YSPH-SBS 525 Seminar Series: Adrienne Kimmell, Spark Solutions

Adrienne Kimmell is the founder of Spark Solutions, a strategic consulting firm at the intersection of communications, psychology, and politics. A pioneer in messaging research grounded in behavioral and cognitive science, Adrienne has helped create an understanding of the interplay between emotion and voting behavior. As Reproductive Freedom for All’s (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America) Acting President and chief research and communications officer, Adrienne led the charge to reframe reproductive freedom messaging to resonate with broader audiences and mobilize people to take action in support of the freedom to decide if, when, and how to raise a family. In 2020, Adrienne ran Reproductive Freedom for All’s largest-ever independent expenditure program, helping elect champions for reproductive freedom up and down the ballot in states across the country.

Before joining Reproductive Freedom for All, she served as executive director at the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which advances women’s equality and representation in U.S. politics. There, she led cutting-edge research on women candidates, oversaw grantmaking, engaged women in the political process, and advised women across the country running for office. As Executive Director of the Florida Association / Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, Adrienne led the state’s electoral and advocacy strategy.

In over 20 years fighting for progressive causes, Adrienne has served as an organizational leader, leading sophisticated political programs, leveraging message research, and deploying electoral and legislative strategies at the federal and state levels. Her commentary has appeared in national publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Politico, The Atlantic, USA Today, and NPR.