Team
Our 110+ group of award-winning communications specialists, led by our expert senior management team, cover all key markets in the USA, Europe, APAC and ANZ.
Striving to provide impactful results on a daily basis, our talented team of communications specialists has vast experience in the technology sector and use their knowledge and skills to achieve success for our clients.



James Carter
CEO
James has built a global communications agency focused on delivering outstanding work for some of the world’s most exciting and innovative business and technology brands. His vision is to provide an integrated and strategic communications platform that delivers impact and value to clients at global scale. His agency has been regularly recognised as one of the market leaders by the likes of PR Week, O’Dwyer’s and Forrester Research.

Emily Gallagher
Global Executive VP
Emily has been with Touchdown for 10 years. She has been part of the B2B tech PR scene for over 20 years and is particularly experienced in taking VC-funded start-ups and private equity investments through the IPO and M&A process. Originally from the UK, Emily now heads up Touchdown’s office in Austin, Texas.
Munich
Austin
Lesley Booth
Managing Director – EMEA
Lesley has worked in B2B tech PR for over 20 years and, most notably, with big brands such as IBM and Skype. Lesley leads Touchdown’s Security and Communications Practice in EMEA and is crucial in onboarding new business and maintaining strong client relationships.
Ben Ralph
Managing Director – UK
Originally a law graduate, Ben moved into communications after working in technology sales. With experience ranging from cyber security, networking and unified communications to HCM, consumer technology and industrial design, Ben works with the Touchdown UK team to deliver results-focused PR campaigns for some of the most exciting and ambitious technology brands in the world.

Natacha Favry
VP - Touchdown FRANCE
Natacha is a seasoned communications professional and leads Touchdown in France. She has a keen interest in social media’s rapidly expanding role within the PR space and has stayed ahead of the curve in the media landscape.

Freddy Staudt
VP - Touchdown DACH
Freddy has been heading up Touchdown’s DACH business since 2012. With more than 15 years as a communications specialist, he has helped over 100 tech companies achieve their PR visions.
Sydney
Paris

Katie Schaeffer
Senior VP - Operations
Katie’s background, which includes nearly 15 years as a PR and Communications professional, combined with her knack for process and detail makes her uniquely suited for Touchdown’s Business Operations Manager role. She is responsible for ensuring Touchdown’s Austin office runs smoothly, professionally and efficiently.

Alyssa Pallotti
Vice President
With nearly a decade of B2B tech PR experience, Alyssa is a tenacious media relations professional with a keen interest in and focus on cybersecurity. She plays a major role in leading specific accounts and in advising the Austin, Texas team.
Amsterdam
Sydney
Hannah Sobolewski
Account Director
Hannah is one of Touchdown’s long-serving team members. Highly organised with a keen eye for detail, she leads accounts for a variety of exciting B2B technology brands. Her areas of experience range from storage, cybersecurity, disaster recovery & backup, and cloud services.

Jocelyn VerVelde
Account Director
Strategic communications professional with a decade of experience, Jocelyn brings both in-house and agency experience to the table. She leads multiple accounts for Touchdown, creating and implementing communications strategies to help clients achieve relevant and desired results.

Derrick Shannon
Account Director
Derrick has spent years cultivating high-level business and media relationships in the tech industry and beyond. He’s committed to strategically and tactically creating comprehensive PR strategies to fit any objective for his clients. And, with an ability to anticipate game changing opportunities and market complexities he’s able to engineer the most advantageous solutions for his clients on a regular basis.
London
Herzliya
Alison Denham
HR Lead
With an extensive background in healthcare PR, Alison is an HR business partner with a special interest in leadership development, employee engagement and diversity and inclusion.

James Carter
CEO
James has built a global PR agency focused on delivering outstanding work for some of the world’s most exciting and innovative business and technology brands. His vision is to provide an integrated and strategic PR platform that delivers impact and value to clients at global scale. His agency has been regularly recognised as one of the market leaders by the likes of PR Week, O’Dwyer’s and Forrester Research.

Emily Gallagher
Global Executive VP
Emily has been with Touchdown for 10 years. She has been part of the B2B tech PR scene for over 20 years and is particularly experienced in taking VC-funded startups and private equity investments through the IPO and M&A process. Originally from the UK, Emily now heads up Touchdown’s office in Austin, Texas.

Lesley Booth
Managing Director - EMEA
Lesley has worked in B2B Tech PR for over 20 years and, most notably, with big brands such as IBM and Skype. Lesley leads Touchdown’s Security and Comms Practice in EMEA and is crucial in onboarding new business and maintaining strong client relationships.

Ben Ralph
Managing Director - UK
Originally a Law graduate, Ben moved into PR after working in technology sales. With experience ranging from cyber security, networking and unified communications to HCM, consumer technology and industrial design, Ben works with the Touchdown UK team to deliver results-focused PR campaigns for some of the most exciting and ambitious technology brands in the world.

Natacha Favry
VP - Touchdown FRANCE
Natacha is a seasoned PR professional and leads Touchdown in France. She has a keen interest in social media’s rapidly expanding role within the PR space and has stayed ahead of the overhaul in the media landscape.

Freddy Staudt
VP - Touchdown DACH
Freddy has been heading up Touchdown’s DACH business since 2012. With more than 15 years as a PR professional, he has helped over 100 tech companies achieve their PR visions

Eric Dragt
VP - Touchdown BENELUX
Eric is an experienced PR professional with over 15 years’ experience in tech PR, both B2B and B2C and leads Touchdown in Benelux.

Katie Schaeffer
Senior VP - Operations
Katie’s background, which includes nearly 15 years as a PR and Communications professional, combined with her knack for process and detail makes her uniquely suited for Touchdown’s Business Operations Manager role. She is responsible for ensuring Touchdown’s Austin office runs smoothly, professionally and efficiently.

Alyssa Pallotti
Vice President
With nearly a decade of B2B tech PR experience, Alyssa is a tenacious media relations professional with a keen interest in and focus on cybersecurity. She plays a major role in leading specific accounts and in advising the Austin, Texas team.

Hannah Sobolewski
Account Director
Hannah is one of Touchdown’s long-serving team members. Highly organised with a keen eye for detail, she leads accounts for a variety of exciting B2B technology brands. Her areas of experience range from storage, cybersecurity, disaster recovery & backup, and cloud services.

Derrick Shannon
Account Director
Derrick has spent years cultivating high-level business and media relationships in the tech industry and beyond. He’s committed to strategically and tactically creating comprehensive PR strategies to fit any objective for his clients. And, with an ability to anticipate game changing opportunities and market complexities he’s able to engineer the most advantageous solutions for his clients on a regular basis.

Jocelyn VerVelde
Account Director
Strategic communications professional with a decade of experience, Jocelyn brings both in-house and agency experience to the table. She leads multiple accounts for Touchdown, creating and implementing communications strategies to help clients achieve relevant and desired results.

Alison Denham
HR Lead
Joining Touchdown back in 2017 as the Operations Manager, Alexandra was responsible for running all international operations between the American and European offices. She recently moved into a new role at Touchdown as the Brand and Marketing Manager.

Alexandra Morris
Brand and Marketing Manager
Joining Touchdown back in 2017 as the Operations Manager, Alexandra was responsible for running all international operations between the American and European offices. She recently moved into a new role at Touchdown as the Brand and Marketing Manager.
Join our team!
We’re always on the look our for new talent. So, if you’re looking to be part of an inclusive company that offers support, training and career development opportunities, browse our careers page here and join our team of communication specialists.