Our team is comprised of some of the most talented government and community relations experts across Southern California.
Nicole Kuklok-Waldman, Esq.
Nicole is an owner and co-founder of Collaborate. From regulatory challenges to development projects, Nicole specializes in a comprehensive advocacy approach and is known for integrating community outreach, communication with elected officials and community leaders, and honesty backed up by evidentiary support, to ensure a positive and desired result. Her expertise and extensive experience in community outreach is deeply rooted in her legal training and academia as a professor at the University of Southern California, where she teaches multiple courses at the Sol Price School of Public Policy and the Lusk Center for Real Estate.
Katherine Hennigan Ohanesian
Kate is an owner and co-founder of Collaborate. Since the firm’s launch in 2017, Kate has played an integral role in growing the government affairs firm into the thriving business it is today. Armed with an extensive background in public service at the City of Los Angeles, Kate is one of L.A.’s most trusted leaders when it comes to advocacy, policy analysis, public speaking, economic development, land-use and community outreach. In her role as a communications strategist and government relations consultant, Kate has helped countless businesses overcome regulatory hurdles and achieve government approvals to move forward with their projects and initiatives. The relationships she has at Los Angeles City Hall are unparalleled, which allows her to quickly identify the people and institutions that can most efficiently and effectively obtain key objectives.
Christopher Guerrero
Christopher joins Collaborate as Vice President after a decade of consulting and legislative advocacy. Christopher has more than 15 years of experience in issue-based advocacy, coalition building, grassroots organizing, candidate campaigns and consulting, and is well connected to political representatives across the country.
Christopher has served as Regional Campaigns Director for Planned Parenthood Federation of America (c3), Planned Parenthood Action Fund (c4), and Planned Parenthood Votes (PAC) working across eight west and southwestern states. In this capacity he served as campaigns director for federal and state level independent expenditures, as well as a consultant for state policy, legislative advocacy, budgetary and grant related efforts.
Lauren Klausen
With experience spanning global think tanks, advocacy organizations, lobbying firms, and the U.S. Government, Lauren has had a 20 year career in California government and community relations, fundraising, and event production. At the start of her career, she worked for Congressman Steve Horn (R-CA) as his Senior Legislative Assistant. From there, Lauren worked in city politics as a lobbyist in Long Beach, CA, and later for nearly a decade as the Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Central City Association, Los Angeles' premier business advocacy organization. She then held a senior role at the CA Center at the Milken Institute, leading the Center's political and business development strategy.
Julia Smith
Julia joins the Collaborate team as Director of Public Affairs after spending 5 years working in electoral politics. She spent three years in the Georgia State Senate, where she served in a communications role for the Democratic caucus as well as the Chief of Staff for the Vice Chair. She moved to Los Angeles in 2021 to manage a citywide campaign, building a network of local connections and knowledge. Her experience and expertise include research, strategic communications, grassroots outreach and coalition building.
Alescia Ellis
Alescia Ellis is the Director of Operations at Collaborate and was recruited to join our leadership team in 2021. Most recently, Alescia served as the Director of Operations at the Hollywood (California) Chamber of Commerce after serving as the CEO / President of the Tujunga Chamber of Commerce, and as the CEO / President of the Chatsworth - Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of California State University Northridge, Alescia is skilled in executive leadership, business and community outreach, social media engagement and non-profit fundraising. Additionally, as a social media strategist, she focuses on brand awareness, marketing goals and implementation. Alescia continues to be a trusted partner of entrepreneurs, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials throughout the state of California.
Strategic Partners
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Consultant
Councilmember Mark Waronek , Consultant
Mark Waier, Lobbyist/ Consultant