A LETTER FROM THE CEO
andmakeanimmediateimpactonthecommunitieswecallhome
This fall, Cornerstone’s offices across the country have partnered with local nonprofits to support the vital work they do each day From preparing meals and weeding gardens to leading donation drives, our team has shown up to serve othersininspiringways
In the pages ahead, you’ll find snapshots of these efforts and highlights from the incredible organizations we’ve supported through our Community Engagement Program this fall You’ll also discover stories from colleagues who are sharing their time and talents with organizations close to their heart – such as Alpha Kappa Alpha, First Tee and American Cancer Society – as well as from clients who are makingadifferenceinthecommunitieswheretheyoperate.
These stories, while not exhaustive, reflect the spirit of service at the heart of Cornerstone’smission.
I’m incredibly proud of how our firm and employee-owners continue to live out this mission each day. We hope these stories inspire you to pursue your own passions andmakeanimpactinyourcommunity.
Thank you for trusting Cornerstone to champion your cause and for helping us to remaintheBestintheBusiness.
Sincerely,
GeoffJ.Gonella ChiefExecutiveOfficer
SeethreeCornerstonemediamentionsyou’llwanttoknow
SERVICE IS IN SESSION
ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS
OurMississippiofficevolunteeredatthe StewpotCommunityServicesclothescloset Theyorganizeddonationstocreatemore seamlessshoppingexperienceforpatrons. LEARN
INSTITUTE
OurMid-Atlanticofficesvolunteeredatthe CommunityEcologyInstitute Theyspentthe dayatFreetownFarmtoplantarugulaforthe garden,harvestvegetablesandweedplants.
SERVICE IS IN SESSION
ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS
OKLAHOMACITY
CENTRALTEXAS FOODBANK
AtCentralTexasFoodBank,ourAustinoffice sorted14,960poundsworthofproduce, providing12,467mealsforCentralTexas families.
CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
Aspartofourcommitmenttoservingourcommunities,wecreatedtheCornerstoneCommunity EngagementProgram,whichprovides$1,000annuallytoeachofouremployeeownersforthesole purposeofsupportingthecharitiesorcausesmostmeaningfultothem Cornerstonemakesataxdeductiblecontributiononeachemployee’sbehalftoamplifytheimpactoftheirgenerosityand demonstrateoursharedcommitmenttogivingback
InadditiontoourfirmwideDayofService,thisprogramdeepensourabilitytomakeatangible difference-empoweringeveryemployeetoextendCornerstone’scultureandservicebeyondthe officeandintothecommunitiesandorganizationswherehelpisneededmost
AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
DENVER SERVICE IS IN SESSION
OurAtlantaofficeraised$1,000tosupportthework ofChildAdvocacyServicesofSoutheastGeorgia Thisnonprofitserveschildrenwhoaresurvivorsof abuseandneglectinBulloch,Effingham,Jenkins andScrevencounties
MID-ATLANTIC
DENVERHUMANSERVICES
OurDenverofficecollectedanddroppedoff schoolsuppliesforDenverHumanServices, supportingtheirback-to-schoolinitiative
OurMid-Atlanticofficesraisedover$550in donationstobeabletopurchase144 backpacksforstudentsinmetroBaltimore. Thesebackpacksweredistributedduring NationalNightOut
CORNERSTONE IN THE COMMUNITY
SUZANNE BATTISTA & MADELEINE
DIAKIWKSI
Suzanne Battista and Madeleine Diakiwski serve together on the Board of Directors of the Christ Child Society of Washington, D.C (CCS-DC), a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families in need. CCS-DC serves 10,000+ families per year through its programs, which provide material goods, early literacy and tutoring as well as emotionalsupportservices SuzannecurrentlyservesasTreasurerofthe Board,andMadeleineistheImmediatePastPresident.
Suzanne and Madeleine are both driven by CCS-DC's motto that "nothing is ever too much to do for a child” Their dedication stems not only from a shared belief in the dignity and potential of every child, but also from the knowledge that CCS-DC’s work creates a ripple effect –strengthening families, empowering communities and building a more compassionatefuture
NIAL PATEL
NialPatel’sphilanthropic efforts are guided by the question, ”If not us, thenwho?”
“Mybeliefinactivecommunityengagementisthedrivingforcebehind my charitable work We can't let the demands of our professional lives makeusforgettheessentialneedtocarefortheworldaroundus.”
Toliveoutthesevalues,heworkswithwiththeJoeBurrowFoundation, Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership, New Schools for Baton Rougeandotherlocalorganizations.
