DCI Group adds six new hires across client services, digital, and strategic communications. Aug 12, 2026, 08:00 ET Six new team members join the firm's client services, digital, and strategic communications teams. WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - DCI Group today announced the addition of six new professionals across its client services, digital, and strategic communications teams. The hires mark continued growth for the firm and reinforce its ability to deliver public affairs campaigns, strategic counsel, and communications support for clients across a range of industries. "Our clients look to us for strategic counsel, execution, and measurable results," said Justin Peterson and Brian McCabe, Managing Partners at DCI Group. "That starts with the people on our team. We are pleased to welcome these new hires and to keep building the firm around talent that is committed to execution and to our clients' success." The new hires are Patrick Hynes, Chloe Kerpius, Elizabeth Trubeck, Landon Self, Sophia Sfiroudis, and Lucy Preston. Each joins DCI Group as part of the firm's public affairs and communications practice. Patrick Hynes, Account Executive Patrick joins DCI Group's client services team with a background in energy and environmental policy. He most recently served as a fellow at ConservAmerica, and has also worked at The American Conservation Coalition, Young Voices, and Hogan Lovells. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Southern Methodist University and is originally from McLean, Virginia. Chloe Kerpius, Account Manager, Digital Chloe joins DCI Group's Digital team from Fidelity Investments, where she worked on the Enterprise Talent Marketing and Employer Brand team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in General Business from Miami University, and is originally from Wayne, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth Trubeck, Account Associate Elizabeth joins DCI Group after interning at the Washington Business Journal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Journalism from Washington and Lee University and is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Landon Self, Account Associate Landon joins DCI Group after interning in the U.S. House of Representatives and serving as Deputy Campaign Manager for Texas State Representative Caroline Harris. He graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, where he served as Student Body President. He is originally from Austin, Texas. Sophia Sfiroudis, Account Associate Sophia joins DCI Group after interning at BGR Group and the Council on Foreign Relations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and is from Long Island, New York. Lucy Preston, Account Associate Lucy joins DCI Group after interning at DGA Group and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Art History from Colby College and is originally from New York, New York. About DCI Group DCI is a bipartisan public affairs and strategic communications firm specializing in government relations, executive communications, crisis management, coalition building, lobbying, and public affairs. SOURCE DCI GROUP AZ, L.L.C.

Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises to join Council on Foreign Relations. By Lilly Behbehani The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is pleased to welcome Sonja Brookins Santelises as vice president, senior fellow, and director of the Richard Haass Center for Education. Dr. Santelises will start on Tuesday, September 8, based in Washington, D.C. Established in June 2025, the Richard Haass Center for Education will centralize and expand the reach of CFR's educational work, enhancing CFR Education's creation of best-in-class educational resources that are widely and readily available to educators and learners in secondary and postsecondary classrooms across the country. Importantly, in this fraught political moment, the center will also equip educators to teach their students about global affairs through civil discourse and respectful dialogue. "I am delighted to welcome Sonja to the Council," said CFR President Michael Froman. "Her expertise in public education and civic leadership will strengthen CFR's mission to promote informed discussions of the world's most consequential issues. She brings the same dedication to expanding access, building institutional capacity, and fostering civil discourse that defined her decade of transformative leadership to the Richard Haass Center for Education." A nationally recognized leader and educator, Dr. Santelises has spent her career advancing educational opportunities and championing academic excellence for all young people. At CFR, she will lead the Richard Haass Center for Education, overseeing the CFR's education initiatives and efforts to promote civil discourse and global learning in secondary and postsecondary classrooms across the country. "I could not be more excited to join CFR and the Haass Center team with its expanding focus on civil discourse and global affairs literacy. This work aligns with my passion and desire to equip educators and students with the tools and spaces to engage in rigorous and thoughtful learning," said Dr. Santelises. "I look forward to sharing my experience while enhancing my own knowledge base in this important work." Most recently, Dr. Santelises served for a decade as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, becoming the district's longest-serving leader since 1946. During her tenure, she led one of the nation's largest and most complex school systems, overseeing a $1.9 billion annual budget while building strategic partnerships with national philanthropic and civic organizations to expand opportunities for students. During her tenure, the district reduced the number of low-performing schools, increased students' access to high-quality learning resources, and secured significant investments in school infrastructure. Dr. Santelises also serves as the superintendent in residence at the Yale School of Management's Broad Center, where she leads content facilitation for the Fellowship for Public Education Leadership cohort. Dr. Santelises was named the Maryland Superintendent of the Year by the Public School Superintendents' Association of Maryland and received the John Hope Alumni Award from Brown University. She was a finalist for the School Superintendents Association's 2026 Superintendent of the Year Award and named one of Maryland's Most Admired CEOs by the Maryland Daily Record. Dr. Santelises was the chair of the Council of the Great City Schools, which gathers eighty-two of the nation's largest urban public school systems in a coalition dedicated to the improvement of education for children in inner cities. She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA from Columbia University, and an EdD from Harvard University.