Joel mendelson

Meet Joel

Joel joins the New Heights team with more than fifteen years of varied campaign and
communications experience, having spent significant time working and leading on
strategic communications for nonprofits, issue advocacy, and political campaigns.

Joel loves collaborating on campaign communications and narrative development and developing effective digital communications strategies. Joel most recently served as Director of Communications for Grounded Solutions Network and previously held the same role at Jobs With Justice.

Joel holds a core belief that when we speak directly and honestly to our audience, hone
our narrative, and share genuine stories, we can build deeper connections, move people to take action, grow meaningful relationships, partnerships, and allies, and achieve our theory of change.

Before focusing on strategic communications, Joel worked on a variety of issue advocacy and political campaigns, holding roles in campaign management, field operations, and research. He also served as a legislative aide in the Georgia General Assembly for three years, working for Georgia State Rep. David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs). Joel held multiple leadership roles with the Young Democrats of Georgia, shepherding the organization’s efforts to impact legislation affecting young people as a Republican supermajority rose to power in the state.

Joel holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida and a
bachelor’s degree in political science from Kennesaw State University. During his time
as an undergraduate and graduate student, Joel published more than 90 op-eds for two
student-run newspapers and hosted a talk radio show while an undergraduate at Kennesaw State.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Joel lived throughout the south, growing up mainly in the Atlanta suburbs. Joel, his wife Ansley, and their dog Murphy now reside in Alexandria, Virginia.