Who We Are
From Somali pirate negotiations to operating heavy equipment, our team has seen and done (almost) everything for the sake of communications. Learn more about who we are and what makes us tick.
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B.J. Talley
Founder & President
Former chief communications officer, business problem solver, founder & Tar Heel
What’s one moment in your career that shaped how you lead communication today?
April 9-12, 2009. I was the company communications lead for the Maersk Alabama piracy incident (the real-life subject of the movie "Captain Phillips" starring Tom Hanks) and was on the ground in East Africa managing media and PR. The most challenging and exciting week of my career — and it completely evolved my approach to crisis communications. Unsurprisingly, I never got a call when they were scripting and casting the film!
What makes a communication partner great — not just good?
An ability to operate within a client's culture, understand their industry, and "speak the language." As communicators, we have to understand the operating environment (and do it quickly) to be strategic advisors to our clients The best communicators quickly ascertain which stakeholders to connect with and what questions to ask to become "combat effective" quickly.
What's my favorite travel spot?
There is a small family-run ranch in the Pike National Forest of Colorado with no wifi or cell service, where I can ride horses with my wife and daughter, hike, fly fish, and read at least one book cover-to-cover. It's glorious!
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Paige Knapp
Vice President
I eat social media for breakfast.
How do you embed yourself into a client team so it doesn’t feel like “consultant work”?
Nerd alert: I never stop learning about the client, their industry, and their broader business. I love to learn new things, and our work constantly drops me into spaces I’d never otherwise get to explore. Every new client is an invitation to immerse myself in their world and learn to speak their language.
What’s a misconception people often have about our field—and how do you like to prove them wrong?
A common misconception is that social media only works for flashy consumer brands. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: social can actually be even more powerful for B2B and B2G organizations. These audiences are smaller, more specialized, and harder to reach through traditional channels; social lets you meet them where they are with credibility and consistency. Many of our clients are prime examples. The proof is in the (results) pudding!
What is something others would be surprised to learn about you?
I have seen the band Train in concert at least 20 times - in fact, I'm a 5-time sailor on their bi-annual "Sail Across the Sun" music cruise! (Yes, that's a thing.)
Kristen Weidenmuller
Vice President
Communications & change pro, demystifying the art & science of corporate communications, book nerd, avid DIY attempter
What’s a tool, framework, or mental model you use regularly to get clarity fast?
Know, Feel, Do is what I start with for almost everything. What do I want my audience to know, how do I want them to feel and what do I need them to do. Once I have a clear understanding of my goals (and they’re aligned with everyone involved), I can build my engagement or communication plan to achieve those goals. We so often jump ahead to the flashy tactics or assume everyone’s expectations are the same, but starting with this thought exercise ensures alignment, clarity and efficacy of your communication!
How would your clients describe you?
Building relationships is what excites me and brings me joy. I’m only effective as the trust I build, so I think my clients would describe me as a true partner who wants to help them succeed. I’m known for asking questions to get to the root of whatever we’re talking about and I think humor and levity in the right moments can make complex topics feel lighter and more manageable. I’m here to make my clients look good and it’s a role I take very to heart.
What’s your latest DIY project?
Besides my newfound love of gardening, I recently added crown molding to my office, framing to my dining room and am contemplating how brave I want to be in DIYing my bathroom…
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Sandra Perez
Vice President
Corporate affairs for defense tech leaders
What’s a challenge you’ve faced in-house that changed the way you partner with clients now?
In-house communications leadership is a lonely business even if you have the very best team in the world. There are three competing dynamics at play, no matter the organization. As a leader responsible for communicating to all stakeholders you must: 1) move fast, deliver results and report the metrics; 2) create ritual and processes to keep up with demand and crises so as to not burn out your team; and, 3) protect enough white-space to keep current on the trends and technologies that change the game of influence. No one can go it alone, and no one team should be responsible for keeping each of these competitive balls in the air. We know our place is to create the operating space that fosters creativity in a hyper-competitive marketplace.
What’s a misconception people often have about our field—and how do you like to prove them wrong?
