Chris Billeter is an executive vice president and head of digital strategy and insights. A seasoned digital communications and public affairs practitioner, he has spent more than 15 years in Washington, D.C., helping organizations navigate the intersection of politics, policy, communications, and technology.

Throughout his career, Chris has worked at agencies large and small, within membership organizations, and on political campaigns. His clients have included major corporations, trade associations representing some of the country’s most consequential industries, congressional candidates, and nonprofit organizations advocating for whales and penguins.

Before joining FTP, Chris was a Senior Vice President in Burson’s Corporate and Public Affairs and Digital practices. He has also led digital teams at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, DCI Group, Seven Letter, and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Chris graduated from American University with a double major in Political Science and Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG). He lives in Arlington with his girlfriend and their dog, Hazel.

Prior to joining FTP, he interned in the U.S. House of Representatives, supporting constituent services and legislative operations, and served as a fellow on a U.S. Senate campaign, contributing to voter outreach and campaign strategy. He most recently worked with Nexus Strategies on a research project focused on public affairs and strategic communications.

Lauren is a director in FTP’s public affairs practice. She works with FTP’s field network to advance client interests at the state and federal levels through community engagement, earned and paid media, and content development.

Lauren’s on-the-ground experience and creative style make her a versatile team member, bouncing from complex trade issues to emotional healthcare appeals. She is able to quickly “get smart” on any issue, and think strategically about the best course of action for any problem.

Starting her career at a boutique public affairs firm in Nashville, TN allowed her to hone her communications, research, and government affairs skills. Lauren was immersed in all aspects of client work on a diverse set of issues, from opposing wastewater treatment plants to securing Certificates of Need or handling strategic communication for law enforcement co-response units.

Hailing from Irmo, SC, she is passionate about connecting with real people on real issues, and centers deep understanding of target audiences and communities for every issue.

Caroline is a director in FTP’s public affairs practice, where she supports national and multi‑state public affairs campaigns across the health care sector. Her work focuses on developing and executing strategic communication initiatives that elevate provider voices, strengthen health care access, and advance advocacy efforts across complex health care landscapes.

Caroline leads national campaign strategy and manages relationships with advocacy partners and state teams, advising on campaign expansion, stakeholder engagement, and messaging to strengthen visibility and positioning for clients. Previously, she worked at Ketchum on the Public Sector and Government team, supporting federal health‑communications initiatives focused on research participation, health literacy, and workforce development through communications and outreach.

Doug Usher is a partner and leads FTP’s insights and analytics practice. He has spent the last two decades building insights that have helped change the strategic trajectory of major corporations, industry associations, and political campaigns. Combining deep expertise in opinion research, data analysis, and analytics with years of experience navigating the intersection between business goals and the political, policy, and regulatory spheres, Doug helps clients build winning strategies and campaigns across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on the healthcare, technology, and energy sectors.

In addition to his work at FTP, Doug helped launch the M.S. program in Political Analytics at Columbia University, where he consults, lectures, and helps develop the next generation of analytics professionals. Doug has appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, CNN, National Public Radio, and CBC TV in Canada to analyze trends in public opinion and politics. His writing has been published in The Wall Street Journal, National Journal, The Hill, and Campaigns & Elections.

Gray is a vice president in FTP’s public affairs practice. He is seasoned operative with nearly a decade in Republican campaigns and committees. Prior to joining FTP, he served as campaign manager on multiple Federal and gubernatorial campaigns in Virginia and Illinois. Beginning his career as an RNC operative, he directed large-scale committee operations in Nevada, California, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Following a 20-point victory during Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s (R) reelection in 2022, Gray founded Zeal Digital, LLC, a digital and data consulting firm based in Tallahassee, FL. As an independent consultant, he was involved with projects across the country, including contributing to President Trump’s 2024 victory as part of AmericaPAC Wisconsin.

Originally from Raleigh, NC, Gray holds a B.S. from UNC Wilmington. He now resides in Washington, D.C.

