Team

We are a nimble team of seasoned professionals with a great list of associates representing the best of class in their field. We excel at first understanding the needs of our clients and then assembling a team with the right mix of skills to get the work done -­ on time, on budget, and with measurable results.

Cate Millar Sweeney
President

After working on a statewide political campaign and in development for the Oregon Symphony, Cate joined McCaw Cellular (dba Cellular One) and, as a Director of Marketing and Communications and then Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, supported the company through its acquisition by AT&T, Cingular, and then, again, the new AT&T. Her wide-ranging experience with AT&T Wireless included serving as an acquisition team liaison for employee communications, regional lead for the AT&T Foundation, running a national third-party stakeholder program for Cingular, and coordinating regional communications for the first iPhone launch. Following AT&T, Cate spent four years as a small business owner and partner in Lindberg/Kirk/Millar (LKM), working with local governments and nonprofits. After LKM was acquired by Fleishman-Hillard (FH), a leading global communications firm, she worked as a Senior Vice President on national and international brand teams, including AT&T, Dow Corning Sustainable Textiles, P&G, and Tata Consultancy Services, and local organizations like Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling and Norm Thompson. Her practice focused on public affairs and public relations, marketing and corporate communications, corporate philanthropy and sustainability, and mission-driven organizations and products. She was co-Chair of FH's Retail Practice Group, a founding member of FH Global Aid, and a member of its sustainability and public affairs practice groups. Cate left FH to work as Mayor Tom Potter’s Interim Director of Communications before joining Gameplan in 2010. Since then, Cate has worked for several clients as an outsourced executive focusing on public affairs and public relations, corporate and marketing communications, organizational and resource development, strategic planning, and management and growth strategy. She currently serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for the D27 Foundation.

Kelsey McAlpine
Vice President & Chief Operations Officer

Kelsey has worked at Gameplan for more than ten years, contributing to ever-growing responsibilities for a wide range of clients. For Oregon Wave Energy Trust (OWET), Kelsey provided administrative and operating support and managed the organization's website, social media, and other electronic communications. She was also an integral part of the team planning and producing the annual Ocean Renewable Energy Conference. Next up, Kelsey served as the Director of Marketing and Operations for the Leftbank Annex, one of the premier large event venues in Portland. Kelsey hired, trained, and managed staff for the Annex and managed facilities and vendor relations. She was also responsible for marketing and communications, including website, social media, design, and client relations, including all aspects of sales and service. Kelsey is now providing communications and operating support for the D27 Foundation and is a versatile and organized member of the team. Kelsey is known for her get-it-done work ethic and calm and steady presence. Her clients love her.

Joanna Agee
Vice President

Communication and relationship building have defined Joanna's professional roles and accomplishments. An experienced speaker and writer, and skilled manager of people, Joanna worked intermittently with Alora Development in various capacities from 2007 to 2020. There, she played a critical role in the development of the Lefbank Annex and Leftbank Project: participating in early conceptual discussions, developing web content and collateral, handling communications and PR, and single-handedly executing the leasing plan for the Leftbank Project. Prior to working with Alora, she served as the Director of Art from the Heart – a community art program for people with developmental disabilities, for 10 years. Joanna joined the Gameplan team in 2021 and is currently serving as the Program Officer for the D27 Foundation.