That we are a gourmet deli for marketing campaigns. We are the supplier, the POS system, the kitchen and the line chef. We are problem-solvers first and foremost. We show the owner where there is an opportunity and where there is a breakdown. All business and governance problems emerge as a communications challenge; but deep down, there is a strategy that needs adherence, and beneath that, there’s a team that needs alignment. Our super-power is getting to the root of the issue and working our way to delivering a campaign that changes attitudes, behaviors and minds.
How is this different from anywhere else you’ve worked?
I’ve thrived in a big agency, built small agencies, led government contracts, and was an in-house leader. Gladius is different because we all share that well-rounded experience; but we took the best and left the rest. We aren’t wed to the agency model of yore, we don’t abdicate responsibility for our clients’ growth objectives, and we relish the opportunity to do everything differently whether there’s appetite for new LinkedIn graphics or stealth campaigns before a big investment announcement.
Katie Malloy
Director
Former journalist turned content creator for internal & external comms, Tar Heel, mom
What’s a project you’re proud of—and what made it work?
When I worked for a fair trade textiles women’s co-op in Laos, I had the opportunity to take a two-week trip through the small Southeast Asian country to gather video and written stories from small weaver villages. We met so many different ethnic groups, each with its own distinct style of textiles and way of living. While we planned ahead as much as possible, we inevitably had to remain flexible and open to the stories we heard and where they took us. At the end of the trip, we returned to our base — Luang Prabang — via boat down the Mekong River, which took two full days, complete with elephants playing on the water banks.
What’s one lesson from outside of work that makes you better at your job?
Get curious and ask questions. I try to give grace as much as possible and know that what we see and hear on the outside is rarely the whole story. Whether it’s in parenting or adulting, or communicating, asking questions can help you get the context needed to make a more informed decision.
Where can we find you when you’re not at home?
At the horse barn. Several years ago, I asked myself: “What is something you enjoyed growing up that might make you happy as an adult?” The answer: horses. Fast forward to now, where spending time with our horse is one of my ‘happy places.’
Stefanie Kosakoski
Director
Chief brand officer, creative director, marketer
What’s something you believe about communication that not everyone agrees with?
The purpose of communication isn't to be understood by everyone, it's to resonate deeply with those who matter.
What makes a communication partner great—not just good?
The ability to see alternative perspectives, respond versus react, and make strategic choices.
What’s one lesson from outside of work that makes you better at your job?
Becoming a mother; everyone (I mean everyone) will have an opinion on how to do your job as a parent the "right" way. You have to effectively tune out unnecessary information, know your values, and trust your gut. In work, this is a reminder to deeply understand the who and the why, and to lead from your (company's) core values when solving a problem. The rest is just noise.
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Christine Stieglitz
Content Manager & Strategist
Engineering-to-English translator, foodie, oenophile, adventurer, auntie, & neurodivergent nerd
What’s something you believe about communication that not everyone agrees with?
That people still consume lengthy content — provided that it's well-organized, engaging, delivers real value to the target audience, and shared in the right media outlet. I like to break up longer content with subheads or timestamps for the skimmers and, when appropriate, share shorter versions as press releases, blogs, and/or social posts to best serve the spectrum of people who stand to benefit from the information.
What’s your “superpower” when it comes to communication?
Turns out, it's autism! Communication — and especially writing and editing — has been a lifelong special interest of mine. I revel in researching, synthesizing ideas, making a case, telling a story, the sound of each sentence, and ensuring accuracy and efficacy, and I love getting the opportunity to zhuzh up others' content and amplify its impact as well.
What are some of your creative outlets outside of work?
Lately, LEGO! My niece and nephew recently became obsessed and reignited my long-lost love, which I'm thoroughly enjoying again both with and without them. I also have an ongoing installation piece — a moveable, self-reflective, pop art collage — that I've been intermittently expanding and remixing for 20 years. It currently consists of five large stainless steel panels covered in magnets I've made from magazines, packaging, photos I've taken, figures I've made from clay, childhood toys, and other tchotchkes.
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Max Morelli
Consultant
Helping clients turn complex concepts into clear communications
What’s a misconception people often have about our field—and how do you like to prove them wrong?
