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.
George Pullen: Senior Economist & Deep Tech Advisor
George Pullen is a leading economist and strategic advisor specializing in the intersection of deep technology, digital assets, and the space economy. He brings a unique perspective to Mortar Strategies, translating complex financial and technological shifts into actionable insights for leaders navigating a rapidly changing landscape.
A pioneer in the digital asset space, George was the senior economist for the first federal round table and white paper on blockchain reports, as well as, on virtual currencies and smart contracts. He has since advised a wide range of companies on other deep technology to include AI, biotech, and space innovation. George has worked on numerous federal rulemakings and frequently engages with Congress as a subject matter expert and former Hill staffer. Prior to his policy work, George spent nearly a decade as a banker, trader, and analyst for large banks and small private funds.
George also serves as Chief Economist of MilkyWayEconomy, a D.C.-based think tank focused on space industrialization. He is an economics facilitator for the U.S. Space Force and collaborates on space initiatives through a CRADA with SpaceWERX. An accomplished author, he has contributed to eight books on topics ranging from AI and blockchain to space economics and alternative markets.
George serves on several nonprofit boards and teaching appointments, including at Columbia University and the University of New Hampshire Law School. He is a certified risk professional with the Global Association of Risk Professionals and holds a charter with the International Institute of Forecasters. George is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono and holds an MSc in Economics from Johns Hopkins University.
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.
Marnie Russ: State Consultant
Marnie Russ is a government relations professional with deep experience in federal advocacy, appropriations, and public–private partnerships. She began her career working in the aerospace sector, representing major international and domestic clients including United Space Alliance, Mitsubishi, Boeing, and Telespazio, where she supported complex policy, regulatory, and government engagement efforts.
She later founded Rocky Mountain Capitol Consulting, a firm focused on securing federal appropriations for western-based nonprofit organizations and rural communities, having served in the office of Senator Max Baucus (D-MT).
Under her leadership, the firm successfully secured the largest federal grant in the history of the State of Montana, funding a critical sewer infrastructure project for Seeley Lake, Montana. Marnie is known for translating complex federal processes into actionable results for clients operating at both the national and community level.
Marnie is a proud graduate of the University of Montana and lives in Arlington, VA.