The Sterling Executive Team

Sterling Communications’ executive team has worked with companies in just about every high-tech and cleantech market as well as companies at every stage of corporate development — from the earliest start-ups to Global 1000 public companies. Sterling’s executives never parachute into client engagements at the last minute because they are always actively involved in both overall strategy as well as tactical execution.

Marianne O’Connor, CEO

Marianne is a serial entrepreneur with more than 23 years of experience driving internal and external communications programs for emerging and established technology companies. Comfortable working at all stages of the corporate life cycle, she has designed high-impact communications programs for venture-funded start-ups, mid-cap companies and global Fortune 1000 leaders. Marianne has specific expertise in IPO preparation, crisis communications, M&A activity and 360º communications.

Responsible for setting Sterling’s overall strategic direction, Marianne developed the firm’s “Inside Agency” operating philosophy, created Sterling’s 360º Communications approach, and provides executive leadership on several of the agency’s technology accounts. To implement 360º communications at scale, Marianne took on the task of aligning global communications efforts at both BT and Juniper Networks. As part of these projects, she served as head of communications for BT’s 6,000-person IT division and as vice president of corporate communications — and later CMO — at Juniper Networks.

Follow Marianne on Twitter: @marianneoconnor

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Kevin Pedraja, Vice President

Kevin has more than 21 years of experience developing and implementing public relations programs for a wide variety of technology-based companies and public policy organizations. His client experience includes companies in the security, networking, telecommunications, enterprise software, hardware and consumer technology markets. Prior to joining SCI in 1995, Kevin was a policy analyst and media relations specialist with Business Executives for National Security, a national, not-for-profit advocacy organization.

Kevin contributes to the overall strategic direction of the agency and participates in lead generation, new business development and partnership initiatives. He also leads the effort to build market awareness for the agency, oversees the agency’s public relations team, and develops marketing programs for the agency.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @kpedraja

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Kawika Holbrook, Creative Director

Kawika has spent 19 years under the impression that communications professionals cannot bore people into action. He drives the creative strategy for Sterling Communications while managing client projects in website design, social media, online marketing, and corporate identity. His campaigns integrate best practices in PR and SEO to build brands, solve problems, and generate leads. Kawika also trains Sterling employees and clients’ teams on the efficient and effective use of Web technologies.

Before Sterling, Kawika worked in executive relations at Apple. He’s also been a daily news reporter, political ghostwriter, marketing director, and the world’s worst sous chef.

Follow Kawika on Twitter: @kawika

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Lisa Hawes, Account Director

Lisa Hawes has designed and implemented communications programs for nearly 20 years. At Sterling, Lisa has served as primary contact for public and private companies in home networking, DSL services, semiconductors, software, webcasting, clean technology and venture capital, and has extensive experience in crisis communications. Her client experience includes Attensity, Azanda Network Devices, BT, Clickability, DoveBid, Knome, MaxWest Environmental Systems, NETGEAR, Spectrum Equity Investors, Tut Systems, and Unirac.

Prior to joining Sterling in 1998, Lisa spent four years as a crisis management consultant in Washington, D.C., where she conducted communications and training exercises for Fortune 500 companies such as BP/Amoco, Eli Lilly and Gillette, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Lisa previously worked in education in Spain, South Korea and Morocco (as a Peace Corp volunteer).

Follow Lisa on Twitter: @lisakayhawes