The Team
We are skilled and experienced public relations professionals who deliver strategic communication, media relations, and crisis management with measurable results.
Tom Carroll
Chief Executive Officer
Tom Carroll is the President of Carroll Strategies. He has been practicing corporate communications and PR in New Mexico since 1992. His firm specializes in branding, advertising, crisis communications, event planning, and PR. He has worked all over the state for his clients and handled countless media tours.
His company has won over 90 awards from the Public Relations Society of America, in branding, media relations and integrated campaigns. He specializes in media training and crisis management, as well as general PR services for the top clients in the state, including Fortune 500 clients doing business in New Mexico. Tom has also been a political consultant in over 150 campaigns, with a win record well over 80%. He is a recognized leader in corporate communications and strategic PR. On a personal note, Tom is a novelist and screenwriter who is married with three daughters. He is an avid swimmer, skier, windsurfer and occasional hockey player.
Jennifer DeGraaf
Sr. Director, Strategy and Public Affairs
Jennifer serves as the Senior Director of Strategy and Public Affairs at Carroll Strategies. She has been with the company since 2013. Some of her best work has involved building campaigns that create public support for legislative issues and helping enact meaningful public policy. Jennifer also helps organizations navigate crisis situations with stakeholders, media, and with internal staff.
She has worked with clients across several sectors including retail, energy, nonprofit, education, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to developing comprehensive strategic campaigns for clients, Jennifer has extensive experience in media relations, event planning, branding, and marketing.
Jennifer has helped the company win two Best of Show awards from the New Mexico Public Relations Society of America for public affairs campaigns that she led. Jennifer has received BAs from Michigan State University in both Advertising and Comparative Cultures and Politics.
Kelly K. Mensah
Public Director of Business Development/PR Strategist
Kelly is from New York but has spent almost 30 years of his life in New Mexico. He has achieved recognition in print, radio, online, and television communications for large national brands such as The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Univision TV, Drake Beam Morin Outplacement, and has overseas experience working in Asia and the Middle East. He earned his BS Degree in Communications as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Entrepreneurship.
Lillie McCall
Public Relations Coordinator
Lillie is a Public Relations Coordinator at Carroll Strategies, where she supports a wide range of public relations and strategic communications efforts. Her work includes media outreach, content development, research and campaign coordination, helping clients communicate effectively with their audiences. She also assists with developing messaging and managing projects that advance clients’ outreach and engagement goals.
Jaden Spencer
Public Relations Coordinator
Jaden Spencer is a Public Relations Coordinator at Carroll Strategies, where he supports research, content development, and strategic communications. A University of New Mexico graduate with degrees in Business Management and Interpersonal Communication, he has experience in public relations, social media marketing, and sales. Jaden brings a solid foundation in communications, marketing, and client relations to the team.
Laura Chambliss
Freelance Art Director for short-term and project-based assignments
For over thirty years, Laura has been designing logos, corporate identities, collateral, and advertisements for clients throughout the U.S. and Canada. Before relocating to New Mexico, she was the art director for a large internet software and services company in California, where she designed websites, annual reports, corporate brochures, tradeshow exhibits and direct mail. Laura started her career at small design studios, focusing on identity packages and brochures. Her favorite projects have been large event posters and graphics which she has designed for museums, fairs, exhibits and conferences. When Laura isn't designing, she paints and teaches art to school children and hopes she will be able to influence children to be creative thinkers.