CORNERSTONE
IN THE COMMUNITY
regional charities. Ive also coached church soccer, basketball and softball teams for the kids" His wife, Jess, serves on the board of the JuniorLeagueofHoustonandtheHoustonBotanicGarden
TEXAS
CHRIS CARPENTER
Chris Carpenter serves on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, WoffordCollegehelpingshapethefutureofeducation.
“It has been my honor to serve on the Wofford College Board of Trustees for the past 12 years, with the last five as Chair” As part of his role, Chris is supporting the College’s search for its 12 president. “This final year is being shaped by the many changes in Division I sports, andmyinvolvementinthesearchforanewPresident”
th
GEORGIA
ELLIOTT FLAGGS
In 2015, Elliott Flaggs and two of his friends successfully started a nonprofit, LifeEnhancementandAchievementProgram, that worked withtheNationalFirstTeeexecutiveteamtocharterMississippi’sonly FirstTeechapter,theFirstTeeofCentralMississippi.Theorganization is actively engaged with youth ages 6-18 across Mississippi at several golf courses and public school districts The program now serves closeto1,000students.
HONORING BREAST CANCER
AWARENESS MONTH WITH SUSAN G. KOMEN
This October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are proud to highlight the important work of our client Susan G. Komen across three states - Maryland, New Hampshire and Oklahoma Komen embodies the spirit of service through its tireless commitment to advancing research, improving access to care, advocating for patients and survivors Their mission to save lives is one we are honored to stand behind, and we are grateful for the opportunitytoworkalongsidethem.
PROMOTING RURAL HEALTH
In September, Cornerstone and ASTHO Health convened a panel to discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was established in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Leaders from across the country joined the panel to share their perspectives onthechallengesandopportunitieswhichlieahead
QUIKTRIP MAKES AN IMPACT
Cornerstone client QuikTrip was spotlighted by NBC12 in Phoenix for World Homeless Day on October 10th, highlighting its $43 million donation to Phoenix Rescue Mission The feature showcased the incredible impact of the partnership and underscored QuikTrip’s commitment to reinvesting 5% of net profits into the communities where its employeesliveandwork.
EVENTS & ENGAGEMENTS
CORNERSTONE’S ANNUAL CBC ALC RECEPTION
Cornerstone recently hosted our annual CBC ALC Reception This event brought together nearly 500 Black leaders from government, business, education and nonprofit organizations for an incredible night of networkingandcelebration
Thank you to all those who joined us for this eventandtooursponsors!
ASSOCIATE & AVP
OFFSITE
Cornerstone’s Associates and Assistant Vice PresidentsgatheredinDC inSeptemberfortheir annualOffsite.Theyspenttimehoningtheirskills, sharing best practices, focusing on professional development and bonding as one team Several members of Cornerstone’s board of directors alsojoinedthemfortheevent.
We’re grateful for this incredible group of colleagues!
DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER
Cornerstone Principal Matt Garcia sat down with the DallasRegionalChamber todiscusscivicengagementin theregionandhisexperienceasanalumnioftheirYoung Professionals(YP)program Healsospokeonprofessional growth and how to cultivate the next generation of leadersthroughyoungprofessionalsgroups.
“YP prepared me to serve on the various boards I have the privilege of serving today During my tenure [as a YP board member], the Get on Board event was created, [which] connected many area non-profits seeking qualified candidates with our very talented YP cohort,” saidGarcia
Readthestoryhere.
IN THE PRESS
JimmyCentersTalksIowaSenate RacewiththeDesMoinesRegister
CornerstoneManagingPrincipalJimmyCenters recentlysatdownwiththeDesMoinesRegister todiscussIowa’supcomingUS Senaterace, andU.S.RepresentativeAshelyHinson’s campaignaftershereceivedendorsements fromPresidentTrumpandotherGOPofficials
CornerstoneSeniorConsultantPaulRainwater recentlysatdownwithWWLFirstNewsinNew Orleanstoreflectontheresoundingimpactof HurricaneKatrinaandhisroleindisaster recoveryefforts20yearsago
Politico’sNationalSecurityDailyNewsletter highlightsPatrickFloodjoiningCornerstone’s NationalSecuritypracticegroupasaPrincipal PatrickisaretiredAirForceColonelandcomes tothefirmfromRep DonBacon’s(R-NE)office
PaulRainwaterReflectsonHurricane
CORNERSTONE ACCOLADES
CHARLES CARITHERS
Principal|Washington,DC
Congratulations to Charles Carithers on being named to the CBCPower100 CBCPower100isacelebrationofBlackleadersin law, politics, business and medicine who are significantly influencing their industries We're grateful for Charles’ leadership atCornerstoneandbeyond!
