HPS Announces New Managing Director Michael LaRosa And New Director Brendan Conley

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Hamilton Place Strategies (HPS) announced today that Michael LaRosa and Brendan Conley have joined the firm as managing director and director, respectively.

“I’m very excited to welcome Michael and Brendan to our team,” said Christina Pearson, a partner at HPS. “Their wealth of experience from the White House, Capitol Hill, and the campaign trail will be extremely valuable as we advise clients who are navigating complex and high-stakes communications challenges. We’re looking forward to the contributions they will make from day one.”

LaRosa joins HPS from the White House, where he served as press secretary to the First Lady and special assistant to the president. Prior to the White House, Michael was chief spokesperson to Dr. Jill Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign; communications director for the House Democratic Policy Communications Committee in the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi; communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; and a producer for Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s Hardball.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work alongside so many of the talented communicators here at HPS,” said LaRosa. “I’m looking forward to working with our clients to identify solutions to the complex public affairs problems they face each day.”

Conley joins HPS from Senator Joni Ernst’s (R–IA) office on Capitol Hill where he served as communications director for Iowa. Conley also served on Sen. Ernst’s 2020 reelection campaign as her communications director. Prior to joining Sen. Ernst’s team, Conley worked in the office of Representative Bruce Poliquin (R–ME), first as a legislative correspondent, and then as his press secretary and communications director. Conley also worked on Bruce Poliquin’s 2018 campaign as his communications director.  

“HPS has a stellar reputation for providing exceptional insight and services and for taking on some of the most pressing issues of the day,” said Conley. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this uniquely talented, experienced, and dynamic team.”