My Approach
If we work together, a few things will be true from day one:
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I'm genuinely into your project. I'm not big into lukewarm, and if I'm not the right fit, I'll have told you up front.
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We're keeping it fun. It makes for a better creative space, and life is too short to do anything else.
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My brain is a two-way street. I think out loud, iterate, and do my best work when you push back on my first draft. In turn, bring your half-formed ideas and gut reactions - that's where the magic happens.
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I'll sweat the details and deadlines so you don't have to. You should never have to wonder whether something is getting done.
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I'll be candid. Washington often runs on polite, useless ambiguity. I'd rather give you the useful version early and often (and I think you'll want that, too).
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I'll keep it simple. I won't hand you a 60-page deck when a two-pager will do (unless that's what your target audience needs!).
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The name "Gralia" comes from my kids (Graham and Aurelia). It's corny, effective, and carries my complete and utter dedication, which is a great overall capture of my approach.
Strategic Planning
Why this:Â Most strategic plans end up on someone's book shelf, because they're not intended to be actionable or guiding. A truly good one transcends the moment and gives you and your team something to strive towards.Â
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Why me: I've been on both sides of the table, building strategy for institutions and then having to execute it. I also know how to navigate complex team dynamics, build deliverables for specific audiences, and put your timeline against a "how to" guide to get you results grounded in a theory of change you actually believe in.
Crisis Simulations
Why this: Crisis simulation, table-top exercise, wargame - whatever the name, these activities can be as insightful as they are entertaining and memorable. They can also be cheap ways to explore gaps in your decision-making well before trouble arrives at your front door.Â
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Why me: I've built scenarios of all types anywhere from 1-2 hours in length to full-day activities. I specialize in particularly creative and interactive sessions, built from the ground up around the experience you're hoping to have, the expertise in the room, and ultimately your definition of success.
Navigating DC (for individuals)
Why this:Â Breaking into the DC policy world can feel like everyone else got a manual you didn't. That's certainly how it felt for me. Thankfully, much of it is easily learned once you have a guide to what's worth knowing: how to embrace your early anonymity, how to say yes to things, and how to manage both your time and integrity.
Why me: I've mentored dozens upon dozen of individuals across the past decade and am proud of the success I've witnessed those individuals achieve. I focus on a mindset I cultivated early in my own introduction to Washington and provide practical steps and hands-on support to make sure your resume, cover letter, and most importantly - personal narrative - stand above the competition.
Navigating DC (for institutions)
Why this:Â Whether it's a study trip or brick-and-mortar facility, DC programs are a dime a dozen these days. Make sure your investment, staffing, and initiatives are unique, high-impact, and delivers for your #1 audience: your students.
Why me: Close relationships with my alma maters have translated into interactions and support to educational institutions both domestic and abroad, and I have a keen eye for how to help prepare students and programs practically differentiate themselves, form useful partnerships, and more as they invest in the DC region.
Communications Support
Why this:Â Complex work is hard to explain, and a fuzzy story costs you funding, allies, and attention. Good communications means finding the one clear thing you're trying to say, to the right people, at the right moment.
Why me:Â I've written hundreds of speeches, op-eds, and institutional messaging for senior leaders, and I'm good at turning dense policy into something a busy or distracted person will read. I also strive to write in a real voice tailored to the individual messenger, not committee prose or consultant-speak.
General Project Support
Why this:Â Important work stalls when nobody owns the decisions, follow-through, or timelines. Sometimes what you need is a capable person who keeps things moving and flags problems early, as well as a healthy does of political and stakeholder needs.
Why me:Â I've successfully run numerous cross-organizational initiatives where nobody reported to me and everyone had a competing priority. Often, every key stakeholder was senior and more experienced than me, and orchestrating their priorities and needs was half the battle. Above all else, keeping people, deadlines, and details aligned and enthusiastic is one of my core strengths.