LS2group Expands Leadership Team with Four New Partners

Bipartisan firm marks 20 years offering communications, public affairs, and government relations services 

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 12, 2026) – Larson Shannahan Slifka Group (LS2group), a bipartisan public relations, public affairs, government affairs, marketing, crisis communications, and event management firm headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is announcing Demaree Donaghu, Brittany Lumley, Michael Brown, and Corey Day as new partners. 

LS2group, founded in 2006, prides itself on the diverse talents and cross-sector experience of its team. The new partners expand the company’s capability to serve clients nationwide on issues ranging from public policy, coalition building, earned media, and infrastructure advocacy. 

“Adding Michael, Corey, Demaree, and Brittany to our partnership team strengthens LS2group’s ability to deliver integrated, results-driven strategies for clients across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors,” said Chuck Larson, Founding Partner at LS2group. 

“Each of these talented individuals brings deep, practical experience and a record of winning outcomes. Together, they reflect the bipartisan, solutions-first approach clients look to us for,” added Karen Slifka, Founding Partner at LS2group.

The Des Moines based firm has significantly expanded its geographical reach since its founding in 2006 and now has team members across 13 states serving clients in a variety of industries. 

Demaree Donaghu, based in Des Moines, Iowa, has a successful record of media, advocacy, and strategic communications across multiple industries including banking, automotive, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. She has led winning advocacy and PR efforts for renewable energy projects in the wind, solar, and transmission sectors and advanced issues related to tax policy and technology access. She has also worked extensively with the insurance industry on behalf of captive, property & casualty, and health insurance clients. Demaree secures national, regional, and local media placements that help shape public conversation.

“I’m proud to be named partner in a firm that values cross-sector expertise. My focus will continue to be helping clients tell the right story to the right audiences and ensuring high impact visibility for priorities that matter,” Donaghu said.

Brittany Lumley, based in Des Moines, Iowa, co-leads LS2group’s government affairs division. She brings direct experience in state policy and legislative strategy from her time as a research attorney for the Iowa House Majority Caucus staff and has worked on tax credit legislation, economic development and infrastructure budgets, and commerce-related issues. Brittany’s legislative accomplishments include her contribution to the passage of the 2015 road infrastructure funding increase and comprehensive workers’ compensation reform during the 2017 session.

“My time on caucus staff and in the lobby has given me firsthand insight into how the legislative process works—and what it takes to guide complex bills across the finish line,” Lumley said. “As a new member of the partnership team, I will continue to apply that experience to help LS2group clients navigate policy and infrastructure challenges in Iowa and beyond.”

Michael Brown is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he's built a career spanning campaigns, government service, and public affairs. He brings expertise in issues management, grassroots advocacy, and crisis communications. Michael started his career in politics interning with Congressman Jim Clyburn in Washington, D.C., before working as an assistant town manager in rural North Carolina. During the Obama administration, he was appointed to senior leadership at HUD and HHS, directing stakeholder engagement for the Affordable Care Act and Promise Zones Initiative. He returned to North Carolina where he worked with the NC General Assembly to pass the NC Promise Act, making college more affordable, and advised then-Gov. Roy Cooper on clean energy legislation. Today, he helps clients secure legislative wins, manage regulatory challenges, and mobilize grassroots support across North Carolina."

“I am excited to take on this new role at LS2group at a moment when smart public affairs and honest outreach matter more than ever. I look forward to helping bridge policy and community priorities to deliver measurable results,” Brown said.

Corey Day, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, has a coast-to-coast career spanning politics, advocacy, and public affairs. He has managed campaigns and strategic initiatives for candidates, organizations, and corporations at the local, state, and national levels. Corey previously served as Executive Director of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, where he oversaw statewide political operations, organizational strategy, and grassroots engagement. Earlier in his career, he helped lead state and field operations for several national campaigns. Throughout his career, Corey has focused on building broad coalitions, strengthening relationships with community leaders, and organizing effective grassroots engagement efforts. His experience in coalition development, stakeholder outreach, and field strategy strengthens LS2group’s ability to support complex public affairs and policy initiatives.

“Winning in today’s environment requires coordinating strategy on the ground with clear and compelling communications,” Day said. “I look forward to putting my experience in field operations and coalition building to work for LS2group clients.”

About LS2group
LS2group is a bipartisan public relations, public affairs, government affairs, marketing, crisis communications, and event management firm headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. They began as a public affairs firm in 2006 and have expanded their services as client needs have evolved. They now have offices and team members in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, North Carolina, and South Dakota. The scope of their work ranges from local to international projects, and they work within a wide span of sectors. Regardless of the size of the project, LS2group devotes 100 percent of its resources toward ensuring a successful outcome. This approach provides clients with access to the knowledge and experience of their entire team.

For more information about LS2group, please visit their website at www.LS2group.com.

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