SARAH BOWLING
VicePresident|Frankfort,Kentucky
Congratulations to Sarah Bowling on being selected for the 2025-2026 class of Leadership Lexington. Leadership Lexington offers a unique platform to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the City of Lexington The class includes 54 leaders, offering them opportunities to deepen connections to Lexington and collaborate with leaders across sectors to help shapethefutureoftheLexingtoncommunity
CORNERSTONE NAMED TOP LOBBYING FIRM IN GEORGIA BY JAMES MAGAZINE
Cornerstone’sGeorgiaofficewasrecognizedasthe#2lobbyingfirminthestatebyJames Magazine.We'reproudtosharethatJeffHamling,SallyKilpatrick,LawrenceBell,Chris Carpenter,JerryUsryandShalamarParhamwereallnamedas'Top100Lobbyists'inthestate CongratulationsalsotoCharlenePuchallaandAmirSportsforbeingnamed 'RisingStars'inGeorgia!LearnmoreaboutourworkinGeorgiahere.
CORNERSTONE ACCOLADES
MARK MIODUSKI
SeniorConsultant|Washington,DC
Congratulations to Mark Mioduski for receiving the National ForumforHeartDisease&StrokePrevention’sPublicPolicyAward. Thisawardisgiventoanindividualwhohaseffectivelyadvanced policy change that reduces the burden of heart disease and stroke on a national, state or local level Over his four decades as a public servant and lobbyist, Mark has played a substantive role in securing resources to implement the national Public Health Action Plan to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke He has guided health advocates in advancing policies that protect and promotehealthforeveryone,everywhere.
MATT SCHNAPPAUF Principal|Washington,DC
Congratulations to MattSchnappauf for being chosen as a 2025 Top Lobbyist recipient by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE) This annual recognition honors exceptional lobbying professionals through a strictly merit-based process The list includes a group of high caliber professionals who make up the advocacy community With over 50,000 state and federal lobbyistsacrossthecountry,therecognitionisanimpressiveand well-earned accomplishment that highlights the extraordinary contributionsMatthasmadetotheprofession.
CORNERSTONE NAMED AS A FINALIST FOR 2025 PR DAILY AWARDS
Cornerstone Public Affairs has been named as a finalist for the 2025 PR Daily Awards by RaganCommunications oneofthemostprestigioushonorsinthepublicrelationsindustry The recognition celebrates our team’s outstanding work in media relations for our client FootwearDistributors&RetailersofAmerica!ViewtheMediaRelationsnominationhere.
COLLEAGUE CHRONICLES
AUGUST 13TH
JuliaLarkinmarriedher husbandParisLeberon August13,2025-whichis alsoherbirthday!
ChristianWalkerandhis fiancéCesarToledogot engagedonAugust19 in PuertoVallarta,Mexico. th AUGUST 19TH
AUGUST 27TH
JessieCalioandherhusband, Daniel,welcomedababyboy, John“Jack”Ehrlich
SEPTEMBER 13TH
AbiKinnardmarriedher husbandDanielDelaCruzon September13 ,celebrating withtheirpup,Piper th
COLLEAGUE CHRONICLES
JoeBartonandhiswife, Alicia,welcomedababygirl, AnneBarton. SEPTEMBER 24TH
OCTOBER 24TH
JordanGleasonandhis wifeLaurenwelcomeda babyboy,EdwardGleason
OCTOBER 21ST
KatelynAndersonandher husbandJakewelcomeda babygirl,HarrietAnderson.
OCTOBER 27TH
CoreyElderandhiswife Samanthawelcomeda babyboy,HendersonElder
NEW TEAM MEMBERS
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
LauraAlexander Principal(TX)
StevenBarker Principal(OK)
PatrickFlood Principal(D.C.)
ZoeHalfmann Principal(TX)
MackenzieHansen Associate(DC)
JustinJeter Associate(KY)
PeterO’Neill SeniorAssociate(NH)
StephenSandora Principal(DC)
OPERATIONS
Malcolm Sutherland-Foggio Associate(DC)
CatherineAvary MarketingCoordinator(IL)
SaraStrickland Associate(DC)
ThiseditionoftheCornerstoneExperienceisdedicatedtothelifeand legacyofMichaelFalencki,ourcolleagueandfriend.Wecontinueto honorMichael’slifeandcareerbydedicatingourselvestothebetterment ofourcommunities.AdditionaldetailsaboutMichael’slifeandhowyou canhonorhismemoryareavailablehere.