Director of Client Services & Strategic Communications​

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Mike Westling is a trusted communications strategist and advisor who helps public agencies and mission-driven organizations build support, manage complexity, and communicate with confidence. As Director of Client Services & Strategic Communications at Espousal Strategies, he leads teams that offer audience strategy, messaging, media relations, and crisis communications. Mike also ensures seamless client service across the firm’s portfolio, aligning deliverables, capacity, and objectives to support long-term success.

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Before joining Espousal Strategies, Mike spent nearly a decade at Brink Communications, where he served as Director of Account Services. In that role, he led communications strategy for high-profile campaigns and managed a growing team of account managers and PR strategists, building internal systems and coaching staff to deliver engaging, effective work across a diverse portfolio.

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Mike’s work spans transportation, housing, conservation, education, and health care. His recent work for clients like Smart Growth America, Metro, Washington County, and the Oregon Health and Education Collaborative includes communications strategy, legislative advocacy, campaign toolkits, messaging frameworks, and crisis communications planning. He previously served as Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and began his career working for Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

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Mike holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan and a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.