Our Team


Tadd Schwartz President tadd@schwartz-media.com A veteran public relations counselor with more than 16 years of experience in media relations, marketing, digital media, and strategic communications, Tadd has created successful campaigns for regional, national and multi-national companies and organizations. Respected by clients and journalists for his industry knowledge, resourcefulness, and grasp of the national and regional media landscape, Tadd plays an active role in partnering with clients to achieve their business goals and raise their community profile. Prior to founding Schwartz Media Strategies in 2005, Tadd was a partner at Miami-based rbb, where he led the firm’s corporate and real estate practices. He previously held an executive position with the Florida office of Weber-Shandwick, one of the world’s largest public relations agencies. He also worked on the staff of Florida Senator Bob Graham in Washington, D.C. Tadd is active in several organizations, including Developing Minds Foundation, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and Miami Art Museum. A native of Miami, Tadd earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.
Aaron W. Gordon Vice President aaron@schwartz-media.com Aaron manages accounts in the firm’s real estate, hospitality, financial services, arts, and healthcare practices and helps drive its marketing and social media divisions. Before joining Schwartz Media Strategies, Aaron served as creative director for The Weinbach Group, a marketing and advertising firm in Miami. Previously, Aaron managed external communications for the campaign of former Missouri Governor Bob Holden and a U.S. congressional campaign. In 2001, he directed community and public relations for ArtSouth, a non-profit arts and cultural center in Homestead, Florida. Aaron, a Miami native, earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where he majored in political science, art history, and archaeology. He is active in Shake-A-Leg Miami, Washington University’s Regional Cabinet, as well as the University’s Alumni and Parents Admissions Program, for which he serves as chair.
Alisha Marks Vice President alisha@schwartz-media.com Alisha leads the firm’s professional and legal services and municipal affairs practices, and plays an active role in driving clients' media relations, marketing, and social media initiatives. Before joining Schwartz Media Strategies, Alisha served as senior account executive for rbb, where she directed communications strategy for the firm’s corporate and non-profit clients. Alisha previously worked at Fletcher Martin Public Relations in Atlanta, Georgia, managing media relations for several full-service law firms. She has served as the Southeast area manager for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), one of the nation’s most powerful advocacy organizations. Here, she oversaw grassroots mobilization, political communications and community outreach efforts throughout the southern states. Alisha serves as co-chair of the American Jewish Committee's young leadership group. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, where she studied political science and communications.
Kelly Penton Vice President kelly@schwartz-media.com Kelly spearheads media relations and marketing campaigns while providing strategic counsel for the firm’s professional and legal services and municipal affairs clients. She has more than a decade of experience in public relations and community affairs, having served as director of communications for the City of Miami and press secretary in the Office of the Mayor from 2001-2009. Before joining Schwartz Media Strategies, she directed communications for FairDistrictsFlorida.org, a successful statewide redistricting reform campaign. Kelly serves on the steering committee for Miami Art Museum's MAM Contemporaries young professionals group and on the board of directors for the Injured Officers Assistance Fund. A Miami native, Kelly earned a master's in business administration from Florida international University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the Florida State University.
Yanet Obarrio-Sanchez Vice President yanet@schwartz-media.com Yanet leads public relations and marketing campaigns for the firm’s real estate, hospitality and consumer clients. With more than a decade of in-house and agency public relations experience, Yanet brings a strong communications background in the nonprofit, banking, energy, real estate, business-to-business and consumer sectors. Prior to joining Schwartz Media Strategies, Yanet spearheaded all public relations and social media efforts for United Way of Miami-Dade County. She previously served as a primary media contact and spokesperson for Florida Power & Light (FPL) and was a member of Washington Mutual’s national public relations team. Originally from Havana, Cuba, Yanet grew up in Miami and graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication. She is active in United Way Young Leaders and Women’s Leaderhip groups.
Yudi Fernández Sr. Account Executive yudi@schwartz-media.com Yudi develops and manages proactive media relations and marketing on behalf of clients in the firm's real estate and financial services practices. Before joining Schwartz Media Strategies, Yudi worked as a real estate and business reporter for Miami Today, where she covered new projects and reported on residential and commercial market trends. Raised in Miami, Yudi is actively involved in the community. She is a graduate of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Miami program and has served as a facilitator. For years, she has been a volunteer and supporter of Women of Tomorrow, a Miami-based mentoring and scholarship program for young women. Yudi is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration at Nova Southeastern University and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in business at the University of Florida.
Allie Schwartz Sr. Account Executive allie@schwartz-media.com Allie manages client accounts, conducts proactive media outreach, and coordinates marketing and social media efforts on behalf of clients in the firm’s commercial real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and arts practices. Prior to joining Schwartz Media Strategies in 2008, Allie served as marketing manager for Hallandale, Florida-based A. Present Realty Group and in the guest services division of Morgans Hotel Group. She earned her bachelor's degree from Florida International University, where she majored in public relations.
Jami Baker Sr. Account Executive jami@schwartz-media.com Jami supports client account management, proactive media outreach, and community relations and marketing strategies on behalf of clients in the firm’s legal and corporate practices. Prior to joining Schwartz Media Strategies, Jami was an Account Executive at Boardroom Communications, where she worked on a variety of professional services accounts including law firms, real estate companies and non-profits. A native of South Florida, Jami attended University of Florida where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration. She began her career working at a full service promotional and events planning company, Social Studies Inc., in Gainesville, Florida and was a contributing writer for the Campus Edition of the Gainesville Sun. She also worked as Director of Events for “First & 15,” a philanthropic partnership between UF Student government and the Tim Tebow Foundation. Jami is a member of the Miami Maccabi World Union Young Leaders Board, the Children’s Bereavement Center Young Professionals Board and works as VIP Coordinator at Art Miami, Miami’s original and longest-running contemporary art fair.
Julia Bennett Account Executive julia@schwartz-media.com Julia supports client account management, proactive media outreach, social media campaigns, and community relations and marketing strategies within the firm’s hospitality, consumer and nonprofit practices. She previously held internships at Treskoi Public Relations, The Children's Home Society of Florida and Principle Creative, Inc. Julia earned her master’s degree in communications from Florida International University and her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida. She is an active member and volunteer at several animal rescue organizations including Paws4You rescue and Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue
Jennifer Schwartz Special Events Partner jennifer@anjesoirees.com Jennifer Schwartz is a founding partner with Anjé SOIREES, a Miami-based event production firm specializing in social and corporate affairs including fundraising galas, product launches, networking parties and media events. The firm serves as Schwartz Media Strategies' exclusive special events partner. Prior to founding Anjé SOIREES, Jennifer served as marketing and special events coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, where she assisted in the development of fundraising initiatives and targeted events. She began her career with Details Etc., working hand-in-hand with the principal of the firm in managing corporate events throughout South Florida. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Hospitality Management.