D&A Communications

About Us

We are an equity-first, full-service communications agency. We meet people where they are, listen first, and turn insight into clear, inclusive strategies that drive measurable impact.
About Us
We are an equity-first, full-service communications agency. We meet people where they are, listen first, and turn insight into clear, inclusive strategies that drive measurable impact.

We build human connections that power community transformation. For more than 30 years, D&A has helped clients engage diverse audiences with cultural intelligence—so programs, products, and policies land with the people they’re meant to serve.

Our Senior Leaders

Certifications

Full Service

Full-service, culturally fluent communications: community engagement & public participation; reputation management; social & digital marketing; public & media relations; government & public affairs; inclusive brand strategy; creative content development & graphic design; multicultural marketing; website design & development; research & insights; measurement.

Community Engagement & Public Participation

Branding, Creative, Video & Content Strategy

Digital Marketing & Social Strategy

Communications Strategy, Research & Insights

Measurement
& Analytics

Reputation, Earned Media & Issues Management

Government
& Public Affairs

Darolyn Davis

Chief Executive Officer

Darolyn is a visionary strategist, lifelong advocate, and the heart behind D&A Communications.

Darolyn Davis
With over 35 years of experience, she has pioneered equity-first communications that elevate underrepresented voices and drive meaningful change across public and private sectors. A Bay Area native and trusted advisor to civic leaders, Darolyn brings a unique blend of cultural fluency, policy insight, and community connection to every engagement. Her work sets the standard for inclusive engagement, bridging stakeholder trust with breakthrough outcomes.

Amira Barger

Executive Vice President

Amira Barger is a seasoned communications executive with more than two decades of leadership experience
Amira Barger

As Executive Vice President at D&A, she helps shape firmwide strategy, supports client growth, and elevates the agency’s external presence. She brings thoughtful leadership and clear direction to the work.

Trish Abbot

VP of Account Services

Trish brings over two decades of experience designing equity-first communications strategies.

Trish Abbot

As D&A’s VP of Account Services, she leads with empathy and insight, crafting culturally resonant campaigns that uplift underrepresented voices and translate complex public initiatives into meaningful impact. Trish’s work has shaped equitable outcomes for regional agencies across transportation, energy, health, and civic infrastructure. A certified IAP2 practitioner, she is a trusted partner in turning strategy into connection and vision into results.

Sandra Herman

Director of People & Culture

Sandra leads the agency’s HR and organizational strategy through a lens of equity and care.

Sandra Herman

She oversees all aspects of people operations—from recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations to performance management and engagement—ensuring that day-to-day HR runs smoothly while aligning talent, systems, and culture to support the agency’s long-term goals. In addition, Sandra manages key operational areas such as contracts and cybersecurity, grounding her leadership in D&A’s values of human connection, operational excellence, and authentic community

Jose Rodriguez

Director of Creative Services

Jose is a visionary creative director shaping culturally resonant campaigns.

Jose Rodriguez

At D&A, he leads creative direction for high-impact initiatives spanning healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and civic engagement, translating policy and mission into emotionally compelling visual storytelling. Jose’s portfolio includes work with NYC DOT, NYC EDC, and leading brands in tech, retail, and finance, demonstrating his fluency in both government and consumer-facing narratives. A champion of inclusive design and multicultural storytelling, he brings trend-savvy strategy and human-centered creativity to every engagement.

Melanie Brand

Account Director

Melanie is a strategic communications leader with a global lens. 

Melanie Brand

At D&A, she manages high-profile initiatives for clients, leading stakeholder engagement, influencer strategy, and event activations with precision and purpose. Melanie’s career spans international agencies and newsrooms, bringing a journalistic eye and community-first mindset to every project. Fluent in cross-cultural communication and certified in public participation (IAP2), she builds strategies that resonate deeply and deliver real-world results.

Kitt Grant

Senior Communications Manager

Kitt is a two-time Emmy-nominated producer and strategic communicator. 

Kitt Grant

At D&A, she leads multimedia, digital, and experiential projects, with a focus on equity and impact. Kitt’s background spans national news networks and public-sector initiatives, where her creative leadership has driven engagement and shifted narratives. Known for her collaborative spirit and audience-centered approach, Kitt crafts stories that connect, uplift, and move people to action.

Lisa Marahiel

Senior Communications Manager

Lisa is a seasoned communications strategist advancing mission-driven goals.

Lisa Marahiel

As Senior Communications Manager at D&A, she leads campaigns that turn complexity into clarity, translating institutional priorities into inclusive, actionable messaging. Lisa’s cross-cultural insight and systems thinking have shaped outcomes for agencies and communities alike, helping clients build trust, scale impact, and stay ahead of the curve. Multilingual and globally experienced, she brings creativity, strategy, and heart to every engagement.

Vince Mazzaferro

Senior Communications Manager

Vince is a community outreach and media relations professional with over a decade of experience.

Vincent Mazzaferro

At D&A, he specializes in construction and infrastructure communications, leading inclusive engagement strategies for SFPUC’s citywide wastewater upgrades and green infrastructure initiatives. Vince’s thoughtful, hands-on approach ensures that residents are informed, heard, and empowered, often turning impacted communities into project advocates. Blending creative storytelling with data-driven strategy, he makes complex civic work accessible, relatable, and community-driven.

Kelsey Frost

Senior Communications Manager

Kelsey is an integrated communications professional across brand, PR, and advertising.

Kelsey Frost

As a Senior Communications Associate at D&A, she develops community-centered strategies that bridge client goals with the needs of diverse and historically underrepresented communities. Her work includes managing stakeholder-driven programs and supporting community engagement efforts with BART and the City of Berkeley on transit-oriented development projects. Previously, she partnered with environmental, transportation, and healthcare organizations to deliver public education campaigns that increase transparency, shape behavior, and strengthen trust.

Nina Greenwood

Senior Communications Manager

Nina is a community engagement and strategic communications leader with 20 years of equity-centered impact.

Nina Greenwood

At D&A, Nina leads engagement for the City of Richmond’s Parchester Village and Kaiser Permanente, bringing strategic insight and deep community ties to every project. With over 20 years of experience across public health, government, and transportation, she develops culturally relevant campaigns that help clients connect authentically with diverse communities and turn planning into action.