February 2, 2026 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Cornerstone Government Affairs, an employee-owned, bipartisan government affairs firm, announced today the expansion of its public affairs practice group with the addition of Cassie Smedile. As former Vice President of Marketing at Coign and past Deputy Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, Smedile brings over 15 years of communications experience to her role as Principal.
Smedile, who joined the firm on February 1, was previously Vice President of Marketing at Coign, where she managed a $3.5 million annual marketing budget, implemented branding and advertising strategies to scale the company’s customer base and oversaw the Coign Charity program.
“I’m excited to join this deeply respected organization and work alongside such a talented team. I look forward to drawing on my experience in media, campaigns and the private sector to help clients tell their stories, engage key stakeholders and advance their priorities,” Smedile said.
Prior to her work at Coign, Smedile served as Executive Director of America Rising, where she managed both the organization’s C4 and Super PAC operations. In that role, she developed a sustainable small-dollar fundraising program and oversaw communications efforts.
Smedile spent four years at the Republican National Committee (RNC), where she held roles of National Press Secretary and Deputy Communications Director. She served as a national spokesperson for the RNC, managed communications planning and played a key role in creating and executing the 2020 RNC Convention’s virtual pre-programming.
Her career began on Capitol Hill, where she served as Communications Director for Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), among other Members of Congress.
Smedile frequently appears on national television, radio and podcasts to discuss conservative policy priorities.
Since its launch in 2017, Cornerstone’s public affairs practice group has grown to boast over twenty strategic communications professionals, who serve dozens of clients in industries including health care, energy, retail and technology. Smedile’s hiring marks the third addition to the group in 2026 alone.
Cornerstone’s President, Campbell Kaufman, emphasized the role Smedile will play in supporting clients navigating the evolving media and political landscape.
“I’m pleased to welcome Cassie to Cornerstone’s rapidly growing public affairs practice,” Kaufman said. “Her deep understanding of the media landscape and on-air experience will be a tremendous asset to clients looking to advance their goals across a wide range of platforms.”
Learn more about Cornerstone’s Public Affairs and Strategic Communications practice here.
About Cornerstone
Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc. is a bipartisan, employee-owned, public affairs firm with more than 200 professionals in offices across the country. Through its federal and state government relations; strategic communications; political action committees; grant consulting and advisory services, Cornerstone represents a diverse group of clients from myriad industries and sectors and maintains expertise in a wide range of issue areas, including agriculture, cyber security, defense, education, energy, health, homeland security, international affairs, tax policy, telecommunications and transportation and infrastructure.
Media Contact
Abby Darwin
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Media@cgagroup.com