About Us

Craig is an experienced communications and digital strategist specializing in messaging and copywriting. He has helped Democrats across the country raise millions of dollars online, break through to voters with targeted digital ads, and overperform at the ballot box. Prior to launching Ascend with co-founder Michael Sparks, he served as a communications director in the U.S. House of Representatives and in other high-level roles in state and federal politics.

Michael has eight cycles of campaign experience and digital strategy. At Ascend, he specializes in video production, ad buying, email and SMS deliverability, and targeting. Michael’s experience also includes serving on presidential campaigns, gubernatorial races, managing digital operations for a variety of startup businesses, and working as an organizer on Democratic campaigns across the nation.

Bailey is an experienced digital strategist who’s raised more than $100 million online for Democratic candidates and causes. As a Principal at Ascend, she specializes in digital fundraising strategy, list-building and email and text message marketing. Before joining Ascend, she served as Senior Advisor for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) campaign, building a first-of-its-kind digital fundraising and persuasion program to reelect Senator Schumer to a historic fifth term and expand Democrats’ majority in the U.S. Senate. She also was Digital Director for Governor Steve Bullock's (D-Mont.) campaigns for president and U.S. Senate. Throughout her career, she’s led innovative online fundraising programs for campaigns at every level, from state legislative races to some of the most competitive Senate and special election campaigns in the country.

With over a decade of experience in digital fundraising, Tori has helped progressive campaigns, nonprofits, and ballot initiatives grow grassroots programs and exceed ambitious online fundraising goals. She has a proven track record of reviving underperforming programs—improving deliverability, boosting engagement, and turning around struggling email lists. A proud Pennsylvanian, she served as Digital Director for both Governor Tom Wolf’s 2018 re-election and Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s 2020 re-election, surpassing small-dollar goals and keeping both campaigns ahead of digital trends. In 2019, she served as Digital Director for the non-profit Let America Vote, leading their digital fundraising, advertising, and advocacy efforts. Previously, she led a creative team supporting a range of progressive organizations, ballot initiatives, PACs, and nonprofits—driving list growth, ensuring email health, and raising millions across competitive cycles.

Eric has created successful fundraising content since 2020. His experience includes writing engaging email, text, and Facebook Ads content for a wide variety of Democratic candidates and organizations — along with other marketing skills, including graphics, press releases, and social media copy.

Kaden is a skilled digital strategist with a background in political organizing, social media, and managing digital fundraising programs. He has raised millions of dollars for Red-to-Blue and frontline candidates through his work with the DCCC, and previously organized for key state and federal races with the Virginia Democratic Party. His career has focused on building winning campaigns and advancing progressive change — both on the ground in Virginia and nationally.

Sophia has experience working with political campaigns and nonprofits to execute digital strategies. She has collaborated closely with clients to develop content plans aimed at achieving fundraising and engagement goals through email and SMS outreach. Additionally, while at Serve America PAC, Sophia supported efforts to elect service-oriented leaders to Congress by assisting with fundraising and communications initiatives.