ABOUT
We are BMWL.
25 years of winning at the ballot box, in the halls of government, and in the court of public opinion.
Who We Are
BMWL is a Bay Area-based public affairs and campaign firm with a 25-year record of winning across California. From the ballot box to the halls of government, we help our clients navigate the toughest fights that move policy and shape the state.
What sets us apart is how we're built. We run campaigns and public affairs under one roof, meaning each side sharpens the other. Our campaign infrastructure gets deployed for a corporate client, and the discipline of a campaign shapes how we approach everything on the public affairs side.
When you hire BMWL, you get our partners with decades of experience in the room, not a pitch team that hands you off.
The People
Behind the Work
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John Whitehurst
Principal
John Whitehurst is a co-founder and chief strategist at BMWL with more than 30 years of experience leading over 200 successful public affairs, communications and outreach campaigns. He has helped clients across healthcare, transportation, development, infrastructure and education achieve critical victories, earning a reputation for strategic leadership and one of the strongest win records in California. John holds a degree in political science from American University and remains passionate about Italian culture, travel, food and music.
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Sam Lauter
Principal
Sam Lauter is a co-founder of BMWL and a government relations and strategic communications professional with more than 40 years of experience in local, state and national politics. He leads public affairs and lobbying efforts for clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and across land use, technology, energy, telecommunications and community organizations. He has worked with a wide range of clients such as Google, Parsons, the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society, Hudson Pacific, the National AIDS Memorial, Blue Shield of California, Uber, County of Santa Clara, Sequoia Living, Genentech and the Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco. Before BMWL, Sam’s career included roles with PG&E, members of Congress and President Biden. A fifth-generation San Franciscan, Sam is an active leader in the Jewish community and serves on several national boards, including as an appointee of President Biden to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Council. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley, lives in San Francisco and his hobbies include photography and rooting for the San Francisco Giants.
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Jill Golub
Principal
Jill Nelson Golub is a partner at BMWL. For more than 20 years, she has run winning campaigns and public affairs work for candidates, ballot measures, businesses, public agencies and nonprofits. She has helped elect candidates at the state, county and local level, moved major housing and transportation projects forward and helped large companies find common ground with the communities where they operate. Her clients have included Google, Genentech, Sutter Health, UCSF Medical Center, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani and the Bay Area Council. The American Association of Political Consultants named her to its 2021 "40 Under 40" class. Before BMWL, Jill worked in New York City government. She lives in Oakland with her family.
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Mark Mosher
Principal, Creative Director
Mark Mosher is a partner at BMWL and an award-winning creative director and public policy strategist with 25 years of experience in public affairs, labor advocacy and strategic communications. He has led communications programs and election campaigns for major labor organizations including SEIU International, SEIU 1021, SEIU 721, SEIU 521, UHW and CSEA, while earning numerous Pollie Awards for excellence in political advertising and design. Before co-founding BMWL, Mark served as Executive Director of the Committee on Jobs, representing San Francisco’s leading business and labor organizations, and has since directed hundreds of successful ballot measure campaigns and issue advocacy efforts.
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Lisa Hanson
Vice President of Media
Lisa Hanson has been with BMWL since its founding and has been instrumental in building the firm's digital media practice into a core element of client success. Before BMWL, she was a field organizer and campaign manager for races around the country before starting her own consulting firm in the East Bay. She brings deep expertise in media strategy, digital advertising, ad buying, creative production, and targeted voter communications, with a sharp eye for the shifts in platforms, targeting, and technology that keep campaigns adaptive and effective. Known for rigorous attention to detail, Lisa helps clients gain an edge in the close, competitive campaigns where margins matter most.
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Margaux Kelly
Vice President
Margaux Kelly specializes in community engagement, policy advocacy and political strategy, bringing more than 15 years of experience in public policy, government affairs and civic engagement. Before joining BMWL, she led successful advocacy campaigns at TogetherSF that secured more than $120 million for mental health, public safety and addiction treatment, and held senior leadership roles in San Francisco City Hall. At BMWL, Margaux helps clients navigate complex political and regulatory environments while building effective coalitions that drive meaningful policy outcomes.
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Camryn McNab
Director
Camryn McNab brings strong writing, research and public affairs expertise to BMWL, helping clients communicate effectively and navigate complex policy issues. A contributing author for BlackPast.org and former staff member for Congresswoman Jackie Speier, she has a passion for social justice and civic engagement that informs her work. Camryn earned a degree in political science and a minor in history from the University of Oregon, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
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Daniel Lupin
Director
Daniel Lupin is a political and digital media strategist with more than a decade of professional experience. Daniel brings expertise in digital media strategy, campaign management, field operations, and community engagement to help clients navigate fast-moving political and public affairs environments. Prior to BMWL, he worked on various national and statewide campaigns, including Beto for Senate, Pete for America and Biden-Harris 2020. Before transitioning into politics, Daniel worked in communications for a tech PR agency and at the NBA, where he was part of the team that managed the NBA’s video game and live-streaming partnerships business. Daniel earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University.
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Alison Wagner
Director of Operations
Alison Wagner is a marketing and communications professional who helps keep BMWL’s projects and operations running efficiently through strong organization, strategic planning and clear communication. Drawing on experience managing logistics and marketing campaigns, direct-to-consumer operations and executive support in the Napa Valley wine industry, she brings adaptability and a solutions-oriented approach to every project. Passionate about advocacy and public service, Alison is committed to supporting underserved communities and expanding her expertise in Bay Area politics and policy.
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Juan Hinojos
Senior Associate
Juan Hinojos is a political campaign, advocacy and community engagement professional who helps clients build meaningful relationships and navigate complex public affairs challenges. He has worked on major statewide campaigns including Senator Mark Kelly’s Senate races, the Harris-Walz presidential campaign and Governor Katie Hobbs’ re-election campaign, and previously served as a Policy Advisor to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Juan brings experience in campaign strategy, public policy and community engagement, with a particular focus on issues such as housing, latinos, homelessness and public health.
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Maddie Dunn
Associate
Maddie Dunn is a public affairs and legislative professional who helps clients navigate complex policy issues, engage communities and advance meaningful change. Her background spans policy research, government service and campaign management, including advising more than 400,000 constituents in the California State Assembly and leading the successful Yes on Proposition M campaign in San Francisco. Maddie brings expertise in coalition building, public policy and community engagement, with a strong commitment to effective governance and civic participation.