TEAM
We are one team.
In the ever-evolving world of campaign compliance, we embrace a growth mindset, ready to scale operations quickly and effectively.
From Partner to Intern, we are united in our approach, valuing every voice and fostering collaboration to support our clients and each other.
Josie Olsen
Partner, she/her
Josie brings over a decade of compliance experience to Acuity, having worked with clients across the country. From helping first-time local candidates get their campaigns off the ground to managing the compliance operations of top tier U.S. Senate races, she believes in an integrated approach that best serves the needs of each committee.
Josie grew up in California's Mojave Desert before moving to San Luis Obispo and graduating with honors from Cal Poly. A job with a non-profit in disaster preparedness and the desire for abundant rainfall brought her to the Pacific Northwest in 2013. She began her career in campaigns with an initial interest in fundraising, but she ultimately stayed for compliance. Never forgetting her past disaster preparedness training, Josie is ready to organize whatever campaign chaos you throw her way.
She lives in the Seattle area with her partner where they unwind with absurdly long walks around the neighborhoods. Her nephews and nieces describe her as “super duper fun” and she works hard to maintain the reputation as their favorite aunt.
John Roberson
Partner, he/him
John is a compliance consultant and tech developer with over eight years of experience in political compliance and finance. Having entered the world of campaign finance through a series of internships at the North Carolina Democratic Party, John specializes in state party committees, including leading the 2024 compliance operations of the Pennsylvania and Virginia state parties. In addition, John has worked for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, from District Court to U.S. Senate, as well as for multi-entity organizations and independent expenditure committees. With a passion for automating processes, he combines his technical skills with an expertise in compliance regulations to provide trusted, efficient support to progressive causes.
John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Honors in Public Policy and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. When he isn’t singing along to Spotify’s entire Broadway catalog, he spends his free time tending to his vegetable garden, designing imaginary infrastructure in city-building games, or planning his next world adventure – be sure to ask him where he’s headed to next! He spent recent years in Asheville, North Carolina with his partner Ryan and their two dogs, Rebel and Rascal.
Shayne Thoman
Partner, he/him
An avid enthusiast of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering, as well as a devout lover of cooking incredibly complex meals, Shayne is a huge fan of rules. With over a decade of campaign experience, he has used his love of rules, focus on systems building, and thoughtful communication style to help clients navigate the intricate world of campaign finance. Over the course of his career, Shayne has lent his expertise and leadership to candidates and political organizations across the country.
Raised by a union-strong family in Kansas City, Shayne attended the University of Kansas for his degree in political science and economics and spent the four years following his graduation in North Carolina working in campaign compliance and fundraising. He now lives in Washington, DC with his adorable tuxedo cat, Conway Kitty, and spends his free time trying to destroy his loving boyfriend at their monthly Garmin step challenge.
Makayla Clay
Compliance Associate, she/her
Makayla is a DMV native who got her start working in politics during the 2024 election cycle. She graduated from Towson University where she earned her degree in Psychology. She found her passion in operational and HR work, ensuring teams have the tools and structure to do the best work possible. Now, she has entered the world of compliance with the same spirit of efficiency and passion and wants to ensure clients can adhere to regulations with ease.
In her free time, Makayla runs a music blog where she shares her playlists and opinions. You can find her at just about any concert as she enjoys many different genres. When she isn’t listening to the latest album, she is starting a new crochet project. She is currently mastering tapestry crochet!
Matthew Marshall
Senior Compliance Associate, he/him
While attending Washington and Lee University, Matthew got his start working in politics knocking doors in the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After spending time in both organizing and fundraising, Matthew has spent over three years working in compliance, ensuring clients in jurisdictions across the country receive the best services possible. His diverse campaign background gives him the knowledge and work ethic to tackle any problem that may arise.
When he’s not at work, you can find Matthew playing disc golf, cheering for the Orioles at Camden Yards, or exploring Capitol Hill books. He believes deeply in the power of organized labor, and he loves the music of Willi Carlisle and The Mountain Goats, so look for him at venues across the district!
Ashlyn Pinter
Senior Compliance Associate, she/her
Ashlyn has over four years of experience in political finance and compliance at the state and federal levels. In the 2022 cycle, she worked at the Michigan House Democratic Fund, supporting frontline incumbent members in fundraising and compliance. The team that she was a member of successfully flipped the chamber from red to blue, creating the first Democratic trifecta in Michigan in over 40 years. In the 2024 cycle, she was the Finance Director for Curtis Hertel’s red-to-blue race in Michigan that raised nearly $8 million. Ashlyn enjoys helping Democratic candidates at all levels run successful compliance operations enabling them to spend more time in their communities. She is excited to bring a fundraising perspective to the compliance side of campaigns.
Raised by a high school government teacher and proud union member, Ashlyn was involved in politics at a young age. She learned the power of advocating for causes you care about and graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in political science. In her free time, she enjoys walking at a local park, reading, or doing a new puzzle. She employs a controversial puzzle-solving strategy which involves starting with the middle pieces and putting the edge pieces together at the very end. Currently, Ashlyn resides in Lansing, MI with her beloved cat, Blake Shelton.
Marisa Mark
Compliance Client Manager, she/her
From local candidates to national races, Marisa has been helping navigate the complex and ever-changing world of campaign finance for over six years. Throughout her career, she’s gained in-depth knowledge of campaign finance laws, budgeting, and financial reporting. Her focus is on creating streamlined, efficient systems that allow candidates to focus on their message, knowing their finances are in good hands.
Outside of work, Marisa is a fan of board games, enjoying a friendly competition with friends and family. Marisa is also an avid cross-stitcher, creating intricate designs in her downtime. She finds peace and creativity in the repetitive art of stitching which also reflects her attention to detail and patience in her professional life. When not immersed in her hobbies, Marisa can be found relaxing at home with her two cats, Lucy and Rosie, who are always ready to offer a bit of company and comfort after a busy day!
With a blend of professional expertise and personal passion, Marisa is dedicated to supporting campaigns in their financial strategy and success.
