Our Team
Jennifer Kaplan
CEO/President
Jennifer Kaplan founded Evolve Public Relations and Marketing in 2010, driven by the goal of connecting with her clients to understand and meet their needs. She brings years of start-up experience, dating back to 2005, when she co-founded PRIME 3, LLC. A Phoenix native, Jennifer prides herself on knowing the dynamics of the Valley and the deep-rooted relationships she has established. She has received numerous awards including the Inaugural Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Alumni of the Year Award (2022), Phoenix Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award, and recognition among “The Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” by AZ Business Magazine. Jennifer has a degree in public relations from Arizona State University and is always cheering on the Sun Devils.
Jennifer also enjoys spending time with her new family and finding ways to support the community. Yoga is her favorite outlet.
Liz Renninger
Vice President
With more than a decade of PR experience, Liz Renninger has had the opportunity to help tell countless stories with the clients she has worked with. A graduate from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University, prior to her career in PR, Liz worked as a reporter at New Mexico NBC affiliate KOB-TV. Her expertise and passion for what she does every day can be seen in the work that she does with her clients and the relationships she has with the media. She also helps oversee the day-to-day operations of the business, supporting other account managers at Evolve. Liz is also a recipient of The Arizona Republic “Who’s Next?” Award for young communication professionals.
A Phoenix native, The Valley of the Sun is home for Liz and her husband, Justin, and their two beautiful daughters, Bella and Mia.
Anthony Farinacci
Chief Operating Officer
Anthony Farinacci spent nearly 28 years in law enforcement, including five years as Deputy Sheriff in Tucson and 23 years as an Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his tenure with the FBI, Anthony performed a myriad of investigative duties including drug trafficking organizations, public corruption, terrorism, and public/private partnership engagement. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Grand Canyon University and an MBA from the University of Arizona. Now retired from the FBI, Anthony brings his leadership, management, and extensive experience working with the private sector to Evolve.
Anthony enjoys being back home in Phoenix, where he can spend time with his daughter, family and take-in the Arizona weather.
Claire Natale
Director
Claire Natale brings a diverse perspective to the PR team. She earned a master’s degree in food studies from New York University, but after starting her post-college career as a Registered Dietician, she quickly realized she was more interested in food communication than nutrition. So, she began working in public relations in New York City with some of the industry’s best chefs, food writers, and interior designers. With more than 12 years of PR experience Claire loves connecting with clients and the media to share memorable and informative stories. Claire also works closely with the team to train and provide support where needed.
A Cleveland native, Claire moved to Phoenix in 2014 and loves immersing herself in the local food, hospitality, and event scene.
Cassidy Adams
Executive Assistant
Cassidy earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University. Originally from Northern California, she has proudly called Arizona home since the age of four. With a strong track record as an executive assistant, Cassidy brings extensive experience in supporting senior leadership and high-performing teams. In previous roles, she provided administrative and operational support to ten account executives at a leading accounting firm. In this role, she coordinated multi-leg travel, prepared and reconciled expense reports, and oversaw document execution. Beyond traditional administrative tasks, Cassidy excels in streamlining processes, prioritizing competing demands, and ensuring seamless communication across stakeholders. Her ability to anticipate needs, maintain confidentiality, and optimize workflows makes her an invaluable partner in driving organizational efficiency and executive productivity. Outside the office, Cassidy enjoys attending live sporting events, exploring new coffee spots, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Liesl Babicka
Senior Account Manager
An Arizona native, Liesl earned her bachelor’s degree in sports journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She also received minors in Tourism Management and Special Events Management from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Upon graduation, she secured a Graduate Assistant position at Sun Devil Athletics as a public relations representative for multiple men’s and women’s NCAA DI sports programs. While a full-time Sports Information Director, Liesl attained her master’s in sports law & business from the Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law & Business program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law from ASU. As a public relations professional, Liesl is enthusiastic about creating brand awareness for clients and connecting community members with local businesses, restaurants and/or events.
In her free time, Liesl loves attending live sporting events, traveling to unfamiliar places, exploring new restaurants, going for a run, practicing yoga, watching documentaries and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Kaylin Alexandra Dunnett
Senior Account Manager
Kaylin Dunnett earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism with a public relations focus from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. A voracious reader with a love for telling stories that captivate, Kaylin knew she wanted to be a writer from a young age. Her work has been featured in a variety of Arizona publications, including The Daily Independent, the Glendale Star, North Central News and The State Press. Her favorite pieces (to both write and read) center around unconventional angles and thought-provoking topics. In the field of public relations, Kaylin enjoys crafting ‘out-of-the-box’ narratives that spark curiosity and showcase a client’s most positive attributes.
