Get to know us.
Get to know us.
Ethan Smith
Founding Partner
ethan@upswingresearch.com
Ethan Smith
Founding Partner
ethan@upswingresearch.com
Ethan Smith is the founder of Upswing Research and Strategy.
He has provided Democratic campaigns, progressive causes, non-profits, and government institutions with public opinion research, strategic advice, and messaging guidance for nearly a decade. Ethan has also moderated hundreds of focus groups across the country.
Ethan has earned a track record of helping clients defy the odds to win tough races. In 2018, Ethan helped win 3 new state legislative majorities and pick up dozens of seats across 6 chambers in Washington, Connecticut, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. Ethan also was part of the research team that helped flip 4 congressional seats in Washington, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
In 2021, Ethan helped Mayor Ed Gainey become the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh, defeating a two-term incumbent despite being outspent 3 to 1.
In 2022, he helped Congresswoman Summer Lee defy millions of dollars in corporate super PAC spending to become Pennsylvania’s first Black Congresswoman. He also helped Congresswoman Susan Wild win reelection despite nearly every race rater calling her race Lean Republican. Ethan led research that helped flip the Minnesota Senate, giving Tim Walz unified government for the first time in his governorship.
Prior to starting Upswing, Ethan worked at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. There he conducted quantitative and qualitative research across the country. Before joining GQR, Ethan spent nearly a decade in the field on campaigns, working his way up from field organizer to caucus director at the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee. He served on campaign teams at almost every level of the ballot, learning the ins and outs of campaigns from the ground up.
A proud Pittsburgh native and openly gay, Ethan earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history at the University of Pittsburgh. He currently lives in Washington, DC.
Ethan Smith is the founder of Upswing Research and Strategy.
He has provided Democratic campaigns, progressive causes, non-profits, and government institutions with public opinion research, strategic advice, and messaging guidance for nearly a decade. Ethan has also moderated hundreds of focus groups across the country.
Ethan has earned a track record of helping clients defy the odds to win tough races. In 2018, Ethan helped win 3 new state legislative majorities and pick up dozens of seats across 6 chambers in Washington, Connecticut, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. Ethan also was part of the research team that helped flip 4 congressional seats in Washington, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
In 2021, Ethan helped Mayor Ed Gainey become the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh, defeating a two-term incumbent despite being outspent 3 to 1.
In 2022, he helped Congresswoman Summer Lee defy millions of dollars in corporate super PAC spending to become Pennsylvania’s first Black Congresswoman. He also helped Congresswoman Susan Wild win reelection despite nearly every race rater calling her race Lean Republican. Ethan led research that helped flip the Minnesota Senate, giving Tim Walz unified government for the first time in his governorship.
Prior to starting Upswing, Ethan worked at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. There he conducted quantitative and qualitative research across the country. Before joining GQR, Ethan spent nearly a decade in the field on campaigns, working his way up from field organizer to caucus director at the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee. He served on campaign teams at almost every level of the ballot, learning the ins and outs of campaigns from the ground up.
A proud Pittsburgh native and openly gay, Ethan earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history at the University of Pittsburgh. He currently lives in Washington, DC.
Ethan Smith is the founder of Upswing Research and Strategy.
He has provided Democratic campaigns, progressive causes, non-profits, and government institutions with public opinion research, strategic advice, and messaging guidance for nearly a decade. Ethan has also moderated hundreds of focus groups across the country.
Ethan has earned a track record of helping clients defy the odds to win tough races. In 2018, Ethan helped win 3 new state legislative majorities and pick up dozens of seats across 6 chambers in Washington, Connecticut, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. Ethan also was part of the research team that helped flip 4 congressional seats in Washington, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
In 2021, Ethan helped Mayor Ed Gainey become the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh, defeating a two-term incumbent despite being outspent 3 to 1.
In 2022, he helped Congresswoman Summer Lee defy millions of dollars in corporate super PAC spending to become Pennsylvania’s first Black Congresswoman. He also helped Congresswoman Susan Wild win reelection despite nearly every race rater calling her race Lean Republican. Ethan led research that helped flip the Minnesota Senate, giving Tim Walz unified government for the first time in his governorship.
Prior to starting Upswing, Ethan worked at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. There he conducted quantitative and qualitative research across the country. Before joining GQR, Ethan spent nearly a decade in the field on campaigns, working his way up from field organizer to caucus director at the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee. He served on campaign teams at almost every level of the ballot, learning the ins and outs of campaigns from the ground up.
A proud Pittsburgh native and openly gay, Ethan earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history at the University of Pittsburgh. He currently lives in Washington, DC.
