Who We Are
Sue Zoldak, DC media Peeps Founder
Sue Zoldak is the Founder and Hostess of DC Media Peeps. She founded Peeps in 2013 as a way to informally gather her own network. Today, it has grown to over 2,000 members and is one of the most well-known happy hours in DC for public affairs, communications, and advertising professionals. Sue believes deeply in the power of networking and is there to help you get going. If you haven't met already, introduce yourself.
Sue creates ground-breaking digital and social media campaigns, builds grassroots coalitions, and provides leading-edge advertising and media strategy. She succeeds by bringing a Madison Avenue mentality to public affairs, unafraid to bring uncommon ideas to the table. Determined to get inside the mind of audiences and find out what gets them to act, Sue tirelessly seeks to deploy the right tools, but only as part of a sound strategy. She is the founder of the Zoldak trilogy, The Zoldak Agency, Zoldak Victory, and Zoldak Research.
To read more about Sue’s background, visit The Zoldak Agency and her personal website, SueZoldak.com.
MARK AMES, DC Media Peeps Editor in Chief
Mark Ames is a senior government relations leader with over 20 years of experience who blends behavioral science expertise with data-driven advocacy to achieve transformative policy outcomes. Known for his entrepreneurial approach, Mark has reshaped how organizations influence public policy, building coalitions, mobilizing grassroots efforts, and driving organizational growth.
As Chief Advocacy Officer at the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), Mark delivered historic wins, including securing the organization’s first federal grant—a $500,000 CDC pandemic-response award—and boosting grassroots engagement by 850% from 2022 to 2024. His innovative strategies have led to groundbreaking federal and state legislation and regulations, with AIHA cited in over 2,000 policy documents.
A nationally recognized leader, Mark has been honored as one of the nation’s Top Lobbyists by The Hill, the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics, and the Advocacy Association. His achievements extend beyond policy to coalition leadership, with key roles in the Build America’s School Infrastructure Coalition (BASIC), High-Performance Buildings Coalition, and ASAE’s Advocacy Council.
Mark’s unique ability to connect strategy with human behavior fuels his success in leadership and mentoring. He is deeply committed to supporting others in their journey to excellence, mentoring emerging leaders, and sharing his expertise through public speaking, webinars, online courses, his Leader Ladder newsletter, and book, The 30-Minute Leader: Your Guide to Influence, Power, and Transformation, which provides actionable insights into leadership, management, and personal growth.
Mark earned his Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors from The American University in Washington, DC, is a Certified Association AI Professional (AAiP), an Education Policy Fellow, and holds multiple certificates in artificial intelligence and transformative leadership. Active in nonprofit leadership, he continues to advance policy solutions that improve lives and build a better future.
Connect with Mark via LinkedIn and his personal website at 30minuteleader.com.
Kousha Kangarloo, DC Media Peeps Events Director
Kousha is an experienced consultant and communications professional based in the DMV who is very adept and skilled in creative writing, social media management, content creation, market research, data analysis, event planning, and community outreach/engagement.
Kousha earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Science from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a focus on International Business and Marketing Communications.
He also do freelance work helping entrepreneurs, small, and mid-sized businesses to grow and expand through strategic planning, public/media relations, referrals, business development, sales and lead generation.
Connect with Kousha via LinkedIn