Kaylin is conversational in Japanese and uses her language skills to connect with a diverse audience both in and outside of the office. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, photography, exploring alternative fashion and caring for her beloved two dogs and cat.
Katelyn Dyer
Account Manager
An Arizona native, Katelyn graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University with a B.A. in journalism and a focus in public relations. She also holds a sales and marketing certificate from the W.P. Carey School of Business. Having lived and worked in the Phoenix market, Katelyn brings extensive agency experience and a passion for storytelling. She has secured client coverage with a variety of major outlets and worked with clients across multiple industries.
Katelyn blends public relations and influencer marketing expertise with strategic storytelling to drive media coverage and audience engagement. She builds authentic talent partnerships and to amplify brand messaging across platforms. In her free time, she enjoys trying new local restaurants and coffee shops, attending concerts with friends, hitting the gym and spending time with family.
Kaylee Erickson
Account Manager
Kaylee graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and
a double minor in Public Relations and Community Innovation. Having worked in the PR
industry since her Sophomore year at UofA, she has worked with clients across various
industries such as fashion, beauty, tech, cannabis, and more. Some of her favorite client wins
include working with the Kelly Clarkson Show, doing a client activation at the Grammy’s, and
facilitating product drop offs to artists like PartyNextDoor, Train, All American Rejects, etc.
As an Arizona native, Kaylee enjoys spending her time playing pickleball, hiking, and enjoying
concerts that come through the Phoenix area. In true, Phoenician fashion, she is the proud
owner of a fur baby named Booker (yes, like Devin).
Chris Fahrendorf III
Senior Account Manager
Chris Fahrendorf, a proud Arizona native, earned his B.A. in sports journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, graduated from Barrett, The Honors College and received a sales and marketing essentials certificate from the W. P. Carey School of Business while at Arizona State University. Due to his agency experience, Chris is skilled at working with clients across all industries. He thrives on developing media strategies that secure impactful coverage across radio, television, print, and digital platforms, ranging from brand launches and grand openings to bylined articles and award submission opportunities. Prior to his agency work, Chris was a contributing writer for the Times Media Group and its 15+ Arizona brands.
Outside of work, Chris can be found spending time with his family and friends, trying new restaurants, watching movies and attempting to enjoy whatever Suns, Cardinals or ASU game is on that day.
Grace Fuerte
Senior Account Manager
Grace Fuerte graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in communications. As a Phoenix native, Grace has a deep love for everything in the desert, particularly Arizona’s sports teams. She has experience working with various agencies in the valley and her passion for writing has secured her clients opportunities with major national outlets. Grace uses both her strong story telling skills and her love for public relations to land her clients the media attention they are seeking.
In her free time, you can catch Grace outside on a patio with her friends and dog, Finley.
Amber Godbehere
Senior Account Manager
As a sixth generation Arizonan, Amber Godbehere is proud of her roots and loves supporting local businesses that are truly making an impact in our community. Amber is an ASU alumnus, as she earned both a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Arizona State University. Amber has worked in diverse public relations roles for both in-house companies and various agencies. As a public relations professional, Amber works to create strong and meaningful communication messages to positively showcase a brand’s desired image.
During her free time, Amber enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing a friendly game of golf, going shopping, and taking her three dogs on walks. She also likes yoga, traveling, dance, and photography.
Jennifer Howard
Senior Account Manager
Jennifer Howard is a Senior Account Manager at Evolve PR & Marketing, where she helps clients share their most important work with the media and the community. With more than a decade of experience spanning publishing, marketing, and public relations, she brings a thoughtful approach to strategy, relationship-building, and earned media. Jennifer is dedicated to securing high-impact opportunities that amplify her clients’ voices and strengthen connections with media, audiences, and stakeholders.
Alexis Huerter
Account Manager & Influencer Relations Manager
Alexis graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a B.A. in journalism and mass communication at Arizona State University. With storytelling being a passion of hers, she has experience working with local and national clients that represent multiple industries, including fashion, lifestyle, health, music and non-profits. Alexis works closely with media and various writers, securing press coverage for her clients in multiple publications as well as broadcast. Alexis has a passion to help produce strategic messaging that will positively impact organizations, communities and consumers.
Outside of work, Alexis enjoys exercising, traveling, catching up on pop culture and visiting new restaurants and coffee shops around the area. She also loves to hang out with her friends and Bernedoodle, Waldo.
