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 it's a communications audit, establishing 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 through strategic earned media. We develop media strategies, conduct outreach to journalists, influencers, and bloggers, prepare press materials, coach spokespeople, and provide customized media training to help organizations engage confidently with the media.
Content Development
Strong communications begin with compelling content. We create strategic communications materials that educate, engage, and inspire action across internal and external audiences. Services include messaging frameworks, presentations, speeches, remarks, newsletters, annual reports, website copy, donor communications, brochures, fact sheets
Strong communications begin with compelling content. We create strategic communications materials that educate, engage, and inspire action across internal and external audiences. Services include messaging frameworks, presentations, speeches, remarks, newsletters, annual reports, website copy, donor communications, brochures, fact sheets, FAQs, social media content, and other customized communications materials.
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 strategies. 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 strategies. Whether advancing a policy initiative, infrastructure project, or community priority, we help organizations communicate transparently, address concerns, build trust, and earn the community support needed to move initiatives forward.
Advocacy Communications
Advocacy Communications
Successful advocacy requires thoughtful communications that inform, engage, and inspire action. We develop strategic messaging that builds awareness, educates stakeholders, and advances policy and organizational objectives. Services include coalition communications, grassroots and grasstops engagement, public-facing messaging, op-eds, letters to the editor, and thought leadership.
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 spent nearly nine years with Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, most recently serving as Senior Director and leading the firm's Pittsburgh office. Her work included leading strategic communications for a professional sports organization supporting the 2026 NFL Draft; serving as communications lead for one of Pennsylvania's largest behavioral health providers, including directing communications for a large-scale organizational merger; leading strategic communications for the VoteSafe Pennsylvania coalition during the contentious 2020 election; managing communications and stakeholder engagement for the second-largest municipal sewer system acquisition in Pennsylvania history; and providing 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 serving in the offices of 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 also holds a Crisis Communications Certificate from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).