New Audiences New Communications
Our Capabilities Include:

Public Affairs

We work with organizations, corporations, governments, causes, and campaigns to influence and shape public opinion, driving people to take meaningful action. Our team excels at crisis and reputation management, managing coalitions of all sizes, leading electoral and legislative campaigns, and engaging in urban planning and meaningful public engagement. We have managed campaigns at all levels, achieving success in elections up and down the ballot, passing historic laws, creating movements from the ground up, and leading in urban planning by engaging with Minnesotans on their parks, streets, bridges, and highways, ensuring that our essential communities are involved every step of the way. 

With years of experience, we understand what drives policy, how to win campaigns, and how to authentically engage essential communities in urban planning and design. We excel in constructing well-tailored and multifaceted broad campaigns, protecting and shaping reputations, and managing crises with a campaign mentality.

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Our Public Affairs Capabilities:

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Our Public Affairs Work

Clients & Partners

Our list of clients and partners includes local, state, and national legislative and issue-based campaigns, foundations, nonprofits (501c3 and 501c4), government entities, electoral candidates, independent expenditures, coalitions, and companies. These organizations include:

Who we are

Meet The Public Affairs Team

Edwin Torres DeSantiago

Edwin Torres DeSantiago

Vice President of Public Affairs

Kat Thao

Kat Thao

Public and Legislative Affairs Director

Kathryn Gallo

Kathryn Gallo

Communications and Digital Manager

Austin Stibbe

Austin Stibbe

Public Engagement and Communications Manager

Ivan Torres

Ivan Torres

Urban Planning and Engagement Manager

Sami Banat

Sami Banat

Summer Communications Coordinator

Our Public Affairs Work:

Edwin Torres DeSantiago

Vice President of Public Affairs

Edwin Torres DeSantiago is a seasoned political strategist with over a decade of experience in electoral and issue campaigns at local, state, and national levels. Born in El Salvador and raised in Los Angeles, Edwin became the first in his family to earn a college degree. Known for building authentic relationships and alliances, Edwin has driven historic victories, serving as a key member of the leadership teams behind successful campaigns for prominent Minnesota figures like Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Senator Tina Smith, and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Edwin brings public, nonprofit, and private sector experiences with an organizer mindset.

As Vice President of Public Affairs at NewPublica, Edwin shapes effective legislative and political initiatives. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and will be the first undocumented immigrant and DACA recipient to pursue a Ph.D. there. He serves on several boards, including the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, COPAL MN, FairVote MN, and Good Trouble. Edwin lives in the western metro suburbs with his partner Ricardo and their two Shih Tzus, Snoopy and Mochi.

Kat Thao

Public and Legislative Affairs Director

Expertise: Kat is a compassionate political engager who loves to connect with people and create solutions. She has a background in electoral organizing and community engagement. She has worked on three successful campaigns that helped win elections for Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, US Senator Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. In addition, she has experience working with international high school students with academic success. As a first-generation Hmong American, Kat is goal-oriented, has a drive for advocacy and authentic representation. She hopes to use her experience to bring light to stories that have historically been marginalized and continue to build bridges across communities. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Professional Work: Walz-Flanagan for Minnesota, Tina Smith for Minnesota, Amerigo Education, Keith Ellison for Minnesota Attorney General

Kathryn Gallo

Communications and Digital Manager

Expertise: Kathryn is an experienced communications professional with several years in journalism as a reporter, anchor, and producer. She has worked at major news stations WCCO, CBS Denver, KVRR and in prime cities such as Los Angeles, Denver, Fargo, and Minneapolis. As a detail-oriented storyteller, Kathryn is keen to learn more about people from all walks of life and lived experiences ranging from sports to public health. As the Communications and Digital Manager, Kathryn brings her expertise, passion, and enthusiasm to effectively achieve goals. On her free time, she enjoys exercising, reading, and cooking.

Professional Work:
WCCO, CBS Denver, KVVR, ESPN

Austin Stibbe

Public Engagement and Communications Manager

Expertise: Austin is an experienced communications and engagement professional, who has engaged with inclusive communities and audiences throughout his career and endeavors.

