Renowned for her extensive network and sharp grasp of California’s always-evolving business, policy and public opinion landscapes, Fiona Hutton built one of the largest and most successful independent public affairs agencies on the West Coast. As CEO, she leads a team of top-tier advisors and specialists known for thriving in complex, high-stakes engagements that tackle California’s toughest issues. A seasoned strategist and natural connector, Fiona’s tenacious and partnership-driven approach to advising clients has become FHA’s trademark. The agency’s track record of results, much sought-after issue expertise and reputation for best-in-class work has fueled consistent growth and attracted an impressive roster of blue-chip clients across every major industry. Under Fiona’s leadership, FHA consistently ranks on PR Week’s Top 10 U.S. Public Affairs Agencies and has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as both a Disruptor and one of its Fastest Growing Companies in the region. Fiona herself is regularly named to Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 most influential figures in California politics and frequently appears as a business entrepreneur and political commentator in statewide and national media.
Affiliations
California Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors; Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Board of Directors; Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Mayor Appointed Commissioner; previously served on the boards of Open California/Capitol Weekly, Valley Industry & Commerce Association, Sacramento Press Club, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the prestigious Page Society.
With over a decade of tenure at FHA, Dagny Ellenberg has designed and led programs that shape how the agency operates today – from embedding with clients and treating their issues like our own to building sophisticated, multi-pronged campaigns that consistently deliver wins. With experience in healthcare, climate resilience and energy, her deep issue expertise is matched by a network of statewide relationships that clients rely on and regularly tap into. Dagny’s sharp focus on performance and commitment to excellence is her trademark, and that same focus guides her leadership of FHA’s team and operations. As Managing Partner, she oversees company policies, people management and recruitment, talent development and mentorship strategies that drive growth for individuals and the agency and evolves FHA’s model to deliver the exceptional client service that sets it apart from competitors.
Kendall Klingler is one of California’s leading legislative and policy advocacy experts. She has successfully steered dozens of clients with controversial challenges through California’s dynamic landscape, securing legislative, regulatory and ballot box victories that tackle the state’s most pressing public safety, technology, labor and business issues. Known for crafting bold, statewide campaigns, she brings clarity, firepower and grit to every engagement. Kendall leverages her Sacramento insights and 360-degree understanding of the political landscape to gain support for issues and projects, pass landmark legislation and statewide ballot measures, and shape public opinion. In her decade plus with FHA, Kendall’s leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have deepened the value FHA provides to clients and helped the agency solidify its position as the most sought-after public affairs firm on the West Coast.
A seasoned public affairs strategist with more than 20 years of experience, Rebecca Nicholas oversees high-stakes communications programs of statewide importance. From large infrastructure to highly localized initiatives, Rebecca has secured environmental approvals, permitting and advanced construction of major transportation, water, climate resilience and natural resources projects. An expert facilitator, Rebecca’s ability to navigate deeply divisive issues to find common ground, build working relationships and produce reasonable solutions is highly sought after. Her clients rely on her for impactful storytelling, proactive positioning on priority issues and insight into California’s nuanced regulatory landscape. Located steps from California’s State Capitol in Sacramento, Rebecca ensures FHA’s clients are consistently tapped into state leaders and policy-makers’ priorities.
Affiliations
PRSA, California Capitol Chapter, Board of Directors; Association of Women in Water, Energy and the Environment, Sacramento Planning Committee, Sacramento Press Club
FHA's Vice President of Finance & Operations, Crystal Bay, has more than 15 years of experience driving financial strategy, leadership across cross-functional teams and key operational improvements for organizations in diverse industries. With a strong history of improving financial controls and implementing sophisticated forecasting models to inform critical decisions, Crystal combines data-driven insights and a hands-on approach to managing client contracting and budgets, ensuring legal and tax compliance, administering employee benefits, implementing new technology and driving financial analysis to support sustainable growth for the team and agency.
As FHA’s corporate communications specialist, Amanda Haig has an accomplished track record of helping organizations increase their visibility, protect their reputation and advance core business objectives, especially within California’s unique political and public opinion environment. She provides counsel on corporate positioning, stakeholder engagement, and issues management, designing campaigns that deepen influence at key junctures ranging from policy battles to restructurings. Having worked across the healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and food and beverage industries, Amanda collaborates closely with clients to understand internal dynamics and align strategies directly with key priorities – an approach that drives value far beyond the scope of traditional communications. Her background also includes work in Washington, D.C., where she contributed to high-impact public affairs campaigns on the national stage.
Affiliations
Valley Industry & Commerce Association, Government Affairs Committee
Alice M. Walton is a veteran strategic communications professional, known for her deep expertise and tenacity in guiding clients through complex regulatory and legislative landscapes. Her ability to thrive under pressure and deliver clarity in high-stakes environments developed during her time as a political reporter for the Los Angeles Times, City News Service and Southern California Public Radio/KPCC. Alice brings a journalist’s precision and storytelling instincts to strategic campaigns, securing impactful media coverage nationally and across California’s many media markets. She served on the Board of Directors for the Greater L.A. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for 12 years, including two stints as president. Through every engagement, Alice demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing client goals and creating lasting, meaningful change.
