for good is our why.
Since 1985.
SteegeThomson is a marketing, communications, and branding agency serving the non-profit world. We help mission-driven organizations strengthen reputations, change minds and behavior, and gain philanthropic support. We do this through inclusive research, insight-driven strategies, and brilliant storytelling.
We help build a more open, resilient and optimistic world.
We don’t cure cancer, or reduce carbon emissions, or pull people out of poverty. But the work we do is essential to all these urgent tasks and many more. Because our work is so important, we approach it with great care and significant joy.
So we:
Lead with listening, because every voice matters to us.
Craft unforgettable, consequential stories and strategies.
Define sustainability as solutions that are adaptable, replicable, and affordable.
Work side by side and hand in hand with our clients, forming career-long professional partnerships.
Our expertise becomes your expertise.
We complete your team – bridging gaps, improving practice, and bringing creative and practical perspectives to key conversations.
brand + strategy
A brand is the promise you make to the world, and strategy is how you enact it. We think about your brand organically and holistically, and help match how you look, what you say, and what you do with your highest aspirations. When people’s experience of your brand aligns with your strategic purpose, that’s a powerful and authentic place to be. We help clients across sectors understand and express who they are.
PR + Visibility
To build influence, you must first build trust. We gather the evidence to shape your story, prepare you to tell it, and identify the vehicles that will make your voice heard. Our team blends decades of journalism and PR experience with proactive and responsive service. We conduct media relations, craft speaking platforms, and implement multi-platform awareness campaigns. Using our bespoke strategies, you’ll gain the visibility to make the meaningful impact on the world your mission deserves.
Philanthropic Communications
Philanthropic communications are about more than just fundraising, and they are about more than glossy packaging. They bring key opportunities to connect to people in meaningful and lasting ways. They are about partnership, the hopeful future we are building together, and articulating and inspiring that legacy. So we don’t just focus on the slick package (though we do that very well)—we take a comprehensive, advancement-oriented approach to moving an organization forward.
services + skills
Admission Marketing
Advertising
Advocacy Communications
Alumni Strategies
Annual Giving
Art Direction
Audits
Branding
Campaign Communications
Case-making
Change Narratives
Consumer Education
Content Strategy
Creative
Crisis Communications
Design
DEI Communications
Digital
Editorial Services
Event Strategies
Executive Communications
Image and Issue Campaigns
Impact Reporting
Issues Management
Market Research
Media Relations
Media and Message Training
Messaging
Naming
Paid Media
Photography
Planning
Policymaker Outreach
Positioning
Proposal Development
Research
Social Strategy
Staffing Support
Stakeholder Relations
Stewardship
Storytelling
Strategic Communications Planning
Thought Leadership
Training Workshops
Video
Visual Identity
Writing
clients
We partner with those we trust and admire to create lasting value.
We work with leading non-profits across sectors, including the world’s top colleges and universities; purpose-driven foundations and philanthropies; trailblazers in science, health, and the arts; and those hard at work changing public policy and systems.
