About Cielo Strategic
Cielo Strategic is a Los Angeles–based, Latina-owned communications and public affairs firm. We specialize in helping mission-driven organizations and companies lead with influence, clarity, and power—especially in moments of transformation. Our expertise spans media strategy, executive positioning, and policy-centered narrative development. We have successfully supported high-visibility campaigns at the intersection of immigrant justice, housing equity, and democratic values.
We bring a culturally grounded, politically astute approach to everything we do—working as trusted partners who understand the nuance of movement work and the stakes of this moment.
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Connie Llanos has more than 15 years experience working with elected leaders and decision makers, and leading winning teams working at the intersection of policy, advocacy, strategic communications, crisis management, and coalition building. She’s led multi-faceted teams in periods of rapid change, launched high stakes winning campaigns during periods of disruption, and secured landmark policy wins that significantly impacted LA’s policy landscape. The proud daughter of Colombian immigrants, Connie brings her bilingual and bicultural lens to every project she works on and a commitment to lifting up underrepresented voices.
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Nicole Serrano leads messaging strategy, media outreach, and public relations campaigns for mission-driven clients. Nicole brings a dynamic background in political strategy including her time at 50+1 Strategies, where she managed local,
congressional, and statewide races and partnered with national organizations working in key battleground states.Nicole has supported prominent progressive leaders in competitive races, including Karen Bass for Mayor of Los Angeles, Katie Porter for Congress, and Planned Parenthood Votes. Nicole began her career in public service with policy and communications roles in the office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Nicole has also held senior leadership roles on campaigns across the country, including deputy campaign manager for Andrea Campbell’s mayoral run in Boston, Massachusetts
organizing director for the Biden/Harris 2020 campaign, and deputy campaign manager for Jesse Mermell’s congressional campaign. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with honors from the University of Southern California.
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With over a decade of combined experience in public service, communications, and organizing, Lisa has spent her career harnessing the power of storytelling to help shift hearts and minds. She started her career as an organizer where she helped child care providers fight for the right to form a union and ran a civic engagement campaign that secured the passage of district election ballot measures in several Central Valley cities. Lisa then spent a significant portion of her career in the public sector, working for the City of Los Angeles and the State of California in communications and legislative capacities. Through these experiences, Lisa refined her ability to distill complex issues into accessible and compelling messaging. Lisa also has experience working in the private sector where she executed public affairs strategies in non-profit, housing, health, technology, energy and sports sectors—further informing her communications approach. A proud daughter of immigrants and dedicated Angeleno, Lisa is a firm believer in the transformative power of a strategically deployed, well-crafted narrative.
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Gabriela brings a values-driven approach to public affairs that emphasizes accessibility, storytelling, and civic empowerment. Gabriela leverages her background in community engagement, local government, and digital media to support clients across public, private, and philanthropic sectors. At Cielo Strategic Communications, Gabriela has led planning and operations, stakeholder engagement, press outreach and engagement, and narrative development. Through her work, she helps mission-driven organizations articulate their vision and connect authentically with their audiences.