Mortar Strategies Team
Lindsay Videnieks: Principal
Lindsay Videnieks brings more than two decades of public policy, advocacy, and campaign experience to her role as a Founding Principal at Mortar Strategies, where she provides strategic counsel to clients navigating complex legislative and regulatory landscapes.
She has advised Fortune 500 companies, stakeholder coalitions, and non-profit institutions, helping clients successfully manage highly fluid situations that require quick thinking, serious strategy, and precise execution. Lindsay has helped secure multiple legislative wins on issues ranging from technology and manufacturing to healthcare, education, and appropriations.
Lindsay is passionate about problem-solving, exceptional client service as well as mentoring and growing talent.
A first-generation college graduate, Lindsay received high honors from the University of Maine at Orono, where she later established the First Gen Honors Fund to support low-income students. She holds a law degree from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law and is admitted to practice in Maryland, where she lives with her husband and three children.
Gavin Clingham: Principal
Gavin Clingham is a seasoned government relations and public policy expert who advises corporations, non-profit organizations and municipal entities in their interactions with federal and state governments.
Before being a Founding Principal at Mortar, Gavin was a partner at a Washington public affairs firm specializing in healthcare policy. He brings his extensive healthcare expertise to his work, engaging with Congress and federal agencies including HHS, FDA and NIH. A former Congressional staffer, Gavin has a deep understanding of the budget and appropriations process, assisting entities to secure policy and funding objectives.
Gavin is a graduate of The Catholic University of America and the Boston University School of Law. He lives in Maryland with his wife and dog Otis.
Susan Hepworth: Communications Advisor
Susan Hepworth is a seasoned public affairs and strategic communications leader with nearly two decades of experience advising global corporations, nonprofits, and political organizations. She designs and executes high-stakes advocacy and reputation campaigns that translate complex policy and regulatory issues into clear narratives and measurable outcomes.
Most recently, Susan served as a founding partner at a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm, where she built and executed integrated strategies for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, K–12 education, and nonprofit sectors. Her work strengthened brand reputation, helped clients navigate complex policy environments, and shaped public perception. Spanning six continents, she has assembled and led cross-functional teams to deliver campaigns grounded in data-driven messaging, coalition building, media relations, direct advocacy, and government affairs.
Earlier in her career, Susan held senior roles in political communications, including serving as Communications Director and spokesperson for the Republican Party of Florida and Director of National Traveling Press for Romney for President during the 2012 campaign.
Susan is a graduate of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas.
Derek Jordan: Senior Associate
Derek brings unique expertise in blockchain, FinTech, and political campaigns to his role as Senior Associate at Mortar Strategies. He monitors evolving policy to deliver strategic analysis and spearheads community engagement for the firm's blockchain & Web3 practice.
Derek supports policy and blockchain clients by turning complex data into clear, practical insights. He brings experience from both large companies and startups, and supports the team by developing research-driven recommendations that help clients navigate complex policy environments.
Beyond his corporate work, Derek has served on the Human Rights Campaign's Steering Committee, where he has led national events and coordinated stakeholder engagement campaigns for statewide and local initiatives. When not in DC, Derek is most commonly found at Web3 conferences throughout North America and Europe.