Arts + Culture
The American Philosophical Society
The Annenberg Center
Chautauqua Institution
The Institute of Contemporary Art
The Kimmel Center
Library of Congress
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
Penn Museum
The Smithsonian Institution
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Wharton Esherick Museum
The World War II Foundation
Civic + Human Services
AARP Foundation
The Anti-Defamation League
The Barra Foundation
Camden Sophisticated Sisters
CeasefirePA
Children’s Crisis Treatment Center
Doris Duke Foundation
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Gift of Life Donor Program
Girl Scouts of the USA
Goodwill NY/NJ
JEVS Human Services
Newman’s Own Foundation
New York Women’s Foundation
Oxfam America
Pennsylvania Public Media
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Philadelphia School Partnership
Philadelphia250
The School District of Philadelphia
Simpson Senior Services
Vetri Community Partnership
Volunteers of America
Education
Achieving the Dream
Aspen Institute
The Aydelotte Foundation
Auburn University
Binghamton University
Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
Denison University
Drexel University
Harvard Kennedy School
The Institute for Advanced Study
The KIPP Foundation
Lafayette College
Montgomery County Community College
Mount Holyoke College
Northampton Community College
Princeton Center for Theological Inquiry
Providence College
The Rockefeller University
Stonehill College
Swarthmore College
SUNY Westchester
Syracuse University
Thomas Jefferson University
University of Delaware
- Annenberg School for Communication
- Athletics
- Carey Law School
- Graduate School of Education
- Libraries
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Science
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- School of Social Policy and Practice
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- The Wharton School
University of the Arts
University of the Sciences
Ursinus College
Vanderbilt University
Washington College
Western Kentucky University
Yale Law School
York College, CUNY
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
The Agnes Irwin School
AIM Academy
The American School of Paris
The Baldwin School
DVFriends
The Episcopal Academy
The Foxcroft School
Germantown Friends School
The Haverford School
The Hotchkiss School
The Lawrenceville School
Mercersburg Academy
The Miquon School
Newark Academy
Perkiomen School
Princeton Day School
Ranney School
Shipley
Solebury School
St. Peter’s School
University of Pittsburgh
William Penn Charter School
Environment + Sustainability
American Public Gardens Association
Bartram’s Garden
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art
Morris Arboretum
Science + Health
The American Neurological Association
The American Nurses Foundation
The American Occupational Therapy Association
Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
The Doris Duke Foundation
Harvard Medical School
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaches
The Jackson Laboratory
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics
Main Line Health Foundation
The National Board of Medical Examiners
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Nemours
Penn Medicine
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Stanford Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
The Wistar Institute
OUR TEAM
Of counsel. And creative as heck.
Jill Wacker
PRINCIPAL
As Principal, Jill helps lead the agency, its clients and a team of talented creatives and strategists. Jill brings an honest, empathic, and ambitious perspective to every engagement. An award-winning writer and creator, Jill also oversees design at SteegeThomson, and typically focuses on large and complex client engagements.Prior to joining SteegeThomson, Jill worked in healthcare marketing, where she honed her skills in bringing ideas to life. Today, she guides strategy, editorial and visuals to ensure that ideas can be realized across different channels and media to reach multiple audiences. Public awareness and advocacy campaigns are her sweet spot.
Her backgrounds in healthcare and higher education have helped drive insights for clients as diverse as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Yale Law School, the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, The Jackson Laboratory, Pre-K Counts, Bryn Mawr College, and Independence Blue Cross.
Jill graduated from Columbia University with a BA in History and received her PhD in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
When she’s not pushing to expand the firm’s practice or try a new approach, her happy place is on a bike on a towpath or rail trail, or exploring the streets of a new town.
Patricia LePera
PRESIDENT EMERITA AND SENIOR CONSULTANT
A messaging maven, Pat has been a leading voice in development communications for decades. Her genius combines a deep understanding of inclusive case-making and a clear vision for how to do it. Dozens of organizations and institutions worldwide have turned to her for help articulating their visions and the compelling difference they make in the world.As President of SteegeThomson, Pat deepened and extended the firm’s ability to bridge the gap between institutional brands and key moments in a constituent’s journey through integrated strategy, design and experiences. As President Emerita, Pat continues to strengthen the firm’s vision, and to serve select clients. Perhaps most importantly, Pat sets the standard for the quality of our work and the tone for how we go about it. Her impressive body of work includes developing campaign cases and brands for The Smithsonian Institution, The Library of Congress, The University of Pennsylvania, Girl Scouts USA, Volunteers of America, Auburn University, and many more.
A proud graduate of Temple University, Pat also holds an MS in Library Science from Drexel University. When not crafting your next unforgettable messages, Pat is deep in the latest 1,000-page historical biography or exploring a new corner of Europe with husband Arnie.
