Our Team
Partners
Kerman Maddox
Managing Partner
Rick Taylor
Partner
Staff
Makoto Mizutani
Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications
As Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications, Makoto Mizutani oversees the development and implementation of a variety of outreach campaigns and communication strategies for our clients. Makoto has worked with Dakota Communications for over 16 years and leads the team in developing creative, effective, and innovative strategic outreach programs to achieve successful client outcomes. Makoto has extensive experience in visual communications and has worked with a variety of multidisciplinary design offices. Her ability to bridge design-thinking methodologies with effective outreach strategies is a key factor in developing successful and creative programs for our clients.
Scott Donohue
Outreach Consultant
Scott Donohue is an Outreach Consultant for Dakota Communications and holds extensive experience working with clients to develop effective, targeted outreach and communication strategies, facilitates third party coordination, and manages constituent/stakeholder services. He is currently consulting for the Metro Purple Line Extension and the Harbor-UCLA Replacement Program. Prior to Dakota Communications, Scott served as a field director and consultant for several political campaigns in Southern California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
Rosa Bravo
Senior Strategic Advisor
A career management consultant and strategist with multinational experience, Rosa Bravo has been delivering transformative solutions to complex business challenges both in the public and private sectors. Today she provides strategic communications & outreach, market development, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion guidance to clients in the technology, government, and social impact sectors. Inspired by purposeful work and improving the lives of the people in our communities, Rosa is a proud board member of the LA World Affairs Council & Town Hall, USC Latino Alumni Association, and A Thousand Joys.
Jeff Taylor
Graphic Design Director
Jeffrey Taylor is a highly creative and multi talented graphic designer with substantial experience in multimedia, marketing, and print design. Jeffrey has developed an extensive and effective multimedia portfolio for Dakota Communications and its clients over the past 16 years, especially for clients and large-scale projects like Providence Holy Cross Hospital, Westfield Mall, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Water Replenishment District, and countless others. Jeffrey also has significant experience in data collection and management for Dakota Communication’s public outreach and education campaigns, media campaigns, and is also highly experienced in client and vendor relations and negotiations.
Reinita Ducielle
Civic & Community Affairs Specialist
As the Civic & Community Affairs Specialist, Reinita comes to Dakota Communications with a political background of 8 years combined, where she worked for the Office of L.A. Controller Ron Galperin’s Community Engagement Team and the City of West Hollywood’s Council Offices for all 5 elected members. Reinita has extensive experience implementing strategic outreach to hundreds of different city-wide, community-based organizations that service inner-city and underserved neighborhoods in Los Angeles, public speaking at events on behalf of an elected, and elevating “social justice issues’’ dedicated to advancing equality, equity, civil rights and justice in the City and beyond.
A graduate of Mount Saint Mary's University, she has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with 2 Minors in Pre-Law & International Relations and a Master's Degree in Humanities with a Concentration on Cultural Studies.
Christian John Bradley
Outreach Manager
Christian John Bradley is an Outreach Manager at Dakota Communications, who is responsible for handling day-to-day operations, writing briefing documents on client activities, drafting and sending press releases, developing outreach strategies, and write monthly update memos. Christian has been heavily involved in community and faith-based service initiatives in the local Los Angeles area. He holds a Bachelor, and Master, of Arts from the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism from the University of Southern California.
Kiona Bogard
Executive Consultant
Kiona Bogard is an Executive Consultant who provides outsourced contract management, bookkeeping, and human resource management services for Dakota Communications. She is a licensed Certified Public Bookkeeper by the NACPB and has more than 5 years of experience. Kiona is a liaison between Dakota Communications and their clients, subcontractors, employees, vendors, and government agencies. She works closely with clients and subcontractors to manage the fulfillment of contract terms to include invoicing and budget monitoring. She also coordinates with government agencies and vendors to fulfill financial responsibilities, and with employees to administer payroll and benefits.
Emily Reyes
Project Assistant
Emily Reyes is a Project Assistant for Dakota Communications, who assists with administrative tasks including, but not limited to handling day-to-day operations, monitoring client activities, assisting in the development of request for proposals, and participating in client strategy sessions. Previously, Emily worked for the Office of Government and External Affairs at Cal Poly Pomona, where she assisted with campus advocacy efforts at the state and federal level by monitoring and researching legislation, collaborating with departments across campus to increase civic engagement opportunities, and drafting external communications to share about campus initiatives.
Jad Hagekhalil
Project Assistant
As a Project Assistant, Jad Hagekhalil assists with data collection and analysis, submission of project proposals, monitoring of client activities, participating in client strategy meetings, and managing of day-to-day administrative duties at Dakota Communications to ensure its smooth and timely operation. Before joining Dakota, Jad previously interned at the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Kindel Gagan, a public advocacy group, where he was responsible for data aggregation and analysis to streamline the use of funds dedicated to low-income, water utility users and storm water capture, respectively. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.