After growing up in Minneapolis, he graduated from Viterbo University in Wisconsin, where he was also the closer on the baseball team- a pursuit which extended into a brief career in independent minor league baseball.

Professional Work: Professionally, Austin has worked on various political campaigns, most recently with the DFL House Caucus as an all-source campaign consultant for state representative candidates, and has experience with engagement, communications, fundraising, policy, and media relations. Additionally, he serves part-time as an Army Officer, is a graduate of Federal Army Officer Candidate School, and currently leads a platoon of truck drivers within the Transportation Corps.”

Ivan Torres

Urban Planning and Engagement Manager

Expertise: Ivan Torres is a dedicated Urban and Regional Planner passionate about design, land use, advocacy and inclusive practices. With a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Bachelors Degrees in Environmental Design and Architecture, Ivan stands out as a professional who has tackled complex urban challenges while simultaneously integrating underrepresented communities in all stages of planning and development. His commitment to the betterment of infrastructure and community is exemplified through his meticulous work as a Foreman for Tor-Ver Hardscapes where he was in charge of designing landscapes, stakeholder relationships, compliance, and managing project budgets. In addition to his robust education and experiences, he is competent in various applications such as GIS applications, Adobe, Rhino 3D, Enscape 3D, STATA, and so much more. Throughout his career, Ivan has proven to be an expert capable of seeing the larger picture without missing key details.

Sami Banat

Summer Communications Coordinator

Expertise: Sami is a political strategist, young professional and recent graduate of Macalester College, where he studied Political Science and Classical History. He has amassed multiple cycles of campaign experience at local, state, and national levels. He has managed, been in leadership, and chaired several successful local campaigns in Saint Paul, including Uriah Ward for School Board, John Choi for Ramsey County Attorney, and two of the recent historic Saint Paul City Council Campaigns. He has also served in numerous local and state leadership roles in the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Sami has gained policy experience interning in the Office of Congresswoman Betty McCollum focusing on human rights issues and foreign affairs, and in the Office of Mayor Melvin Carter working on communications. Sami has an interest both in campaign and official-side work in coalition building to bring people together around important issues. In his academic interests, Sami has pursued research in Lebanon, and is a published scholar in Lebanese constitutionalism and sectarianism. In addition to his astounding achievements, Sami is passionate about college access and sits on the Board of Directors for Breakthrough Twin Cities. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and traveling.

Let’s work together.

We are located at

2909 Bryant Ave S, Suite 301
Minneapolis, MN 55408

We can be contacted at:

612-729-5900

Hamza Ali

Finance and accounting manager

Expertise: Hamza is a results-oriented accounting professional with broad experience in a deadline‑driven environment. He has a proven track record in consistently and effectively delivering accounting services that enhance the company’s purpose and profitability. At NewPublica, Hamza demonstrates his experience in reconciliations, AP/AR, reporting, P&L analysis, and the management of general accounting functions.

Professional Work: Kaah Express, Jones Lang La Salle

Jorge Amerigo

Creative Director

Expertise: Jorge has more than 20 years of experience in the creative process of visual design, including website development, graphic design, branding, photography, and video production. He has worked with a wide range of agencies and organizations, from small businesses to leading non-profits. He has been involved with social projects, the creation of visual campaigns, the development of annual reports, rebrandings, and website creation and redesign. At NewPublica, he creates designs for newspapers, magazines, and social media, as well as builds functional, user-friendly websites. Jorge understands each client’s unique needs and has a passion for projects that generate social impact. Jorge is a wealth of knowledge about design, and his expertise in reaching diverse communities serves NewPublica’s mission to connect to new voices and new audiences.

Professional Work: Latino Communications Network, Jorge Amerigo LLC

Ebelin Morales Delgado

Communications and Digital Media Specialist

Ebelin is a visual arts professional with experience in social media management and sociology. Ebelin brings her passion for creativity and community to each project and utilizes her past experience in grassroots organizing whenever she can. At NewPublica, Ebelin works alongside various organizations to ensure that their marketing goals are understood and that their audience is reached effectively.

