Strategic communications for moments of consequence.
Stamina Strategies is a high-impact strategic communications and public affairs firm specializing in mission-driven public affairs; advocacy and litigation communications; crisis management and rapid response; and executive support for leaders and organizations.
Built with a trusted bench of senior specialists, Stamina Strategies brings strategy, messaging, media, digital, and execution together for leaders, advocacy organizations, and public interest campaigns facing high pressure, high risk, and high attention moments.
Trusted counsel when the stakes are high.
When the goals are ambitious and the work is complex, proven experience and sound judgment make the difference.
Melissa Schwartz founded Stamina Strategies to help mission-driven organizations build communications that move people, influence decision-makers, and deliver results.
Drawing on 30 years of experience at the intersection of communications, public policy, law, and advocacy, Melissa has advised Cabinet secretaries, nonprofit executives, lawyers, political leaders, and national coalitions through moments of extraordinary opportunity and extraordinary risk. She has built communications functions from the ground up, led crisis response for nationally significant initiatives and events, directed complex advocacy campaigns, and helped organizations turn ambitious goals into compelling public narratives.
Stamina Strategies is built on the belief that the best communications combine senior strategic judgment with practical execution. For each unique client need, we assemble the best and most experienced team – from strategic counsel, messaging, and media relations, to digital strategy, bilingual communications, and rapid response – for organizations that are building movements, changing policies, and navigating pivotal moments.
Clients come to Stamina for experienced leadership, and stay for the thoughtful and collaborative partnership.
Learn more about Melissa hereWhere Stamina Strategies does its best.
From rollout development and digital execution to rapid response and principal management, Stamina Strategies is built to meet leaders and their teams at whatever point the communications challenge begins.
Strategic and Advocacy Communications
Shape public narratives and strategies that connect people with policy, and help organizations galvanize and move support where it matters.
Crisis Management and Rapid Response
Bring order, empathy, message discipline, media management, and stakeholder communications to moments moving too fast for improvisation.
Digital Strategy and Implementation
Develop creator engagement, paid and social strategies, digital content, and the execution systems needed to keep pace with modern communications demands.
Principal and Executive Support
Support leaders navigating visibility, pressure, and responsibility with senior-level counsel, preparation, and diverse communication strategies.
Media, Hearing, and Event Preparation
Prepare and support clients for interviews, testimony, public appearances, and high-stakes moments where tone, clarity, and confidence matter.
Litigation and Oversight Communications
Provide disciplined and strategic communications and thoughtful counsel for legally sensitive or reputationally complex work, in and out of the courtroom.
Senior strategy. Practical execution. Support beyond one news cycle.
Stamina Strategies is built for clients who do not need more noise; they need clear recommendations based on sound judgment, the right team, and a partner who stays engaged after the first burst of attention fades.
Read the Moment
We assess the situation, players, risks, opportunities, and communications realities facing each client to avoid reacting too quickly.
Draw the Line
We identify the right message, tone, guardrails, and stakeholders so the work moves with clarity. This includes aligning on the role that leaders want to have, and when, in the process.
Build the Team
Melissa will always lead the strategy, but she brings in the right mix of communications, media, digital, and execution support for the opportunity or challenge at hand.
Steady Partnership
We work collaboratively with clients to ensure constant visibility into operations. At every stage, the client is the driver on implementation of the strategy we build together.
Stay through the Marathon
We help clients move beyond the immediate moment and emerge stronger, while also being available to transition into the longer-term work of maintaining credibility and momentum.
When it's a marathon, not a sprint, you need Stamina.
Whether you need strategic counsel, rapid response, or a team that can help carry the work forward, let's start the conversation.