Washington, D.C. – SKDK is investing in the next generation of industry leaders through a new partnership with Progressive Pipeline, which will expand growth opportunities for underrepresented talent by broadening the candidate pool for the firm’s internship program. Progressive Pipeline provides training, mentorship, and support to a diverse pool of more than 7,000 candidates and has deployed 220 fellows across 73 organizations.
“SKDK is made stronger by the diversity of our team – a commitment to equity, inclusion, and racial justice is at the core of who we are and the work we do,” said Rae Robinson, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer of SKDK. “We are building a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences, perspectives, and identities of the world and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone. SKDK’s partnership with Progressive Pipeline has been, and will continue to be, a key part of advancing those values.”
“By investing in this program and in our fellows, SKDK is a leader in building a diverse talent pipeline into consulting and communications,” said Michael Michaelson, Executive Director of Progressive Pipeline. “They’ve done real work to sustain an inclusive and equitable organization, and we consistently recommend them to folks from underrepresented backgrounds looking to launch their careers.”
“As an intern, I was able to get a feel for the public affairs work being done for clients in education, political advocacy, and the corporate beverage industry. I appreciated how each team included me in the projects and assignments, and I wanted to continue learning from these industry professionals. I hope to eventually become an industry leader and learn how to develop messaging for a campaign I want to support,” said Christian Hernandez, Former SKDK Progressive Pipeline Intern and Current SKDK Associate.
“I have been interning at SKDK since November 2021 thanks to their partnership with Progressive Pipeline. I was a recent college graduate in the middle of a pandemic who was looking for a start to my career in politics with no connections or even a place at the starting line. Now, I feel like I am contributing to something bigger than myself. I have improved my writing skills. I have learned to write press releases, social media toolkits, how to pitch to reporters, and how to navigate the most competitive media market in the country. I see multiple directions that my future can go. It’s my time to explore and see what I can do,” said Esmeralda Orozco, Current SKDK Progressive Pipeline Intern.
About SKDK
SKDK is a top national communications and political consulting firm bringing unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and labor unions, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support to managing a crisis, protecting a brand, advocating an issue or winning an election.
In 2020, SKDK was a key advisor to the Biden for President campaign and helped to make history by electing Joe Biden as President of The United States and Kamala Harris, the nation’s first Black, Asian-American and first woman, as Vice President. The influential Holmes Report once again named SKDK as the North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year in 2019, following wins in 2015, 2016, and 2018. To learn more about SKDK, visit our website at www.skdknick.com.SKDK is a proud member of The Stagwell Group, a collaborative group of agencies who are out to “reinvent the holding company,” according to the Wall Street Journal. The Stagwell Group portfolio includes more than a dozen best-in-class, digital-first agencies who are focused on what modern CMOs need. Learn more about Stagwell at www.stagwellgroup.com.