STATE COLLEGE — State College native Zack Moore is joining a diverse group of seasoned professionals to create a new, certified women-owned agency named ASSEMBLE that has been launched in Pennsylvania. The new agency offers a broad suite of services including issue advocacy and civic engagement, fundraising and grant management, as well as an in-house public relations and communications service line called Publicity HouseTM.
ASSEMBLE has recruited talent from across the state to lead key verticals as part of this new venture, including the merger of civic advocacy firm Denny Civic Solutions, which is bringing its client and talent mix as part of this launch.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be part of ASSEMBLE and to help launch this incredible new venture. We’ve pulled together an amazing team of seasoned professionals, each with unique expertise, and it’s inspiring to see the talent we have under one roof,” said Zack Moore, executive vice president of ASSEMBLE, who brings nearly 30 years of policy, lobbying and organizational leadership to the team. “With our focus on helping clients across Pennsylvania make a real impact in their communities, I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
A stand-alone affiliate of Allegheny Strategy Partners, ASSEMBLE offers a collaborative approach with client-focused offerings that include:
• Civic engagement and advocacy
• Philanthropy and development, family office philanthropy and capital campaigns
• Grant management and compliance
• Full-service communications services through an in-house shop, Publicity HouseTM
With a statewide presence and collective federal and state expertise, ASSEMBLE is being founded by Kelley Denny, president, Kaitlyn Brennan, vice president for strategic initiatives and grants, Megan Smulski, vice president for advancing philanthropy and development, John Denny, co-founder and senior advisor, Moore, executive vice president, as well as Nick Varischetti and Tommy Johnson in strategic director roles.
From day one, ASSEMBLE brings together a dynamic portfolio of clients, spanning nonprofits, foundations, global and regional charities, professional athletes and influencers, industry associations and corporations.
“With client successes and expertise of our own, we have been collaborating as individuals and realized we can do so much more for our clients together than we can alone,” Denny said. “ASSEMBLE offers high-energy talent doing high-impact work. A woman-owned enterprise with a one-stop-shop focus, we are built to tackle complex challenges and deliver both cost efficiencies and meaningful results.”
The merger with Denny Civic Solutions delivers talent and expertise from a firm deeply connected in the Pittsburgh civic community since 2011. Advancing issue advocacy through civic campaigns, DCS has helped kids of incarcerated parents avoid the criminal justice system, advanced voter rights, and expanded patient access to health care.
“ASSEMBLE delivers a team with diverse and complementary backgrounds and unmatched political savvy — all critical to tackling challenges like removing policy barriers, unlocking funding and helping our clients expand their footprint,” Brennan said. “We share a belief in the importance of personal touch in our work, offering hands-on, customized support. I’m excited to collaborate with a dynamic team to drive meaningful change for the organizations and communities we serve.”
“When Nick Varischetti and I launched Allegheny Strategy Partners nearly five years ago, the market was signaling to us,” Johnson shared. “The same is true today. As our firm has grown, we’ve had a window into the broader needs of our clients. We see momentum for other professional services that synergize with our firm, including fundraising, grantmaking, communications and other services. Clients are placing a premium on being nimble and efficient. ASSEMBLE will speak to those market pressures. This team is fully stocked to deliver on the client’s growth needs and communication objectives.”
ASSEMBLE maintains an office at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh and creative studio space in East Liberty, in addition to administrative offices in Brockway with pending office space in State College.