Denise Portner
PRINCIPAL EMERITA AND SENIOR CONSULTANT
As a senior consultant, Denise helps lead client relationships, manages and mentors our team, and keeps an eye on SteegeThomson’s operations and growth. While Denise started her career as a reporter, she eventually found her way to the agency side, bringing a holistic understanding of what stories need to stick.An award-winning writer and media strategist, Denise integrates the art and science of public relations to create unique, profile-raising visibility programs and to position clients as thought leaders, community builders, and conveners of important conversations. With perspective drawn from the newsroom, university, foundation, corporation, and agency settings, she has the flexibility to imagine solutions across traditional boundaries. Clients who have benefited from her extensive experience and personalized attention include the Stevens Initiative of the Aspen Institute, Penn Medicine, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the American Neurological Association, Temple Health, and Pennsylvania Public Media.
Civically engaged, Denise sits on the boards of JEVS Human Services and Philadelphia’s WHYY, and is part of the team planning Philadelphia’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Denise received her BA in History from Brown University.
Trying new things is Denise’s modus operandi. Outside of work, you’ll find her on stage at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center with the Kehillah of Old York Road Choir, rowing with fellow breast cancer survivors, or building her skills as an artist.
Luise Moskowitz
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Short stories with long tails: that is just one piece of the singular talent Luise brings to her work with our clients. A seasoned media relations expert, Luise manages to keep every engagement fresh and finely tuned to an institution or organization’s needs and goals. Her approach is thorough, methodical and completely original.
Luise’s PR and visibility work taps the broader visual and creative skills of our team, and incudes out-of-the-box tactics such as illustrations, comic strips, and collaborations with popular authors. She has led stellar creative efforts for clients that include Newman’s Own Foundation, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Philadelphia City Fund, Ursinus College, The Agnes Irwin School, and Binghamton University.
Luise came to SteegeThomson after working in communications roles at the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Ballet, so has a special affinity for crafting winning stories about education and the arts, but her expertise has also supported complex storytelling in health and medicine for clients such as National Board of Medical Examiners, Thomas Jefferson University and the Doris Duke Foundation.
Luise received her BA in Classical Studies and her Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
When not devising brilliant stories, Luise is beading beautiful earrings in her purple house in Philadelphia’s Fitler Square or spending time in her native Washington, D.C.
Togo Travalia
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
For over three decades, Togo has been at the forefront of philanthropic communications. His experience working with development teams has given him unique perspectives on case-making, campaign launches, stewardship, and the role they play in building stronger institutions.A gifted writer and creative, Togo maintains long and fruitful partnerships with clients. His sensibility and his team-building frequently enable him to chart a holistic approach that erases the boundary between fundraising and admission marketing. An independent school expert, Togo has worked with a long list of schools that includes Mercersburg Academy, William Penn Charter School and The Hotchkiss School. Clients such as the Anti-Defamation League, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, SUNY Westchester, Stonehill College, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology have benefited repeatedly from his campaign and stewardship expertise.
Togo received his BA in Classics from Swarthmore College, and began his career as a Latin teacher.
When not burning the midnight oil at the office, Togo can be found managing the Off the Wall gallery at Philadelphia’s legendary Dirty Frank’s.
John McWilliams
BUSINESS MANAGER
An oasis of calm at the heart of our busy agency, John blends the focus and experience of a seasoned financial professional and CPA with the insights and empathy of a clinical social worker.John’s unique blend of skills helps us be more intentional both internally and externally in all that we do. He has helped SteegeThomson transition to new operational platforms and boosted the benefits we are able to offer to our team. Before joining SteegeThomson, John shared his financial and managerial acumen to major corporations and local non-profits.
John holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Social Service degree from Bryn Mawr College.
When he’s not holding down the fort at SteegeThomson, you can find John providing counsel as a therapist in private practice.
Anna Schneider
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
As a designer, Anna works alongside our writers and strategists to develop and shape brands and bring ideas to life. For Anna, design is about more than merely creating something beautiful or eye-catching: it’s about problem-solving. Her favorite aspect of her work is providing solutions that capture both hearts and minds, leading to better understanding.
A strong systems thinker, Anna brings a multidisciplinary approach and a wealth of experience to the practice of design. Her diverse work has served clients in sectors as varied as retail, tech, fine art, and children’s publishing. Before joining SteegeThomson, she worked at the Seattle Art Museum, where she had a hand in everything from exhibition branding and environmental graphics to SAM’s member magazine. At SteegeThomson, Anna has worked with clients including the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Denison University, the Museum of Science, Temple Health, and the Philadelphia City Fund. She also plays a lead role in visualizing the SteegeThomson brand.
