I’m a pretty lucky guy. I get to wake up every day and work for causes that I care about, causes that impact millions of Americans. Whether it’s fighting for the rights of Americans with disabilities, working to raise funds and awareness for what will be the museum of the 21st Century, working to elect the first openly LGBT Governor in the United States, fighting to protect our environment and address climate change, or being an advocate against gun violence, I’m living my dream by leading Mida Associates.

My philosophy around working with clients is simple: Strategies aren't worth the paper they are written on if they aren't implemented quickly, the biggest reason people aren't giving is because they aren't being asked, fundraising is a messy process that requires the patience and ability to navigate obstacles, honest advice is the only advice, and fundraising doesn't have to be stressful when it’s for a good cause.

As a seasoned fundraising and political professional, I have personally secured millions of dollars for causes that I care about, worked to elect progressives to office at the local, state, and national level, and have built a solid reputation as a results-driven individual that cares more about making an impact than making a buck. Prior to consulting, I had the honor of working for almost seven years at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, where I served as Vice President of Development.

I’d love to hear from you and find a way to work together. If you’re about making a social impact and are out there for good, then you’re just the type of client Mida Associates is looking to work with. Together, let’s make a difference, raise you resources and awareness, and send you away stronger than when we found you. That’s my promise to everyone Mida Associates works with. 

Advocating for those in need and helping our next generation grow are two ideals I hope to always integrate into my work, and I am always looking for more opportunities to do so. I believe we are all responsible to lead the change we want to see in this world.

I was introduced to the nonprofit world in 2011 when I was selected as a participant in the Global Korean Youth Network Seminar to complete a program on environmental sustainability in South Korea. This opportunity gave me the chance to conquer exciting new challenges and inspired me to pursue my passion of advocating for the preservation of the arts, equity in access to arts education, and human rights in North Korea.  

From September 2013 to January 2015 I decided to step out of my comfort zone and first dove into development and marketing internships at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and then became a Marketing Assistant and George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. I helped develop promotions and partnerships to generate ticket sales and implemented subscriber retention and loyalty programs. I also became proficient in managing email and grassroots campaigns, wrote radio advertisements, and budgeted for pre-performance events.

As a Program Assistant with the National Partnerships team at the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, I helped organize their weeklong Annual meeting for over 500 attendees. I assisted with logistical event preparations, created and presented social media lessons, prepared written materials including session handouts and personalized agendas, and was a point of contact on site to ensure the conference ran smoothly.

As Events and Programs Manager with Mida Associates, I work directly with clients to ensure that events and programs of all sizes are handled with precision and care. I work with vendors across the country to ensure the implementation and execution of programs that bring together top-level stakeholders, including: politicians, corporate leaders, and community advocates.

I graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. As an internationally award-winning classical pianist, I’ve been awarded the opportunities to perform solo and concerto repertoire in venues such as The John F. Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and abroad in South Korea.

Ben Finzel is president and founder of RENEWPR, a communications consulting firm that provides senior-level advice, counsel and outreach on strategy, messaging, media and partnerships to association, corporation, non-governmental, alliance and coalition clients tackling energy and environmental issues and opportunities. 

An experienced Washington public affairs communicator and DC native, Finzel has served as a congressional staffer, presidential appointee and public relations agency executive. Finzel’s career has focused on energy and environment communications and policy, and he has been involved in many of the most significant related issues of the past two decades. 

In senior positions at five communications firms (global, national and boutique), Finzel counseled Fortune 500 companies and major businesses, U.S. government agencies, industry trade associations and non-governmental organizations on public affairs and consumer education campaigns, media outreach and partnership development programs and stakeholder relations strategy and outreach.

As a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the Clinton Administration, Finzel managed the communications operation for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and supported communications activities conducted by Secretary Bill Richardson and Assistant Secretary Dan Reicher.

In legislative and communications staff positions for two Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives (North Carolina’s Tim Valentine and New Mexico’s Bill Richardson), Finzel provided advice and counsel on legislative issues ranging from clean air policy and Superfund clean-up to energy, environmental and science policy and operation of the DOE’s national laboratories.

Finzel is a cum laude graduate of Texas Tech University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in history. He is a former college radio news director, and is conversant in German. 

Finzel is serving his fourth term as member of the Victory Campaign Board of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. He is a long-time member of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. More recently, he has become a member of the Women's Council on Energy and the Environment and an "expert commenter" on OurEnergyPolicy.org. He has guest lectured on public relations and communications for undergraduate and graduate courses at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs and the American University School of Communication. 

You can learn more about this collaboration here.

Sara has lived in all corners of Texas, England, and currently in New York City. From photographing events for Columbia University and Bonobos clothing brand to editorial coverage of Nancy Pelosi and Fashion Week in NYC and London, she has the experience and professionalism to take your business to the next level. With an adventurous spirit, Sara spends her free time photographing the people she meets & places she sees.

Clients: Anthropologie, Bonobos, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Financial Times, Free People, Bergdorf Goodman, JCPenney, Oxford University, Columbia University, Etsy, Verily Magazine, Women's Wear Daily, Dallas Market Center, FD Luxe, Village Voice Media, Entrepreneur Magazine, Home Depot, D Magazine, Refinery29, Shutterfly, Switch Creative Group, Wallflower Management, We Are Films