Jake Engle
Partner
jake@upswingresearch.com
Jake Engle
Partner
jake@upswingresearch.com
Jake Engle is a Partner at Upswing, where he leads research and communications projects for a range of clients at Upswing. A proven strategic partner, he helps develop data-driven strategies that deliver real-world results.
With expertise in opinion research, crisis communications, and strategic storytelling, he specializes in turning complex insights — especially about social media, public opinion, and online misinformation — into actionable strategies that move the needle.
Jake has partnered with hundreds of political, nonprofit, and corporate clients worldwide, including Harris for President, the DNC, DSCC, DCCC, and Governors JB Pritzker (IL) and Josh Shapiro (PA).
A proud Vermont native, Jake earned dual degrees in Public Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University. Before joining Upswing, he cut his teeth at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) and directed wide-ranging projects at a social impact firm.
Jake Engle is a Partner at Upswing, where he leads research and communications projects for a range of clients at Upswing. A proven strategic partner, he helps develop data-driven strategies that deliver real-world results.
With expertise in opinion research, crisis communications, and strategic storytelling, he specializes in turning complex insights — especially about social media, public opinion, and online misinformation — into actionable strategies that move the needle.
Jake has partnered with hundreds of political, nonprofit, and corporate clients worldwide, including Harris for President, the DNC, DSCC, DCCC, and Governors JB Pritzker (IL) and Josh Shapiro (PA).
A proud Vermont native, Jake earned dual degrees in Public Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University. Before joining Upswing, he cut his teeth at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) and directed wide-ranging projects at a social impact firm.
Jake Engle is a Partner at Upswing, where he leads research and communications projects for a range of clients at Upswing. A proven strategic partner, he helps develop data-driven strategies that deliver real-world results.
With expertise in opinion research, crisis communications, and strategic storytelling, he specializes in turning complex insights — especially about social media, public opinion, and online misinformation — into actionable strategies that move the needle.
Jake has partnered with hundreds of political, nonprofit, and corporate clients worldwide, including Harris for President, the DNC, DSCC, DCCC, and Governors JB Pritzker (IL) and Josh Shapiro (PA).
A proud Vermont native, Jake earned dual degrees in Public Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University. Before joining Upswing, he cut his teeth at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) and directed wide-ranging projects at a social impact firm.
Kristi Lowe
Partner
kristi@upswingresearch.com
Kristi Lowe
Partner
kristi@upswingresearch.com
Kristi is a Partner at Upswing Research and Strategy, where she leads strategic communications and campaign work. She is a political and communications strategist, as well as an opinion researcher, with over 20 years of experience working on research-driven campaigns for elected office, government policy, advocacy, reputation management, and more. Kristi specializes in translating research-based insights into messages and creative content that influence opinion and create change.
Prior to joining Upswing, Kristi was a Partner at a social impact agency, a media company, and an opinion research firm. Across her leadership in these organizations, she has advised heads of state, government officials, national election campaigns, and progressive political parties around the world. Kristi developed and executed innovative and strategic campaigns by leading teams of communications professionals, creative and art directors, researchers, and social media strategists. She has conducted hundreds of surveys and focus groups in more than 15 countries and guided several leaders and political parties to electoral victory.
Closer to home, Kristi has overseen national and statewide research in the United States. With a particular passion for qualitative research, she has personally moderated hundreds of focus groups and elite in-depth interviews with extensive experience interviewing policymakers, politicians, senior journalists, business executives, academics and other senior stakeholders.
Kristi also brings experience helping leading brands solve complex reputation challenges with politically-inspired campaigns. She was a Managing Director at a public relations agency where she translated insights into strategic communications plans and creative advertising content to help brands tell a compelling story.
A native of the Washington DC area, Kristi graduated from the College of William and Mary. She lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood with her husband and their three children.
Kristi is a Partner at Upswing Research and Strategy, where she leads strategic communications and campaign work. She is a political and communications strategist, as well as an opinion researcher, with over 20 years of experience working on research-driven campaigns for elected office, government policy, advocacy, reputation management, and more. Kristi specializes in translating research-based insights into messages and creative content that influence opinion and create change.
Prior to joining Upswing, Kristi was a Partner at a social impact agency, a media company, and an opinion research firm. Across her leadership in these organizations, she has advised heads of state, government officials, national election campaigns, and progressive political parties around the world. Kristi developed and executed innovative and strategic campaigns by leading teams of communications professionals, creative and art directors, researchers, and social media strategists. She has conducted hundreds of surveys and focus groups in more than 15 countries and guided several leaders and political parties to electoral victory.
Closer to home, Kristi has overseen national and statewide research in the United States. With a particular passion for qualitative research, she has personally moderated hundreds of focus groups and elite in-depth interviews with extensive experience interviewing policymakers, politicians, senior journalists, business executives, academics and other senior stakeholders.
