Liz Irons
Washington, DC – Reservoir Communications Group has welcomed five new members to its team, including Chrystine Zacherau as a Senior Vice President, and Lauren Kotwicki and Grace Montgomery as Vice Presidents. Their unique backgrounds, including clinical and issue expertise and rapid-response communications, deepen the firm’s broad prowess in health care strategic communications and public affairs.
Chrystine comes to Reservoir from APCO Worldwide, where she was a founding member of the firm’s research arm. Chrystine has helped some of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, health systems, provider and patient organizations, and non-profits significantly improve their communication and thought leadership with rigorous opinion research. Chrystine has authored numerous studies that amplify and engage health stakeholders on timely topics, including the integral role of nurses, the essential value of vaccines and the ability of patients to be active decision-makers in their care. Chrystine brings a unique perspective as a registered nurse and continues to practice at vaccine clinics and volunteer for Mayanza, a non-profit organization focused on transforming Guatemalan communities by improving the health of school-aged children and their mothers. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Marist College, a B.S. in Nursing from George Mason University, and a M.A. in Survey Research Methodology from the University of Connecticut.
Lauren joins Reservoir following more than a decade of public affairs experience in the federal government. Most recently, she served as a Senior Communications Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she managed communications for HHS and USDA’s development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Prior to that, Lauren served as a Public Affairs Officer for the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General at HHS, where she managed communications and media throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response and opioid epidemic. Her experience also includes roles at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lauren holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Grace returns to Reservoir as a Vice President with a deep background in health policy, research, and public affairs. Grace started her career at Reservoir in 2016 as an Associate and has rejoined the team after a year working at RF|Binder, where she led media and corporate communications work for clients across the education, energy, biotech, and food and beverage sectors. Through her time at Reservoir, Grace has gained expertise in innovative biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, as well as key policy issues facing the health care industry. Grace holds a B.S. in International Health from Georgetown University.
Reservoir also announced the additions of Ankitha Gangarapu and Madelyn Sykes, further expanding the firm’s health policy and communications expertise.
Ankitha joins Reservoir as an Associate with a background in community health and policy research. As a graduate student, they interned with the Houston-based organization, Doctors for Change, to advocate for access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ youth in Texas. Ankitha holds a Master’s in Public Health with a specialization in Community Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health.
Madelyn also comes to Reservoir as an Associate, leveraging strategic communications and public health advocacy experience. Prior to joining the team full-time, Madelyn was an intern with Reservoir and engaged with a wide variety of clients, helping to meet their business and policy objectives. Madelyn graduated Summa Cum Laude from The George Washington University with a B.S. in Public Health and a minor in French Language, Literature, and Culture.
About Reservoir Communications Group
Reservoir Communications Group is a leading health care consultancy focused on helping clients address their most important challenges and opportunities in reputation, advocacy and brand strategy. Learn more at www.reservoircg.com.