Maryia Jimenez
Senior Account Manager
Maryia Jimenez graduated from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications. With over six years of experience and counting in public relations, Maryia has worked across a wide range of industries, including interior design, fashion, technology, health and wellness, and hospitality. She brings a passion for storytelling and a strategic approach to securing meaningful opportunities for her clients in top national and local outlets.
Beyond her PR career, Maryia is deeply interested in educating herself and others about living a non-toxic lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, creating new dishes for her husband, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Tango.
Kwyn Lowe
Senior Account Executive
A Montana-native, Kwyn Johnson came to Arizona on an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Arizona State University. Two years into her collegiate career she also became a member of the newly sanctioned beach volleyball team while earning a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s in sports law & business. Before graduating, she secured a position with the Vegas Golden Knights as their first Communication & Content Intern, establishing her love for public relations. Since then, she’s worked in the Phoenix valley managing public relations and marketing efforts across industries.
When she’s not working, Kwyn enjoys being outdoors, hiking, paddle boarding, exploring new places and reading by the pool.
Emma Mannal
Senior Account Manager
In her role as Senior Account Manager, Emma combines her creativity and strategic mindset to help clients share their stories and make an impact. Her work spans a wide range of industries, from nonprofits making a difference in their communities and nationally recognized restaurant brands to trailblazers in the tech and mental health fields.
With expertise across both local and national markets, Emma specializes in elevating her clients’ voices through strategic media placements and compelling brand storytelling. She also brings extensive experience in social media strategy. Emma thrives on building lasting relationships with both her clients and the media, ensuring that every client, no matter the size or sector, receives the visibility they deserve.
At the heart of Emma’s work is a commitment to championing causes, brands, and ideas that truly matter.
Tessa Manning
Account Manager
Tessa, a proud Texas native, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration. With a strong foundation in communications and a passion for helping brands craft and share their unique stories, she brings valuable experience in public relations and social media across a range of industries, including non-profits, restaurants, and corporate clients. With a creative mindset and a drive for the best results, she brings campaigns to life that resonate across different audience groups.
Outside of work, Tessa enjoys exploring new restaurants and discovering fun activities around the Valley and is often accompanied by a book while relaxing outdoors. She’s also an avid sports fan and loves traveling to places on her bucket list – whether it’s catching a game or immersing herself in a different culture, she’s always up for an adventure.
Megan Moore
Account Manager
Megan has worked both locally and nationally with more than fifty clients in freelance, in-house and agency environments. She understands their various industries and actively listens to their needs. She approaches each situation from multiple perspectives while leveraging her inherent curiosity and dynamic experience to help clients achieve effective media strategies, meaningful coverage and lasting impact. Megan’s experience spans diverse industries, most notably the arts, fashion, film production, entertainment, education and nonprofits.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts specialized in Public Relations.
Outside of her profession, Megan enjoys spending time in nature and sunshine, traveling and discovering new hiking trails, exploring art museums, expanding her music taste and delving into philosophy
Ivana L. Morales
Senior Account Executive
Ivana Morales views public relations as a platform to learn about different people, products, and events. Born in Uruguay, she lived in Brazil and New Jersey before moving to Arizona and earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University. Fluent in Spanish and conversational in French and American Sign Language, Ivana finds power with words and has been published in several newspapers and magazines including the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Business Journal.
Outside of work, Ivana enjoys exploring different restaurants across the Valley, watching movies of any genre, and easily getting lost in any book.
Kendal O'Connor
Senior Account Manager
A longtime Arizona resident and graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kendal brings a decade of strategic expertise in public relations and influencer marketing to the team. Her experience spans both agency and in-house roles across a broad range of sectors including food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, tech, tourism and hospitality. In 2023, Kendal received a Clio Award for her role in orchestrating a brand partnership with the Barbie movie, her most cherished project to date.
Outside the office, Kendal can be found perusing the aisles of Sephora, tackling interior design projects and binge-watching documentaries. She shares her home with a spirited Australian shepherd, Beau, and a senior cat, Tallulah, who runs the household.
Aly Pillar
Senior Account Manager
As a Senior Account Manager, Aly combines her creativity, strategic mindset, and love for storytelling to bring key exposure and brand awareness for clients. An Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, she has supported a wide range of clients across diverse industries ranging from nonprofits to nationally recognized restaurant brands and leaders in real estate and entertainment.
