We're well-seasoned organizers with nearly 30 years of combined campaign management, political strategy, and grassroots advocacy experience. Our passion is ensuring organizations, candidates, and companies are motivated to improve the lives of people and that they have the tools and operational systems to achieve tangible results. That's why we cut through the BS and deliver useful strategies to jumpstart and improve your programs from day one.
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Currently fully booked and not taking on new clients
Justin is an experienced organizer and advocate. His wide-ranging policy reform expertise includes issues such as marijuana, criminal justice, campaign finance, progressive tax, and wage fairness. He also has more than a decade of electoral campaign experience in federal, state, and local races across 13 different states. He is also currently a partner at Unfiltered Media.
Since his return to Cleveland after the pandemic, Justin has joined the Guardians for Fair Work campaign which successfully worked to enact wage theft provisions in both Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. He is a member of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus Steering Committee and the Executive Committee of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. All of this is in hopes of building a happier, more equitable, and justice-centered hometown.
Justin spent nearly a decade in cannabis policy and has made an impression on nearly every single federal bill or amendment introduced or considered to address prohibition, from minor tweaks to its outright repeal. He has advised top leaders in Washington, DC and played a significant role in the strategies employed to make historic advancements towards ending the 80+ year injustice. He was proud to be a part of the Marijuana Justice Coalition and United for Marijuana Decriminalization.
Justin enjoys going to the batting cages, a good dive bar with Dana and/or friends, and strategizing on how to make the world a better place.
Justin Strekal
Partner
Dana Bye
Partner
Dana is an experienced policy advocate and campaign manager. Prior to co-founding Useful Strategies, Dana served as the Campaign Director for Tax March, a national nonprofit focused on advocating for tax fairness through grassroots lobbying and targeted paid communications. During the 2020 cycle, Dana built and directed a $7 million statewide economic accountability campaign educating Wisconsinites about former President Trump's disastrous economic policies. In 2018, Dana led Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger to a victory against Tea Party darling, Dave Brat, in Virginia's “Strong Republican” 7th Congressional District.
In 2021, Dana began law school at Cleveland State University College of Law. Over the last three years, she has served on the Student Bar Association, directed a day-long symposium about democracy and the fight for its future, completed three tours of duty at the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office, and externed with a Federal District Judge. She has also volunteered her time on local judicial campaigns and with the Guardians for Fair Work campaign.
Dana enjoys singing karaoke, a good dive bar with Justin and/or friends, and growing the most beautiful mammoth sunflowers you can imagine.