Verity is an account coordinator in FTP’s public affairs practice. She supports a wide range of clients by helping manage day-to-day account activities, drafting written materials, and assisting with client events.

Before stepping into her current role, Verity served as a public affairs intern at FTP, where she conducted research and media scans, contributed to social media content and competitor audits, and provided administrative support across client workstreams. Previously, she worked as an events intern at Markham, managing vendor relations and event logistics from initial outreach through execution for high-profile events.

Verity also interned with the Democratic National Committee, where she supported the Best Practices Institute and the Association of State Democratic Committees by helping maintain training resources, coordinating bootcamps, and supporting program logistics. She also served as a volunteer leader on Jon Ossoff’s Senate campaign and as a poll worker with the Chatham County Board of Elections.

Verity graduated with honors from American University with degrees in Political Science and in Public Relations and Strategic Communication and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy from American University, expected in 2027. Originally from Savannah, Georgia, she now lives in Washington, D.C., where she enjoys reading and exploring the city.

Cristina is a senior vice president in FTP’s public affairs practice, where she specializes in building integrated communications programs for corporate, nonprofit, and government clients in the healthcare space. She leads initiatives across partnership development, corporate reputation, executive visibility, thought leadership, and public health and healthcare public affairs, advising pharmaceutical companies, foundations, advocacy organizations, associations, payers, and hospitals and health systems on how to reach and engage priority stakeholders.
On behalf of clients, Cristina oversees national public affairs campaigns that advance specific policy, advocacy, and stakeholder goals. Her environment‑shaping work currently focuses on therapeutic innovations in pain management, opioid use disorder, and overdose reversal, helping clients communicate clearly about complex science and policy questions while navigating sensitive political and reputational dynamics.

Cristina has managed media relations programs for a leading vaccine manufacturer during the COVID‑19 pandemic and led executive visibility and corporate reputation efforts for Biogen’s neuroscience portfolio, Lilly’s Alzheimer’s disease and oncology business units, and Sandoz, Novartis’s generics and biosimilars manufacturer. Her public health and payer experience ranges from supporting national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campaigns to designing signature community health programs for Kaiser Permanente.

Cristina holds a Master of Arts in Management with a concentration in Marketing from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and International Relations from the College of William & Mary. She lives on Capitol Hill with her husband and two daughters, and she enjoys hiking and biking the trails across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.

Anthony is a senior designer on FTP’s creative team, where he leads and executes design across the firm’s sectors. He specializes in translating complex ideas into clear, compelling visual solutions that support strategic communications and integrated public affairs campaigns.

In his role, Anthony develops intentional creative for campaigns and coalitions spanning healthcare, transportation and infrastructure, education and workforce, and other emerging public affairs issues. He is passionate about blending refined aesthetics with meaningful impact, ensuring that design not only captures attention but also resonates with diverse audiences and advances clients’ strategic goals.

Prior to joining FTP, Anthony spent seven years working across agency and in‑house environments with a focus on digital media and branding. His experience includes art directing global sustainability campaigns for Microsoft, developing high‑performing social content for Nike Basketball, evolving the visual identity of The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, and creating brand systems for Compass real estate agents in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Jake is a senior director in FTP’s public affairs practice where he advises clients on digital strategy, messaging, and content development. He leads integrated content planning across channels and works closely with creative and earned media teams to build campaigns that help organizations engage policymakers and other target audiences.

Before joining FTP, Jake was an associate creative director of copy at FleishmanHillard, a global public relations firm, where he developed creative concepts for public health education and healthcare initiatives, oversaw content creation for major public affairs and technology campaigns, and guided C-suite leaders through brand voice and messaging workshops. His work on the firm’s Creative and Brand Marketing teams contributed to award-winning PR campaigns and established the D.C. office’s writing and content capabilities.

Throughout his career, Jake has specialized in brand identity, messaging development, content strategy, copywriting, and digital-first storytelling to help ensure clients across industries show up with the right voice on the right channels for the right audience.