Our Team

Greg founded Abel Communications in 2005 after more than a dozen years working professionally in journalism, sports marketing, corporate communications and agency public relations. Around the office, the team jokes that Greg knows someone just about everywhere in Baltimore and beyond, and his network has brought tremendous connections and opportunities to the firm. He often leads media training workshops for clients and regularly writes and speaks publicly about business leadership. He is a member of the Executive Committee of Public Relations Society of America's Counselors Academy, a national network of independent agency owners and a past member of the board of Park Heights Renaissance. With a passionate focus on company culture and growth, Greg was named one of 2017's Most Admired CEOs by The Daily Record and Abel Communications has twice been named a finalist for the Baltimore Business Journal's Best Places to Work. He is a graduate of James Madison University with a degree in English and Journalism.

"My favorite job (besides running Abel) was Beer Vendor at Orioles games during college summers. I can still hear the chant in my head now GET YOUR ICE COLD BEER HERE, WHO'S READY??!!"

Jessica is a member of the Abel leadership team and leads strategy and implementation of programs for a group of the agency's core clients. She supports employee retention and recruiting, client relations and processes, new service development, business development and cultivating the Abel culture. Jessica began her career in marketing with a Washington-based advocacy organization then happily joined the PR agency ranks. In 2016, Jessica was named one of Maryland's top 20 in their 20's by The Daily Record and has received numerous Public Relations Society of America-Maryland awards, including Best in Maryland. Jessica received her undergraduate degrees in Communications and Business Administration from Flagler College and later earned a Masters in Marketing from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.

"Words are important. Words are important. Words are important."

Damian is an award-winning creative technologist and brand strategist with over 20 years of experience in the technology, marketing and operations industries. As chief digital officer and creative director, Damian leads Abel’s creative and digital offerings and team, while occupying a leadership role with the firm’s executive team. Before joining Abel, he held positions at numerous prominent companies including Weber Shandwick, Delucchi Plus, and Webbmason Marketing. In 2016, he founded the creative services firm, Catalyst Labs, an independent marketing firm that worked with national clients on activities including brand development, website design, and video production. Most recently, Damian served as the builder-in-residence for Olive Ventures creating forward-thinking technology solutions in healthcare.

My first job and by far the hardest job I’ve had was on a dairy farm. I will forever have an appreciation for farmers and how food is grown. 

Cindy has a strong background in banking and finance and oversees the daily operations of Abel Communications, including bookkeeping, time management, human resources and client on-boarding. Over the last year she has also taken a very active role in supporting Abel's business development efforts. She's a key member of our leadership team and also well known for fixing anything and everything that could possibly break or go wrong, gaining the nickname of Office Mom. Prior to Abel, Cindy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Towson University with a focus in Accounting. A former member of the Tigers gymnastics team, she'll occasionally walk on her hands across the office. Cindy is very active within the community and has recently served on the board of HASA and participated in board activities for Notre Dame Preparatory School. She also coaches a local competitive gymnastics team in her spare time.

"I have back flipped across beaches in Hawaii, Bermuda, Mexico and the Virgin Islands. Have a challenge? Dare me!"

Emily leads strategy and execution of programs for Abel clients across various industries and is also a member of the agency’s leadership team.  With over 15 years of experience, Emily began her career in Atlanta where she worked at Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center and The Atlanta Opera.  On the agency side, Emily has successfully led public relations programs with an emphasis on strategies that integrate paid, earned, shared, and owned media. Emily currently serves as vice president of PRSA Maryland’s board of directors and has been honored with the chapter’s Paul E. Welsh Award for developing and implementing creative and effective solutions to the most challenging issues in PR. In 2019, Emily was named to The Daily Record’s VIP List that recognizes Maryland’s leaders based on their professional accomplishments, community service, and a commitment to inspiring change.  Emily is a proud graduate of Appalachian State University in North Carolina and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, public relations. Having grown up in Baltimore, she’s an alumna of Notre Dame Preparatory School and her favorite volunteer work is her time with Baltimore’s Thread, Inc.

"I love David Sedaris.  If you do, too, we'll get along just fine."

Mara provides media relations and account support for Abel's technology, higher education and hospitality clients. Before moving to Baltimore in 2017, Mara cultivated her PR hustle at a small, fast-paced firm in Austin, Texas, where she worked with local, regional and national accounts across various industries, including the James Beard Foundation and nationally-acclaimed hospitality groups. With childhood roots in Annapolis, Mara grew up in Reno, Nevada and attended college in Mississippi, where she had the opportunity to live, travel and study in South Africa. Her main thrills included swimming with sharks, bungee jumping and playing for the University of Cape Town's Varsity soccer team. Mara draws inspiration from her many experiences, and is always excited about what is yet to come. She graduated from Ole Miss in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications.

"I have an unwavering passion for murder mysteries and serial killer documentaries. Anyone else? No?"

