Meet the Team
Leslie Shedd
Founder & President Leslie Shedd is the founder and president of Rising Communications. Over the course of more than 15 years, Leslie has served as a senior communications advisor to Members of Congress – including two former committee chairmen – Fortune 500 companies, and both U.S. Senate and presidential candidates, guiding clients through complex political, policy, and reputational challenges at the highest levels.
Throughout her career, Leslie has designed and executed winning communications strategies across the country, helping clients shape narratives, engage key audiences, and drive measurable outcomes. She has also cultivated deep, trusted relationships with journalists, editors, and bookers at top national and international media outlets, giving her a deep understanding of how stories move and, crucially, how to place them effectively. That experience allows her to anticipate media dynamics, identify opportunities before they emerge, and ensure her clients’ messages break through a crowded and fast-moving news environment.
In addition to her client work, Leslie is a recognized expert on national security and foreign policy. She serves as a Nonresident Fellow at the Atlantic Council and as a Board Member of the Special Operations Association of America. She is a frequent commentator on major national and international television and radio programs, and her insights regularly appear in top-tier U.S. and global media outlets. Whether advising clients behind the scenes or contributing to the public conversation, Leslie brings a disciplined, informed perspective shaped by years of experience at the intersection of policy, politics, and media.
Avery Kunkel
Associate Avery is a Strategic Communications major at the University of Colorado Boulder with a passion for storytelling, brand strategy, and media relations. At Rising Communications, she supports public relations efforts by assisting with campaign development, crafting messaging, and helping manage client-facing communications. Avery is committed to creating meaningful, authentic narratives that connect organizations with their audience.