Affiliations
Women Communicators of Austin, Board of Directors; Leadership Austin Emerge Class of 2021
Specializing in thought leadership, media relations and reputation management, Melanie combines key relationships and industry expertise to elevate organizations and their leaders around the issues that matter most. A skilled project manager, she builds industry-leading programs that integrate earned media strategies with speaking engagements, podcasts and owned content to produce measurable results for clients in healthcare and public safety. From interviews with top reporters to keynotes on nationally renowned stages, Melanie’s relentless approach and thoughtful planning ensures clients breakthrough to demonstrate their impact and strengthen their profile here in California and beyond.
Jordan Burns blends her experience in the public and private sector to help clients tell compelling stories and build meaningful relationships. She leads communications planning, stakeholder engagement and outreach strategies, with a focus on bilingual outreach that ensures inclusive, effective engagement. With a strong background in media relations, Jordan knows how to plan and execute press events, coach spokespeople, land earned coverage and build social strategies that enhance traditional media. She also guides clients through crisis situations – supporting trainings to prepare teams in advance and offering real-time counsel when challenges do arise. Her work spans a range of issues including environmental policy, healthcare, education, land-use and economic development. Whether she’s helping clients navigate complex projects or elevate their regional impact, Jordan brings a thoughtful approach to every engagement.
Affiliations
Regional Advisory Council for LAist, Los Angeles’ largest NPR station
Evan’s ability to craft clear, compelling messaging around even the most nuanced issues, helps advance projects in California’s most complex and highly regulated industries. With a background in natural resources, public and investor-owned utilities, water and energy development, Evan builds diverse coalitions of support, launches statewide newsletters that reach hundreds of stakeholders and oversees the development of policy platforms, issue briefs, fact sheets, infographics and social content. An expert at becoming an expert, Evan’s commitment to learning the policy landscape and key players that impact each of his clients embody FHA’s substance over surface ethos that clients have come to expect and rely on.
An experienced campaign professional, Julia Connolly helps lead FHA’s clients through the twist and turns of Los Angeles’ political and policy world. She brings extensive cross-sector relationships to the table – enabling her to facilitate meaningful engagement between stakeholders that drive client’s initiatives in the highly competitive region. She executes outreach strategies, leads the production of print and digital assets and engages local media to land stories and shape press coverage. In addition, she brings a background in grassroots organizing for competitive Congressional campaigns throughout Southern California, with extensive experience mobilizing field operations and volunteer engagement for broad coalitions. She is an alumnus of Coro Southern California’s Women in Leadership Program, a highly-regarded leadership development program for professional women in Southern California.
Affiliations
Coro Southern California; Women In Leadership Cohort 10
Max supports multi-faceted public affairs campaigns with a focus on media relations and thought leadership execution. With a keen eye for media trends, knowledge of California’s policy landscape and diverse reporter relationships, Max carefully tracks industry coverage, provides expert analysis for clients and identifies opportunities to land stories and secure speaking engagements at the state and national level. He regularly develops fact sheets, newsletters and persuasive media materials and is known for building sophisticated media and stakeholder engagement trackers that demonstrate outcomes and arm the team with metrics.
Affiliations
PRSA Los Angeles, Emerging Professionals Committee
As an Account Coordinator, Alexa Horwitz assists a range of clients across sectors such as technology, public safety and natural resources. She contributes to the development of strategic communications materials by building targeted media lists, monitoring press coverage, studying social media trends, assembling coalition databases, and compiling timely research to inform newsletters, press releases, and stakeholder outreach. With her efficiency and attention to detail, Alexa keeps FHA’s clients ahead of key developments and armed with the resources essential to success.
As Executive Assistant at FHA, Matthew Gearhart excels in leadership support, culture and marketing – directly supporting the agency’s Founder/CEO and partners. With a talent for fostering collaboration, enhancing employee engagement, and orchestrating impactful team trainings and events, he contributes to a thriving, positive workplace culture – cascading the values and expectations of senior leadership throughout the agency. Matthew coordinates FHA’s thought leadership programming, sponsorships, community investments and event participation. He is responsible for day-to-day executive support, coordinating and prepping client meetings, new business presentations and internal gatherings and educational workshops.
With more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Ariana brings an understanding of fast-paced, high-demand environments to her role. As FHA’s Office Manager, Ariana is FHA’s operational ambassador to clients, colleagues, vendors and external partners. She manages complex schedules, organizes meetings and events, and serves as a daily bridge to the outside world. Within FHA, Ariana ensures the team is equipped with the best technology, equipment and resources, and focused on operational efficiency. Her strengths include developing scalable systems, managing workplace operations, and producing clear, effective business correspondence.
Alejandra Kincheloe is an experienced bookkeeper with a demonstrated history of maintaining accurate financial records and implementing efficient and seamless billing interfaces for FHA’s client portfolio. She is skilled in managing accounts payable/receivable, payroll and financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with accounting principles, implementation of best practices and adoption of new technology. Alejandra’s expertise and strong interest in technological advancements enables her to analyze large volumes of financial data and streamline processes for greater efficiency. Highly organized and detail-oriented, she consistently delivers precise and reliable financial support to the agency.