One common misconception is that communicators operate on the margins of business strategy as a tactical function, when in reality, business-savvy communicators can be some of the most value-driving partners a P&L leader can rely on. Connecting communications strategy directly to revenue growth, stakeholder alignment or operational clarity is something people don’t always expect from someone with a comms title. But when we show up with that lens, it consistently earns trust with our clients and delivers results.
If you could fix one thing about how companies communicate, what would it be?
The problem: Many organizations unwittingly overwhelm their people with vague, high-volume or conflicting messages. It creates confusion, disengagement and elevates risk exposure, especially when the stakes are high.
The solution: Prioritize clarity over volume. Strong communications can help leaders cast vision, reinforce purpose and highlight what’s most important, especially during periods of change or uncertainty. When messaging is focused and has the audience squarely in focus, teams can achieve pretty awesome results.
When you aren’t busy crafting messaging frameworks, employee communications or social media campaigns, what are you up to?
You’ll probably find me outside, either with a fishing rod, a guitar, or getting lost on purpose while hiking one of North Carolina’s many trails with friends.
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Ericka Reyes
Senior Director, Employee, Change & Transformation Communications
Shaping the Human-AI Workplace | Strategy, M&A, Change Management, Org Design & Strategic Communication
When facing a complex challenge, what’s the first question you ask?
The first thing I ask myself is: am I actually looking at the root cause, or just a symptom?
A lot of complex challenges are signs of something deeper surfacing, so I pause and make sure I’m solving the right problem before jumping into solutions. From there, I start asking: What context am I missing? What do I need to understand about the environment, the people, or the processes and systems around this issue?
For me, good problem-solving starts with getting a full picture, because once you truly understand the dynamics at play, the path forward tends to become much clearer and much more effective.
What’s one lesson from outside of work that makes you better at your job?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned outside of work is to lean into curiosity, even the slightly unconventional kind, and to stay open to adventure.
I’ve done things like rappelling off skyscrapers and going on archaeological digs, and while those experiences might seem unrelated to my work, they’ve shaped how I think in a big way. They’ve pushed me into unfamiliar situations, introduced me to people I never would have met otherwise, and taught me how to see patterns and connections that aren’t always obvious.
That mindset carries directly into what I do with clients. While I’m always professional in how I show up, the value I bring comes from thinking differently: finding ideas, angles, and solutions that aren’t immediately obvious. Creativity doesn’t come from staying in one lane. It comes from exploring widely and being willing to connect unexpected dots.
So for me, being a little adventurous (even a little zany) isn’t separate from the work. It’s actually what makes the work better, and what helps my clients stand out in a business world that increasingly looks the same.
What kind of impact do you want to have—on your clients, and on the industry?
I’ve always believed that when someone trusts me with a part of their business, it’s something to take seriously. In a lot of ways, their goals become my goals. I feel a real responsibility to help move their mission forward in a meaningful way.
I don’t think of projects as one-time deliverables. I think of them as opportunities to create change that actually lasts. For my clients, that means outcomes that truly matter, healthier revenue, stronger workflows, and environments where people feel supported and able to do their best work. It’s not about handing over a polished deck and walking away, it’s about building something that continues to create value long after the work itself is done.
More broadly, I care about contributing to an industry that feels a bit more human. I believe the best work happens when thoughtful, rigorous thinking is paired with genuine care for the people behind the business. If I can help show that empathy, rigor, and results don’t compete, but actually strengthen each other, then I feel like I’m making the kind of impact that matters.
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Leo West
Social Media Strategist &
Account Manager
Social Media Strategist | Bringing B2C Marketing Tactics to B2B Spaces | Content-Obsessed
What’s your “superpower” when it comes to communication?
My communication superpower is the ability to quickly understand and embody a brand’s unique voice, then translate that into both compelling content and a cohesive strategy. I ensure every piece aligns with the brand’s identity and connects meaningfully with its audience.
What keeps you inspired to do this work?
Something interesting is always happening in the world of social media. This can range from the newest meme making the rounds to major political movements finding their voice. Social media is the engine of modern communication, and it is exciting to work in this field.
What do clients say about working with you?
I try to bring a positive attitude and a sense of humor to everything I do. I believe that reflects in my work and my interactions with clients. I'll always complete a task or project with a smile.