CEO
Lee Caraher
Lee Caraher solves the problems everyone else avoids.
Double Forte
About
Who we are
Double Forte has spent 24 years proving that great communication isn’t an accident – it’s strategy paired with flawless execution.
We’re an independent PR and strategic communications agency built on decades of experience guided by a simple idea: business results come from connecting our clients with the people who matter most to their success. No fluff, no theory for theory’s sake – just work that moves the needle.
Senior advisors don’t remain at a distance, they work shoulder to shoulder with professional account teams. That means seasoned judgment is embedded directly into the day-to-day decisions, and team members are developed, guided, and empowered to deliver.
Double Forte has spent 24 years proving that great communication isn’t an accident – it’s strategy paired with flawless execution.
We’re an independent PR and strategic communications agency built on decades of experience guided by a simple idea: business results come from connecting our clients with the people who matter most to their success. No fluff, no theory for theory’s sake – just work that moves the needle.
Senior advisors don’t remain at a distance, they work shoulder to shoulder with professional account teams. That means seasoned judgment is embedded directly into the day-to-day decisions, and team members are developed, guided, and empowered to deliver.
We build good businesses through communication
Strategic POV
Good companies achieving their business goals make the world a better place. We exist to help good companies achieve their business goals through communication.
Seek radical clarity
We communicate with radical clarity, sharing facts, context and intent efficiently to drive good decision-making.
We are a force for good
We use our talents to strengthen communities and create opportunities.
We are a team
We collaborate, communicate proactively, and hold ourselves and each other accountable to commitments
Everyone contributes
Everyone participates equitably, shares ideas openly, and is actively resourceful.
We trust each other
We assume good intent from our colleagues, clients, and partners always.
We get sh*t done well
We deliver quality work accountably, welcome feedback and learning, and maintain high standards.
Love what we do
We find joy in our work and share that fun daily.
Plays well with others
We play well together, respecting differences, seeking to understand, and celebrating others’ accomplishments.
Do not give up easily
We persist through challenges, stay flexible, and avoid dwelling on negativity.
Partners Through Defining Moments
We’re proud to have helped these companies get acquired, merge, launch brands, and transcend crises. Our former clients are our largest source of referrals for potential new clients and new employees.
Our Senior Team
CEO
Lee Caraher
Lee Caraher solves the problems everyone else avoids. She’s a sought-after advisor to C-Suites navigating critical inflection points, known for cutting through complexity with practical, business-driving solutions. Her range, across industries, business models, and high-stakes situations, lets her ask the right questions, see around corners, and plot long-term strategy for everyone from scrappy startups to Fortune 100 companies.
Lee is the author of Millennials & Management and The Boomerang Principle. A straight talker with a big laugh that’s gotten her out of plenty of trouble, she’s built a reputation for cohesive, high-producing teams that get a lot done well—and have fun doing it.
EVP
Liz O'Donnell
Liz doesn't just tell stories—she shapes them.
EVP
Liz O'Donnell
Liz doesn’t just tell stories—she shapes them. She fuses PR savvy, marketing instinct, and strategic know how, with sharp writing to guide clients’ campaigns and content strategy. Her path spans leading marketing for an international flooring company to driving strategic content and media programs for everyone from Fortune 100 giants to scrappy tech startups.
An award-winning author of two books on working women balancing career and caregiving, Liz also built and runs an online community thousands strong. Her blog was named one of Fortune’s Best Blogs for Women, multiple years running – proof that when Liz has something to say, people listen.
EVP
Maggie Zeman
Maggie Zeman turns "meh" into magnetic.
EVP
Maggie Zeman
Maggie Zeman turns “meh” into magnetic. At Double Forte, she leads the beverage practice with spark and strategy, finding the heartbeat of a brand and making it impossible to ignore. After 15 years in Sonoma and 6 in Manhattan, Maggie now calls Kansas City home—blending bi-coastal edge with heartland warmth. Certified by CIA Wine School and the Court of Master Sommeliers, she goes all in, always.
Creative Director
Matt Afflixio
Matt Afflixio doesn't chase trends; he sets them.
Creative Director
Matt Afflixio
Matt Afflixio doesn’t chase trends; he sets them. Nationally known for turning brand strategy into unforgettable, media-genic experiences, he cuts through the noise to deliver results that actually move the needle. As Creative Director, Matt brings 25+ years of making “it” happen to every corner of the agency’s client portfolio.
His approach is rooted in cultural listening, consumer insight, and relentless innovation, because he knows audiences evolve, and brands have to evolve faster. Leading a cross-functional team, Matt crafts everything from hero content and activations to high-impact events and next-gen communications platforms. His work with clients big and small doesn’t just keep pace, it sets the tone for what’s next.
VP
Catherine Bormann
Catherine Bormann turns brands into cultural players.
VP
Catherine Bormann
Catherine Bormann turns brands into cultural players. A senior media strategist, she builds narratives that scale from regional to national impact. Before PR, she ran a broadcast newsroom of 20+ reporters—sharpening the editorial instinct she now brings to executive positioning and high-stakes campaigns at Double Forte. Her work sits at the intersection of media relations, thought leadership, and experiential strategy, fueling brand equity and acquisition readiness. Trusted by founders and executives across the Midwest, New York, and San Francisco, she simplifies complex narratives, spots white space, and aligns strategy with business goals.
VP
Tricia Denci
Tricia gets it done—whatever it takes.
VP
Tricia Denci
Tricia gets it done—whatever it takes. She brings sharp marketing instincts and creative flair to every client, from national brands to local boutiques, turning unique stories into media-ready narratives. Over 10+ years, she’s built the agency’s influencer network from the ground up, driving results across wine, food, hydration, and tech. A relentless researcher, Tricia stays ahead of trends and tracks the ever-shifting media landscape to keep her clients out front.
VP, Research & Insights
Katherine Gotts
Katherine is the secret weapon behind smart decisions.
VP, Research & Insights
Katherine Gotts
Katherine is the secret weapon behind smart decisions. With 15+ years in information services, she arms organizations, from consumer products and financial services companies to enterprise tech and nonprofits, with the insights they need to set goals, make sharp strategic calls, and prove the value of their communications. A relentless analytical thinker, she’s held roles at Access Brand Communications, the American Cancer Society, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She holds degrees from Texas Woman’s University and UT Austin.
Diversity
Statement
DEI Commitment
Double Forte is committed to inclusion and diversity across our organization. Our differences make us stronger and better equipped to serve clients and communities well. We build bridges of understanding and work with active respect, because it’s a strategic advantage and, more importantly, the right thing to do. Each year, we dedicate significant staff hours to supporting traditionally underrepresented founders.
Careers
Hiring Pitch
At Double Forte, our best work happens together. We’re accountable; we do what we say, on time, and we never leave teammates hanging. We trust each other and create a safe space to share wins, problems, and everything in between.
If you’re collaborative, play well with others, and bring a can-do attitude to a career in PR and communications, let’s talk.
Drama llamas need not apply.
At Double Forte, our best work happens together. We’re accountable; we do what we say, on time, and we never leave teammates hanging. We trust each other and create a safe space to share wins, problems, and everything in between.
If you’re collaborative, play well with others, and bring a can-do attitude to a career in PR and communications, let’s talk.
Drama llamas need not apply.