Edelman announced today it is expanding its already strong media and storytelling capabilities with a new senior hire in the Washington, D.C. office.

Sarah Swinehart, director of Media Affairs for Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, is joining Edelman as a vice president on the Media Services and Strategies team. As a part of that team, she will report to executive vice president Caitlin Hayden, who joined Edelman in mid-2015 from the Obama White House.

“The best of what we do in communications marketing combines understanding of what makes a compelling story with deep expertise on how to engage a media ecosystem that is evolving every day,” said Rob Rehg, president of Edelman Washington, D.C. “Adding Sarah’s talents to our roster will help us do precisely that with smart, creative, and politically-informed counsel that can help our clients’ stories break through.”

Swinehart has been Speaker Ryan’s Media Affairs director since November 2015, where she managed the Speaker’s broadcast strategy, external media events, and foreign dignitary communications.  Before that, she served in the same capacity for Speaker of the House John Boehner, including leading media planning for Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. Capitol. Sarah also served as both the spokeswoman and communications director for the House Committee on Ways and Means before joining the Speaker’s Office.

“Sarah is unquestionably among the best at what she does,” said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. “From day one, she has been indispensable to me in the planning and execution of our media strategy and major events. She is simply a class act. We are grateful for Sarah’s years of service to the House, and wish her all the best.”

“I am excited to be a part of Edelman’s innovative and strategic media team and help expand the impressive growth and reputation the firm has,” said Swinehart. “It’s an incredible opportunity to bring the experience I have on Capitol Hill navigating an ever-changing media environment to advocate for our clients.”

About Edelman: Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Edelman was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014; six Cannes Lions in 2015; and the Grand Prix in the Titanium category in 2016. The firm was named “2016 Global Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report, and one of Advertising Age’s “Agencies to Watch” in 2014. In 2015, Edelman was among Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work” for the fourth time. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Intelligence (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, experiential), a joint venture with United Talent Agency.