Our Team
Dr. J. Eric Kowalczyk
Founder | Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Eric Kowalczyk is a strategic communications leader with over 20 years of experience in crisis communications, leadership strategy, and public affairs. He is the author of The Politics of Crisis and is a passionate advocate for marginalized and underserved communities. Eric is nationally recognized for his expertise in crisis response, municipal and nonprofit communications, and media relations. He has advised elected officials, advocacy groups, law firms, and municipalities across the country.
Juliet Pierre-Antoine
Founder | Chief Communications Officer
Juliet Pierre-Antoine is a lifelong public relations and crisis management professional with a decorated career spanning the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Juliet spent a decade as a New York City public servant providing public relations support to the administrations of former Mayors Bill de Blasio and Michael Bloomberg and has provided media support for civil servants, elected officials, organization leaders, and attorneys in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Khristina Cook
Founder | Chief Operating + Brand Officer
Khristina Cook is a seasoned branding, marketing, and communications leader with 15 years of integrated marketing experience across diverse industries, including hospitality, fashion, tech, beauty, and nonprofit. A career marketer, Khristina has led national and global marketing programs at prestigious companies and nonprofit organizations, developing comprehensive, data-driven marketing strategies and campaigns to build brand awareness, drive engagement, and inspire action.
Mike Melvin
Partner + Chief Growth Officer
Mike Melvin has dedicated his career to helping organizations find unique ways to tell their stories and create meaningful connections with their stakeholders. For over 10 years, he has activated sales and marketing initiatives for mission-driven agencies, VCs, healthcare organizations, and B2B tech companies. A skilled marketer and business operator, Mike utilizes his depth of experience to enable strategic growth for Connection Point’s clients and the communities they seek to support.
Ricardo Chavira
Senior Communications Strategist
Ricardo Chavira is a branding, marketing, and communications executive with expertise spanning government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. He has built and led teams that develop strategic narratives, elevate thought leadership, and secure high-profile media coverage. Ricardo specializes in integrated communications strategies that amplify mission-driven organizations, leveraging data-driven insights, audience research, and compelling storytelling to spur action and desired outcomes.
Kristenn Fortson
Senior Consultant, Digital
Kristenn Fortson is a communications professional with a decade of relevant experience. As a highly accomplished leader and advocate for human rights, racial equity, and social justice who is continually focused on driving transformative initiatives and impact, Kristenn offers proven experience in all facets of forward-thinking communications; strategic analysis, planning, and trends tracking; digital and social media; content creation; and innovative messaging.
Joseph Escobar
Senior Consultant, Creative
Joseph Escobar is a seasoned creative leader with over seven years of experience in branding, creative direction, and graphic design across a wide range of commercial industries and nonprofit organizations. He is experienced in design team management, design principles, brand development, and project management. Joseph takes pride in creating visually captivating stories that leave a lasting impression and uses his passion for design to empower others to make a positive impact in their communities.
Emily Hauser
Senior Consultant, Storytelling
Emily Hauser is a communications writer and strategist with deep experience amplifying the message and advancing the goals of decision makers, cultural influencers, and mission-driven nonprofits. She has worked with a broad range of clients, including U.N. agencies, West End Strategy Team, the American Library Association, senior advisors to the World Economic Forum, former ambassadors, politicians on both sides of the aisle, and leading figures in the recording industry.
Dr. Ajua Kouadio
Senior Consultant, Partnerships
Dr. Ajua Kouadio is a passionate advocate, educator, researcher, and consummate optimist. She has over 20 years of nonprofit experience teaching, organizing, and managing initiatives at cause-driven organizations and has lent her talents to everything from the Black Lives Matter movement to labor rights. Ajua’s extensive experience in programming, fundraising, communications, and event planning has allowed her to engage with stakeholders from grassroots organizers to Capitol Hill.