Professional Work: American Friends Service Committee

Orion Slocum

Assistant Copy editor

Expertise: Orion loves people and languages. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and German and knows words and phrases in multiple other languages. His unique ability to retain and understand languages is unmatched. At NewPublica, Orion helps review and edit articles for Latino Communications Network publications. He is focused, engaged, and loves working and collaborating with others!

Professional Work: Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), Kaposia.

Sandra Rodriguez

Media Buyer

Expertise: Sandra determines the best course of action and seeks the best solutions for our client’s advertising needs by utilizing her solutions-oriented mindset and interpersonal communication skills. At NewPublica, she executes the purchases of advertisement spaces by understanding clients’ marketing goals and target audiences. She works hard to maintain relationships with a variety of publications to ensure our clients are able to receive the media space they need. Sandra is also in charge of keeping our Latino Communications Network, both online and printed publications, relevant, engaging, and fun.

Professional Work: Latino Communications Network, Pamela Coleman Office of Eurology, Justo Gonzalez Office of Eurology.

Marian Sanchez

Event manager and publisher of newprensa media

Expertise: Marian has over a decade of experience in event planning and managing events producing galas, conferences, festivals, and fashion shows both locally and internationally. She has managed large-scale events, including Taco Tour on Lake Street, Minneapolis Cinco de Mayo, and the Lake Street Festival, attracting thousands of participants. At NewPublica, Marian utilizes her experience in marketing to exceed client expectations of high-impact events execution and community engagement. She also manages the publication, distribution, and interpersonal communication within NewPrensa Media.

Professional Work: Utku LLC, Latino Communications Network, Gente de Minnesota

Luis Moreno

Consultant

Expertise: Luis is a business and community leader with over fifteen years of experience in marketing and strategy in multiple global companies. He has worked in the U.S. and Latin America, creating strategic marketing plans and leading cross-functional teams for successful market introductions. Luis has experience in multiple industries, including manufacturing, food, food service, education, and financial services. He has a passion for talent development and building new team skills and capabilities. Luis has built strong relationships with multiple communities and has collaborated with numerous colleges and universities, schools, and non-profit organizations to create professional opportunities for people from various diverse communities. Luis leads the largest team at NewPublica, ensuring that collaboration, communication, and creativity are at the forefront of each project.

Professional Work: Cummins Engine, Ecolab, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, GE

Carmen Monserrate

Vice President of Business Operations

Expertise: Carmen is a versatile leader and relationship builder with cross-functional, multicultural, and international experience in various industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, government, and hospitality. She has corporate experience in engineering, marketing, operations management, and sales. Carmen has also worked in non-profit team leadership roles focusing on the advancement of communities of color. At NewPublica, her passion for making meaningful connections throughout the community not only shines through in her work but enhances the opportunities for current and future generations.

Professional Work: Xerox Corporation, Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting

Alberto Monserrate

CEO and Co-Founder

Expertise: Alberto is a leading authority on multicultural communications and marketing in Minnesota. As the CEO and co-founder of Latino Communications Network (LCN), now NewPublica, he produced the weekly Spanish newspaper La Prensa de Minnesota and the weekly Spanish publication Vida y Sabor. LCN also operated 24-hour Spanish radio stations 1400 and 1470 AM La Invasora between 2005 and 2013. Alberto is a seasoned expert on marketing to the Latino community and is a regular commentator in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio, and other Minnesota business media. Alberto was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2010, serving as chair from 2012 to 2014. He is the former board chair of Hiawatha Academies, served on the founding boards of KIPP Minnesota and Twin Cities Academy, and served on the board of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association and the advisory editorial board of Minnesota Business Magazine. 

Professional Work: Radisson Hotels International, Ameriprise Financial, Wells Fargo Advisors, Latino Communications Network, Minnesota Senate

Let’s work together.

We are located at

2909 Bryant Ave S, Suite 301
Minneapolis, MN 55408

We can be contacted at:

612-729-5900