Anna holds a BA in Design with a minor in Art History from Western Washington University.
When she’s not visualizing your brand, you might find Anna hitting local farmers’ markets for fresh, seasonal produce.
Julia Fleisher
ASSOCIATE
Quick on the uptake and rigorously organized, Julia offers our clients and our internal team a strong anchor for a variety of accounts. She loves the way telling a client’s story enables her to tap her wide variety of interests and step into other worlds and other roles, while at the same time achieving meaningful goals.She’s passionate about work with community impact, and comes to SteegeThomson after stints at non-profit organizations where she “did it all,” from communications and fundraising to advocacy, events and operations. You can see this ability to pitch in on multiple fronts in her work with clients such as Independence Blue Cross, Temple Lung, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer. She also brings a keen understanding of data and statistics – as well as how to use them – to her work.
Julia received her BS in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College and earned her MPP with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.
When she’s not telling a story with data, Julia’s finding inspiration in her extensive cookbook collection.
Accolades
2024
anthem bronze award
Binghamton University
EXCELERATE: Moving at the Speed
of Binghamton
Campaign - Brand: Education, Art & Culture
2024
Summit Creative Silver Award
SteegeThomson Brand Refresh
Complete Rebrand/Redesign
2024
HERMES CREATIVE GOLD Award
SteegeThomson Brand Refresh
Branding Refresh
2024
TITAN Health Platinum Award
Temple University Health System
Temple Lung Center: Updates in Research and Practice
Website - Digital Publication
2024
CUPPIE Gold Award
Ursinus College
Two New College Presidents, One Unified Vision for Campus Health
Executive Communications: Opinion/Op-Ed Writing
2024
CUPPIE award honorable mention
Swarthmore College
100 Years of Honors
Digital media: Long-form video
2023
Pepperpot Award
The Philadelphia City Fund
Moving Past Scandal to a New Chapter of Service and Success
Reputation/Brand Management
2023
Pepperpot Award
Independence Blue Cross
How I Know My Mind
Public Service
2023
Summit Creative
Bronze Award
The Philadelphia City Fund
Old Scandal to Fresh Relevance
COMPLETE REBRAND/REDESIGN
2023
Hermes Creative
Gold Award
The Philadelphia City Fund
Old Scandal to Fresh Relevance
BRANDING
2023
COMMUNICATOR AWARDS
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Bringing Sex Into the Breast Cancer Conversation
MEDIA RELATIONS
2022
Hermes Creative
platinum Award
Independence Blue Cross
Know Your Mind/
Cuida Tu Salud Mental
Strategic Public Relations
2022
HERMES CREATIVE HONORABLE MENTION AWARD
Newman’s Own Foundation
Serious Fun Camps Comic Strip Series
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
2020
PEPPERPOT AWARD
Independence Blue Cross & the City of Philadelphia
#mindPHL Mental Health Campaign
SOCIAL CAMPAIGN
2019
AIGA PHILADELPHIA DESIGN AWARD
University of the Arts
Uniquely UArts: The Campaign for Creative Capital
design
2019
HERMES CREATIVE PLATINUM AWARD
Celebrating Five Years of Progress and Hope: 2017 Progress Report
Print Media, Publications, Annual Report
2019
HERMES CREATIVE PLATINUM AWARD
University of the Arts
Uniquely UArts: The Campaign for Creative Capital
Print Media, design, Publication overall
2019
CASE DISTRICT II BRONZE ACCOLADE AWARD
Penn Medicine
A Remarkable Thing Happened
Fundraising, Print Brochure
2019
HERMES CREATIVE gold AWARD
Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania
Institute of Contemporary Art: Encounter the Unexpected
Print Media, design, Marketing Materials
2024
HERMES CREATIVE GOLD Award
SteegeThomson Brand Refresh
Branding Refresh