Services & Capabilities
Strategic Communications
Media Relations & Training
Strategic Communications
Effective communication is more than tactics—it requires a thoughtful strategy. We help organizations evaluate their communication needs, define priorities, align messaging, and develop integrated strategies. Whether its a communications audit, instituting performance metrics, or drafting a strategic communications plan, we provide the foundation that supports your organization's goals.
Crisis Communications
Media Relations & Training
Strategic Communications
With more than a decade of crisis communications experience, we help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from complex situations with confidence. Whether developing crisis communications plans, preparing executive leadership, conducting message development, or responding to an active incident, we provide strategic counsel,
With more than a decade of crisis communications experience, we help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from complex situations with confidence. Whether developing crisis communications plans, preparing executive leadership, conducting message development, or responding to an active incident, we provide strategic counsel, crisis messaging, stakeholder communications, media relations, on-site support, and executive guidance. From public safety events and organizational challenges to reputational issues, we help organizations communicate with transparency, protect trust, and respond thoughtfully when it matters most.
Media Relations & Training
Media Relations & Training
Media relations enables organizations to build credibility and tell their stories effectively. We provide media strategy, outreach to journalists, influencers, and bloggers, develop press materials, prepare spokespeople, and customize media trainings to help individuals and organizations engage confidently with the media.
Collateral Materials
Strong communications begin with compelling content. We develop strategic materials that inform, engage, and inspire action across internal and external audiences. Services include messaging frameworks, social media content, fact sheets, FAQs, presentations, speeches, remarks, newsletters, website copy, annual reports, donor communications, brochures, and more.
Public Engagement
Advocacy Communications
Building community support requires more than sharing information—it requires thoughtful engagement. We help organizations prepare for public meetings, town halls, regulatory proceedings, and stakeholder engagement by assessing community sentiment and developing strategic communications, messaging, and engagement materials. Whether adv
Building community support requires more than sharing information—it requires thoughtful engagement. We help organizations prepare for public meetings, town halls, regulatory proceedings, and stakeholder engagement by assessing community sentiment and developing strategic communications, messaging, and engagement materials. Whether advancing a policy initiative, infrastructure project, or community priority, we help organizations communicate transparently, address concerns, build trust, and foster the understanding and community support needed to move initiatives forward.
Advocacy Communications
Advocacy Communications
Clear communication is essential when navigating advocacy initiatives. We help organizations develop strategic messaging and communications that educate stakeholders, build awareness, and foster understanding. Services include stakeholder and coalition communications, grassroots and grasstops engagement, op-eds, letters to the editor, public-facing messaging, and thought leadership content.
Caitlin O'Connor, Principal
Caitlin O'Connor is the Founder and Principal of Lantern Strategies, a strategic communications consultancy dedicated to helping organizations navigate complex communications challenges with confidence and purpose. With more than 15 years of experience, Caitlin has advised executive leaders and elected officials, developed strategic communications initiatives, guided organizations through high-profile issues, and built stakeholder trust across the corporate, nonprofit, government, healthcare, and advocacy sectors.
Prior to founding Lantern Strategies, Caitlin served as Senior Director at Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, where she led the firm's Pittsburgh office. Throughout her tenure at the firm, she led strategic communications for a professional sports organization in support of the 2026 NFL Draft, served as the communications lead for one of Pennsylvania's largest behavioral healthcare providers—including directing communications for a large-scale organizational merger, led strategic communications for the VoteSafe Pennsylvania coalition during the contentious 2020 election, managed communications and stakeholder engagement for the second-largest municipal sewer system acquisition in Pennsylvania history, and provided on-site crisis communications support for a Fortune 50 energy company during a significant, prolonged incident in Ohio.
Previously, Caitlin served as Director of Public Relations & Communication Initiatives for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, where she modernized and led the organization's communications function under former Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, supporting regional transportation, economic development, executive communications, and public engagement initiatives across the 10-county region.
Earlier in her career, Caitlin spent more than seven years working for former Congressman Tim Murphy and Senator Arlen Specter. With experience on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania, she worked across legislative affairs, public policy, constituent engagement, and community outreach, developing a deep understanding of how organizations, elected officials, and communities navigate complex issues. Those experiences continue to shape her strategic approach to communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement.
Caitlin earned a Master's degree in Public Relations & Corporate Communications from Georgetown University and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, magna cum laude, from The George Washington University. She is also certified in Crisis Communications from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).