Martin is an award winning multidisciplinary content producer and brand strategist. He builds, launches, and repositions brands while spearheading Abel's creative production, developing content for marketing campaigns agency wide. Martin leads research and strategy for brands, discovering what matters to their audiences and what motivates them. His strategic communications work has helped organizations redefine their vision, enter new markets, and launch products and services with confidence and purpose. Outside of work, Martin is a playwright, performer, and educator. He enjoys coffee, climbing, and talking long walks with his dog.

"At the age of 7, I walked into my parents' backyard, carved a small circle in the dirt and declared the plot of land officially independent from the Union. I have been living illicitly in the United States ever since."

Alex joined the Abel Communications team following her completion of the firm's Associate program during the fall of 2019. She provides media relations, content creation and account support for Abel's healthcare, nonprofit and tech clients. Her desire to help clients tell their stories is matched only by her hyper-organized brain and unwavering passion for sticky-notes. Prior to her time at Abel she worked for the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Football Team as a public relations assistant. A Baltimore native, Alex graduated with honors from the University of Alabama in 2019, where she majored in public relations with a minor in political science and a concentration in sports and entertainment management.

Lover of exclamation points, seasonal cocktails, bar trivia and loungewear (bonus points for a matching set). Thanks quarantine!!

Nick joined Abel Communications from Johns Hopkins University, where he worked while earning a Master’s in Communication. At Abel, he assists with media relations, public relations writing, and account support. His long-standing interest in media, news, writing, and storytelling made PR a natural fit, and he’s thrilled to explore the intersection of these fields at Abel. Before the public relations world beckoned, he received his BBA in Finance from Loyola University Maryland. Nick maintains an avid interest in politics, podcasts, sports, music, theatre, predicting the Oscars, and pop culture. So much pop culture.

I’m from New Jersey, a state with a …complicated reputation. Try not to hold it against me.

Ellina graduated from Towson University with honors and began pursuing a Master’s degree there shortly after. Her capstone project on the nation’s shortage of Millennial farmers won a department-wide award and was featured in a Medium article around solutions journalism. Since working at Abel, she’s secured top placements for clients including Wall Street Journal, WJZ, and Maryland Daily Record. Before joining the Abel team, she’s done PR work for the Baltimore Orioles and has bylined articles for Baltimore magazine. Outside of the office, she is an avid volunteer enthusiast and has worked extensively with local churches, homeless organizations, urban youth programs and ESL classes.

"Silent Night by Bing Crosby was ranked my #3 most played song for the entire year of 2020. Merry Christmas forever. "

Katie is an associate account executive and provides account support in media relations, writing and research both internally and for some of Abel’s core clients. Before joining the Abel team, she worked as a staff writer at Mid-Atlantic Media where she offered social media support and produced digital and print content for five of their publications. She’s written on everything from new restaurants and events to local podcasts and nonprofits. Katie attended Loyola University Maryland where she worked on the campus newspaper and had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Writing and a minor in Digital Media. A Buffalo native, Katie is a die-hard Bills fan and likes to spend her free time eating good food, reading and bingeing random Netflix documentaries.

 I’ve rewatched Parks and Recreation too many times to count. Quiz me on any character, line or scene – I dare you. #LongLiveLilSebastian

Ciara earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a strategic public relations & integrated communication track from Towson University with honors in May 2022. There she took on two executive board roles as the Director of Public Relations for both Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. the Lovely Lambda Beta Chapter and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. As an associate account executive she provides account support in media relations, content creation, research, and writing both internally and for Abel’s healthcare and nonprofit clients. As a Baltimore native, Ciara prides herself on giving back to her community whether it be through her mentoring program affiliations or her sorority.

"You might catch me performing at an open mic one night or trying a new restaurant the next. If it’s football season I’ll be glued to a TV — #flocknation!!"

After graduating from the University of Delaware in 2022, Lia spread her Blue Hen wings and moved from her hometown of Philadelphia to work at Abel as an Associate Account Executive. Her communication journey first began in 2017 with a TEDx Talk about her work at The Humane League, leading a national campaign and being awarded “Rookie of the Year.” In college, Lia served as Diversity Director for PRSSA-UD’s executive board and moved on to developing strategic marketing plans and digital content at companies like Amtrak and HipCityVeg. At Abel, Lia provides account support in media relations, content creation, research, and writing. After work, find Lia weightlifting, playing guitar, sipping too much coffee, and traveling the world.

"I’ve navigated through 14 countries and still need to GPS my way to the gym. #SorryMom, I’m Gen Z."

Madeline graduated from UMBC with a B.A. in Visual Arts and Media Communications and a minor in Art History. Before starting at Abel, she worked as Curatorial Assistant at the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture and began her career as a designer at UMBC’s newspaper. Her book designs have received department-wide and national awards. As Content Creator at Abel, Madeline’s creative work supports several client accounts and spans graphic design, video editing, and brand research and strategy. When she doesn’t have every Adobe app opened on her computer, Madeline enjoys crocheting, playing guitar and bass, and reading.

While I worked at a coffee shop in Arbutus, they added avocado toast on their menu called “The Arbutus Avo.” Just to be clear, it is named after me, not the town.