure audience/participant protection, and minimize the potential for unintended consequences.