Meet The Team
We are more than consultants. We are an extension of your team.
EXPERIENCED, CONNECTED, CREATIVE
Who We Are
Alex Tourk launched our firm in 2007 after over a decade of working in San Francisco Bay Area government and politics. He is supported by a team of seasoned professionals who bring their own unique backgrounds and understanding to client engagement. We specialize in building meaningful relationships between government, business, and the community.
Alex Tourk
Principal
Alex founded our firm in 2007. Prior to launching Ground Floor, he worked in Peninsula and San Francisco politics and government for 15 years, including in the administrations of Mayors Willie Brown and Gavin Newsom. As Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Newsom, Alex created and implemented Project Homeless Connect, a unique civic initiative that has since been adopted by over 200 cities worldwide. At Ground Floor, Alex is passionate about building winning partnerships that benefit our clients and the communities they call home. His deep relationships enable Ground Floor to build strong connections between the private sector, government, and community.
tourk@gfpublicaffairs.com
LINDSAY CALDERONE
Chief of Staff and Partner
Lindsay helps manage the firm on behalf of the principal, acting as the primary liaison among the principal, staff, and other parties; serves as a key advisor to the principal on both strategic and operational matters; and represents the firm to external stakeholders. Prior to serving as Chief of Staff, Lindsay was a Director at Ground Floor, where she managed public policy and community and media outreach for a diverse portfolio of clients. She joined the firm with five years of experience working on public policy issues in government and the private sector, in both Washington, D.C. and in the Bay Area. Lindsay has served as a staffer in the United States Senate, advising on issues that included appropriations and communications, and on the Government Relations and Federal and State Issues teams at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Lindsay holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland and a B.A. from Georgetown University.
lindsay@gfpublicaffairs.com
JEREMY WALLENBERG
Vice President and Partner
For over 15 years, Jeremy has led campaigns, built coalitions, effected policy, created partnerships, and shaped the news as a go-to political strategist for his clients. Advising a diverse cross-sector portfolio, Jeremy supports innovative private companies, public agencies, high impact nonprofits, influential civic leaders, and more. Prior to joining Ground Floor, Jeremy worked on both political campaigns and in government. From 2009 – 2011, Jeremy served as Legislative Aide and Chief of Staff in the Virginia General Assembly. In 2012, Jeremy played an instrumental role in the launch of sf.citi, the San Francisco Citizens Initiative for Technology and Innovation, as its first managing director. In 2017, Jeremy was appointed by San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee as a City Commissioner serving a term of two years. A multi-generation San Franciscan, he is dedicated to community and improving the lives of others.
jeremy@gfpublicaffairs.com
Melissa Blaustein
Senior Advisor
Melissa is a Senior Advisor and a member of the Senior team at Ground Floor, where she grows the firm’s North Bay presence, in addition to strategic client advising. Before Melissa made history as Sausalito’s youngest-ever mayor, she founded Allied for Startups, a Brussels-based organization that improved the business environment for tech startups in over 30 countries. An accomplished marathon swimmer, she conquered the English Channel in under 16 hours and holds a world record for crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
melissa@gfpublicaffairs.com
HAILEY SMITH
Director
Hailey delivers for our team on a diverse portfolio of clients with needs pertaining to project management, communications, community outreach, legislative research and monitoring, and more. Hailey is a Bay Area native who graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to her role as Account Executive, Hailey served as both an intern and summer fellow at Ground Floor, and has retail management experience.
hailey@gfpublicaffairs.com
THOMAS LI
DIRECTOR
A San Francisco native, Thomas brings more than a decade of experience in public policy, government relations, and community engagement across technology, nonprofit, and public sectors. Previously at Meta and Facebook, he developed and executed external affairs and community relations strategies, representing the company before legislators and industry groups, guiding executive leadership on policy messaging, and managing high-profile relationships with community partners and civic leaders. Earlier in his career, Thomas advanced economic policy initiatives for the Office of Economic and Workforce Development at the City and County of San Francisco, led outreach campaigns that exceeded enrollment targets at Covered California, and managed several successful local political campaigns in San Francisco.