With expertise in brand storytelling, media relations, and marketing strategy, Aly is dedicated to securing coverage that resonates and creates lasting visibility. She values strong relationships with both clients and media partners, ensuring every brand she supports gets the spotlight it deserves.
Passionate about championing causes and ideas that matter, Aly approaches each project with energy and purpose. When she’s not working, you can find her traveling or enjoying Phoenix’s vibrant dining scene.
Hayley Ringle
Senior Account Manager
Hayley is a seasoned public relations manager and journalist with over 25 years of experience. In the PR world, Hayley led PR and communications for a Scottsdale-based tech company, managing media relations and messaging for its five company divisions and several of its nationwide clients. As an experienced and award-winning journalist in metro Phoenix, she’s covered everything from trials, restaurant features, and school districts, to breaking news, city politics, and technology companies. Hayley spent over 20 years working for the Daily News-Sun, East Valley Tribune, the Arizona Republic, and the Phoenix Business Journal. Before her professional career, she had written for every school newspaper since the 6th grade.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from Arizona State University’s prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
When she’s not writing or strategizing, you’ll usually find Hayley dancing or singing along to live music, watching arthouse, foreign, or horror movies, or ogling at abstract, modern, or unique art at museums. She also likes digging through crates at record stores, playing ping pong, and competing in adult Spelling Bees.
Aspen Stanton
Senior Account Executive & Head of Influencer Relations
Aspen Stanton is passionate about helping brands share their stories in authentic and impactful ways. As Senior Account Executive at Evolve PR and Marketing, she leads client campaigns across a variety of industries, blending strong media relations skills with creative strategies that drive measurable results. Known for her collaborative approach and eye for detail, Aspen loves building lasting relationships while helping clients grow.
In her role as Head of Influencer Relations, Aspen develops and manages influencer programs from the ground up, identifying the right partnerships, nurturing talent relationships, and amplifying brand stories across digital platforms. She believes that every brand has a story worth telling and thrives on connecting it with the audiences who need to hear it most.
Outside of work, Aspen enjoys spending time with her dachshund, Shadow.
Krista Tillman
Senior Account Executive
Krista Tillman is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, and Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. Krista has been on the Evolve team for over four years and has worked with clients in various industries such as commercial, residential, and multifamily real estate, events, nonprofits, and more. Additionally, she has worked in markets across the U.S.
As an active Arizona native, she enjoys trips to scenic spots around the state, hiking, yoga, running and tennis.
Kelly Walsh
Senior Account Manager
Kelly Walsh is an accomplished publicist with more than 15 years of experience working in music and entertainment holding in-house roles at major record labels as well as working independently with boutique firms. Throughout her career, Walsh has collaborated on campaigns for some of the top acts in rock and metal including Megadeth, Godsmack, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, The Verve Pipe, and Extreme—just to name a few. She has coordinated press for several events including Mike Tyson’s KIND Festival, Mayhem Festival, and ZONA Festival. She proudly handled PR for novelists, delved into the craft beer industry and has launched national campaigns for various high-profile liquor brands.
Originally from a small town in WNY, Walsh has lived in London and Los Angeles, moving to Phoenix in 2021. In her free time, Walsh enjoys going to concerts, paddleboarding, horseback riding, rug tufting, and all things spooky.
Brooklynn Doren
Account Manager
Brooklynn Doren graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She has experience working with clients across lifestyle, fashion, events, nonprofits, and emerging brands, and has coordinated brand activations at major award shows and industry events.
Brooklynn develops strategic media pitches and messaging designed to secure meaningful press coverage across digital, print, and broadcast outlets. She enjoys working closely with clients and media to bring ideas to life and create opportunities that highlight the work and mission behind each brand.
Outside of work, Brooklynn enjoys traveling to new cities, exploring local coffee shops, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the Arizona sunshine.
Judy Kernen
Account Manager
Judy Kernen is a graduate of Arizona State University’s renowned Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where she built a strong foundation in journalism and public relations through academic and professional experiences. An Arizona native, Judy is committed to uplifting local businesses and communities through impactful storytelling, strategic messaging, and communications rooted in trust and genuine connection.
Before transitioning into strategic communications, Judy worked as a reporter for Times Media Group, covering hard news, business, and nonprofit stories. As a contributor to the East Valley Tribune newspapers, she reported on a variety of industries, including hospitality, entertainment, and business, serving communities throughout Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Ahwatukee, and Queen Creek.
Outside of work, Judy loves keeping up with all things entertainment, indulging in creative art projects, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
