PERSON: Christy Setzer

New Heights Communications

President

Christy Setzer is the President of New Heights Communications, a progressive communications firm based in Washington, DC. She brings more than fifteen years of experience providing smart, creative, and hard-hitting communications strategies to the political, advocacy and corporate arenas. Her work can be seen in the messages delivered by CEOs, elected officials from the presidential to local level, and a variety of progressive organizations– from 527 groups to major national unions.

Prior to starting her own firm, Setzer served as a spokesperson for three presidential campaigns—including as Iowa press secretary for Vice President Al Gore, spokeswoman for former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, and national press secretary for Senator Christopher J. Dodd. As communications director for Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Setzer helped the former NBA all-star defeat an entrenched incumbent in a 7-way primary, catapulting to victory.

At Planned Parenthood and the Service Employees International Union, where she worked as national media director, Setzer battled right-wing efforts to discredit and shut down funding for the organizations while highlighting the grassroots activities of hundreds of affiliates.

As a direct mail consultant for The Strategy Group, Christy charted the successful roadmaps to win several open seats in the state legislatures of Wisconsin and Colorado.

Christy founded New Heights Communications in 2010 to help drive strategy and tactics for progressive organizations working to promote democracy, establish equality, and broadly secure social justice. She frequently appears on cable television offering Democratic perspective on current events, and is a regular guest on Fox News’ “Hannity,” CNBC’s “Kudlow Report,” and RT’s “The Big Picture” with Thom Hartmann. Christy also enjoys speaking on women’s leadership issues, public relations and politics, and has addressed students at the George Washington University School of Business, American University’s Institute for Politics, and the Public Relations Student Society of America group at Howard University.

She serves on the board of the DC Employment Justice Center. Christy is a graduate of Vassar College and lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Tyler Prell.

— womensmediacenter.com