thomas@gfpublicaffairs.com
HAYDEN ANDERSON
Senior Account Executive
Hayden strives to build and foster positive relationships between his clients and key stakeholders in the Bay Area by engaging communities, tracking legislation, improving communication strategies, and addressing other client needs. Prior to joining Ground Floor, Hayden was involved in a series of winning campaigns in Arizona, including working for Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs. After moving to San Francisco, Hayden built on his political experience by campaigning and working in a legislative capacity for the Board of Supervisors. Hayden is passionate about civic engagement and mobilizing San Franciscans to uplift the communities in which they reside. Hayden holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Arizona and an M.A. in Urban and Public Affairs from the University of San Francisco.
hayden@gfpublicaffairs.com
Quinta Chapman
Senior Account Executive
Quinta brings a wealth of experience to our team as an Account Executive, blending her background in law and political sciences with a passion for public policy and client advocacy. Originally from London (UK), Quinta spent seven years practicing commercial and antitrust litigation at a leading international law firm before pursuing her Master’s in International Relations with Public Policy at the London School of Economics, which she completed in late 2023. Quinta then relocated to San Francisco where she has focused on building relationships and networks in government affairs and public policy space, leading her to join Ground Floor in early 2024. With significant experience advising diverse corporate clients on sensitive, high-stakes matters, Quinta leverages her legal acumen to navigate public policy landscapes, monitor legislative developments, and craft effective communication strategies. Quinta demonstrates a dedication to detail and cross-disciplinary approach, to deliver impactful solutions across her client portfolio.
quinta@gfpublicaffairs.com
CAROLINE LEIDGEN
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Caroline brings policy and political experience to deliver impactful results for her clients through establishing government-business partnerships, project management, critical research, legislative analysis, and strategic and creative advising. With B.A. and M.A. degrees in Political Science and International Security from the University of Arizona and experience working with California Legislator Tim Grayson, Caroline has developed expertise in community relationship building and stakeholder engagement. An East Bay native, she gained valuable experience in legislative processes and constituent services during her time in public service. In her free time, Caroline enjoys relaxing in the East Bay sunshine and spending time at home with her two cats, favorite video games, and a good book.
caroline@gfpublicaffairs.com
Claire Morgan
Junior Account Executive
Claire supports the firm as a Research Assistant, supporting the team and our clients. Prior to joining Ground Floor, Claire worked as a guest relations assistant, a digital marketing assistant, a research fellow, and most recently, an intern in San Francisco City Hall. Claire is from Dallas, Texas and slowly moved westward with her sights set on San Francisco, obtaining a B.A. in Political Science at the University of Arizona and shortly thereafter, a M.A. in Urban and Public Affairs at the University of San Francisco. Claire is now settled in the Noe Valley neighborhood of the City, with her partner of 4 years.
KAILEN GROTTEL-BROWN
JUNIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Kailen serves as a Junior Account Executive, supporting multiple clients and advancing the firm’s research needs. He is passionate about bridging the gap between government, community, and organizations through strategic engagement, legislative analysis, and communications strategy. Kailen brings extensive experience across all levels of government, having worked with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Berkeley City Councilmember Ben Bartlett, California Governor Gavin Newsom, State Senator Scott Wiener, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, and most recently, San Francisco Supervisor Danny Sauter. Kailen graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy, where he developed strong analytical and research skills that complement his government experience.
JOANNE BEECHER
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE MANAGER
Joanne supports both our firm principal and the overall needs of the office. She loves working with the Ground Floor team to best serve our clients. A Bay Area native, Joanne works with several local nonprofits that support families, the homeless, veterans, and active troops, both as a fundraising lead and community volunteer. She brings a passion for community and government, and feels right at home with the work of Ground Floor. Prior to joining Ground Floor, Joanne studied business and management, and spent a twenty year career at Nordstrom as a senior-level Executive. Joanne lives in Foster City with her husband, a firefighter for the City of Alameda.
Visit Us
700 Montgomery Street
Suite 100
San Francisco, CA 94111
Call Us
(415) 291-9501
Email Us
info@gfpublicaffairs.com