Kristi also brings experience helping leading brands solve complex reputation challenges with politically-inspired campaigns. She was a Managing Director at a public relations agency where she translated insights into strategic communications plans and creative advertising content to help brands tell a compelling story.
A native of the Washington DC area, Kristi graduated from the College of William and Mary. She lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood with her husband and their three children.
Kristi is a Partner at Upswing Research and Strategy, where she leads strategic communications and campaign work. She is a political and communications strategist, as well as an opinion researcher, with over 20 years of experience working on research-driven campaigns for elected office, government policy, advocacy, reputation management, and more. Kristi specializes in translating research-based insights into messages and creative content that influence opinion and create change.
Prior to joining Upswing, Kristi was a Partner at a social impact agency, a media company, and an opinion research firm. Across her leadership in these organizations, she has advised heads of state, government officials, national election campaigns, and progressive political parties around the world. Kristi developed and executed innovative and strategic campaigns by leading teams of communications professionals, creative and art directors, researchers, and social media strategists. She has conducted hundreds of surveys and focus groups in more than 15 countries and guided several leaders and political parties to electoral victory.
Closer to home, Kristi has overseen national and statewide research in the United States. With a particular passion for qualitative research, she has personally moderated hundreds of focus groups and elite in-depth interviews with extensive experience interviewing policymakers, politicians, senior journalists, business executives, academics and other senior stakeholders.
Kristi also brings experience helping leading brands solve complex reputation challenges with politically-inspired campaigns. She was a Managing Director at a public relations agency where she translated insights into strategic communications plans and creative advertising content to help brands tell a compelling story.
A native of the Washington DC area, Kristi graduated from the College of William and Mary. She lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood with her husband and their three children.
Kelsey Suter
Partner
kelsey@upswingresearch.com
Kelsey Suter
Partner
kelsey@upswingresearch.com
Kelsey Suter is a Partner at Upswing, where she leads digital engagement and social listening work. She has advised hundreds of progressive advocacy organizations, sitting prime ministers and foreign governments, democracy-building NGOs, and multinational corporations – helping them turn up the volume on their own messaging and develop digital strategies that build trust with audiences.
Kelsey has a special focus on countering online propaganda and disinformation. Since 2020, she has helped lead a first-of-its-kind effort advising the progressive space to detect and counter political disinformation ahead of the presidential and midterm elections. She has been cited in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post, Politico, and various research publications.
With a background in both research and strategic communications, Kelsey has worked at Drive Agency, GQR Research, and APCO Worldwide. In this work, Kelsey spent time embedded with political campaigns around the world, managed large-dollar digital ad campaigns, and secured top-tier media coverage for clients. She is also a trained focus group moderator and has conducted hundreds of focus groups worldwide.
She has an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science and English from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota.
Kelsey Suter is a Partner at Upswing, where she leads digital engagement and social listening work. She has advised hundreds of progressive advocacy organizations, sitting prime ministers and foreign governments, democracy-building NGOs, and multinational corporations – helping them turn up the volume on their own messaging and develop digital strategies that build trust with audiences.
Kelsey has a special focus on countering online propaganda and disinformation. Since 2020, she has helped lead a first-of-its-kind effort advising the progressive space to detect and counter political disinformation ahead of the presidential and midterm elections. She has been cited in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post, Politico, and various research publications.
With a background in both research and strategic communications, Kelsey has worked at Drive Agency, GQR Research, and APCO Worldwide. In this work, Kelsey spent time embedded with political campaigns around the world, managed large-dollar digital ad campaigns, and secured top-tier media coverage for clients. She is also a trained focus group moderator and has conducted hundreds of focus groups worldwide.
She has an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science and English from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota.
Kelsey Suter is a Partner at Upswing, where she leads digital engagement and social listening work. She has advised hundreds of progressive advocacy organizations, sitting prime ministers and foreign governments, democracy-building NGOs, and multinational corporations – helping them turn up the volume on their own messaging and develop digital strategies that build trust with audiences.
Kelsey has a special focus on countering online propaganda and disinformation. Since 2020, she has helped lead a first-of-its-kind effort advising the progressive space to detect and counter political disinformation ahead of the presidential and midterm elections. She has been cited in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post, Politico, and various research publications.
With a background in both research and strategic communications, Kelsey has worked at Drive Agency, GQR Research, and APCO Worldwide. In this work, Kelsey spent time embedded with political campaigns around the world, managed large-dollar digital ad campaigns, and secured top-tier media coverage for clients. She is also a trained focus group moderator and has conducted hundreds of focus groups worldwide.
She has an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and a BA in Political Science and English from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota.