Bright Spark Strategies

We love the work we do, we love the clients we serve, and we know that our service and experience is unparalleled.

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Our Team

Kristin Combs

Kristin Combs

Founder

Kristin Combs is a partner at Bright Spark Strategies. She brings more than 20 years of experience curating and spearheading political campaigns.

Kristin is the only person to have served as the Executive Director of both the Michigan House and Senate Republican Campaign Committees; managing all facets of caucus operations including multi-million dollar budgets and overseeing the most highly targeted races in the state each election cycle. In addition to her caucus work, she's run local ballot initiatives, millage proposals, state legislative races, recalls, statewide and congressional races, and independent expenditure efforts. In addition to her campaign experience, Kristin has worked with various organizations on complex public relations and public affairs projects. She prides herself on the ability to connect with the public and capture public sentiment in even the most challenging environments. She is a skillful project manager, budgeter and campaign finance expert with just enough legislative experience to balance it all out. Kristin's work has led to historic wins in Michigan for Republican candidates and organizations for more than a decade and it is work that she is proud of.

Kristin currently volunteers in various positions with the American Association of Political Consultants and on the Michigan Leadership Council for The Policy Circle.

Heather Lombardini

Heather Lombardini

Founder

Heather Lombardini is a partner at Bright Spark Strategies and has spent more than two decades in Michigan politics. She leads the fundraising team at Bright Spark Strategies.

Heather's team is focused on issue advocacy, campaign strategy, donor relations and PAC solicitation. Her immense knowledge of political fundraising strategies and relationships with legislators and business leaders throughout the state have fueled client growth, campaign wins and state fundraising records. Her work extends to national consulting and fundraising for issues and coalitions ranging from energy and environmental causes to Chamber and business advocacy, automotive and technology initiatives and education and non-profit issue management

Before starting Bright Spark Strategies, Heather served as managing partner of Lambert, worked for the Michigan Senate Republicans and the Michigan House Republicans where she served in staff leadership, as Legislative Director for a former Speaker, and as Member Finance Director.

Ellen Kletzka

Ellen Kletzka

Corporate Controller

Ellen Kletzka serves as the corporate controller for Bright Spark Strategies. As the corporate controller, overseeing the firm’s office operations, she is responsible for finances, logistics, and event planning. She also manages bookkeeping services for political and non-profit clients.

Before joining the firm, Ellen spent over 10 years at Compuware, serving as Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Services and an Account Executive for the company’s education and training department.

With over 25 years of experience in office management, client relations, campaign finance, and confidential fund administration, Ellen keeps the firm’s trains running on time, and has been a significant contributor to the company’s accomplishments over the last decade.

Lauren Johnson

Lauren Johnson

Finance Assistant

Lauren Johnson serves as the Finance Assistant at Bright Spark Strategies.  

Prior to joining Bright Spark Strategies, she served as the Metadata Project Manager for a University-based online archive and worked in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Her areas of interest are project management, organization, and analytics. At Bright Spark Strategies, Lauren will primarily focus on office management, bookkeeping, and fundraising.

Lauren graduated from Michigan State University with a Major in International Relations and a minor in Russian.

Taylor Porrett

Taylor Porrett

Account Manager

Taylor Porrett serves as the Account Manager at Bright Spark Strategies.  

Prior to joining the firm, she was an Account Executive with GCSI Association Services. She also previously worked in the Michigan House Republican Constituent Relations department as a Communications Specialist and as a Regional Press Secretary with the Michigan Republican Party.  

Taylor has vast experience with association management, social media and event planning. She possesses strong research skills and great attention to detail.

Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a specialization in Public Relations from Michigan State University.

Joe Easterwood

Joe Easterwood

Communication Manager

Joe Easterwood serves as the Communication Manager at Bright Spark Strategies.

Prior to joining the firm, he was a commission sales associate intern at Aflac.

Joe comes to Bright Spark Strategies as a new alumnus of the University of Michigan. At Bright Spark, Joe will primarily focus on working with the media, managing client content and relationships, and facilitating client communications. Joe holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and Media from the University of Michigan, where he learned how to ensure that the people within and outside of an organization have access to the right message. Joe will help Bright Spark clients skillfully craft a message that will meet their goals and objectives.

Joe attended Romeo High School where he was a member of both the Varsity Golf and Football teams. In his free time, Joe golfs, plays his guitar, and recently took up skiing. He also enjoys spending time in Northern Michigan at his family cottage on Torch Lake.

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Bright Spark Strategies transformed our campaign with their outstanding political consulting and strategic insight. Their personalized approach to developing a strategic plan, combined with their fundraising expertise, made all the difference. Bright Spark’s unwavering commitment and meticulous execution have proved them to be indispensable partners in my political journey.

-Jamie