Jessica Sarstedt is a seasoned communications professional and former journalist who has built her career crafting compelling narratives about complex issues that break through the crowded media landscape. She has a long track record of helping her clients achieve their advocacy goals by building and implementing unique and creative communications strategies. Drawing on her background in broadcast journalism and deep knowledge of international affairs, Ms. Sarstedt supports clients with brand and message development, visibility events, thought leadership, earned media and pitching, paid traditional and digital media, executive profile-raising, and overall strategy. Most recently a partner at West End Strategy Team, she partnered with intergovernmental organizations, advocacy campaigns, foundations, and mission-driven corporations to impact public policy and shape public opinion by building coalitions and launching winning earned media strategies to drive coverage where it counts. Her work has led to increased wages for workers in D.C., Mich., and Minn. and guaranteed access to reproductive healthcare for all in Ohio. Ms. Sarstedt spent several years working for international and cable broadcast news outlets, including for Al Jazeera America, where she coordinated large-scale special events during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. Ms. Sarstedt got her start in news in the Middle East, working in Cairo and Dubai. She holds a master’s degree in international human rights law from The American University in Cairo and a bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in economics, from The George Washington University.
