Messaging that fights. Mail that wins.

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Tia Nearmyer

Founding Partner

Maura Tracy

Founding Partner

Mike McCollum

Executive Vice President

Megan Renner

Chief of Staff

Laura Hardy

Director of Campaigns

Steve Lindaman

Production Director

Nicole Steig

Art Director

At Valkyrie, our name is inspired by the fearless female warriors, who embodied strength, strategy, and decisive leadership—values we bring to every campaign.

As a proud women-owned and operated, Democratic direct mail firm, we channel that same fearless spirit into our work, crafting data-driven, strategic communications that inspire action and drive victories.

Founded by two seasoned campaign and mail veterans, we dive into the trenches of your cause from day one.

For us, there’s no cookie cutter approach to campaigns, and no challenge we won’t help you fight your way through. We deliver creative, authentic and impactful direct mail –  but that’s just the start.

We help candidates, staff and organizations succeed through hands-on, personalized strategies drawn from years of campaign work in the most hotly contested battleground races.

With innovation, integrity, and passion, we help campaigns and causes win—because when we fight with purpose, we win together.

How We Win

Meeting Voters Where They Are

We understand that most voters aren’t immersed in politics like we are—they’re busy with their daily lives. While decisions made in the state capitol and in D.C. have a major impact, many voters don’t tune in until the last minute. Our job is to tell the candidate’s story in a way that resonates, connecting real issues to their everyday experiences. We strive to help voters see themselves in the candidate to build trust and a connection.

Creative That Delivers Results

At Valkyrie, creativity isn’t just about design—it’s about making mail impactful, engaging, and persuasive. We blend data-driven strategy with bold, innovative messaging to capture attention and drive action. Every campaign is unique, and we craft original pieces that connect with the right voters at the right time.

A Team You Can Count On

We’re reliable, adaptable, and deeply rooted in campaigns. Campaigns move fast, and we’re always ready to respond, problem-solve, and deliver—no matter the challenge. Our founding partners have done it all—from field to campaign management—so we understand how to support your team beyond the mailbox. We’re in the trenches from day one, solving problems, refining strategy, and executing every detail with care.

Our Work

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Tia Nearmyer

(she/her)
Founding Partner

Tia Nearmyer is a Democratic strategist and campaign leader with 20+ years of experience crafting winning paths in the toughest battlegrounds. She began her career in state and federal government before spending nearly a decade on the front lines of mayoral, congressional, gubernatorial, and presidential campaigns. Since 2016, she has led high-impact political mail programs built to move persuadable voters and protect narrow margins.

Her work helped flip the Minnesota Senate and the Virginia House. In 2024, she led the DLCC’s Wisconsin independent expenditure program, breaking a veto-proof Senate majority, and served as Senior Advisor for the Harris/Walz ticket in Nebraska—protecting the “blue dot” and securing Harris’ only swing-state win.

Based in Des Moines, Tia balances campaign life with family time alongside her husband and two energetic boys.

Maura Tracy

(she/her)
Founding Partner

Maura Tracy is a Democratic strategist and campaign leader with 15+ years of experience winning competitive races through disciplined strategy and sharp voter-focused messaging. She began her career in Wisconsin politics, managing legislative campaigns and playing a key role in the Scott Walker recall. In 2012, she led the field program that flipped Illinois’ 10th Congressional District for the first time in 30 years, and in 2016, she managed a pivotal red-to-blue victory in Minnesota.

Since 2017, Maura has built award-winning direct mail programs at every level of the ballot. She led AFSCME’s national mail strategy in 2022, helping elect Senator John Fetterman and key Nevada Democrats, and in 2024 was part of the team that helped add 10 Democrats to the Wisconsin Assembly.

Based in Madison, Maura competes in agility with her Pomeranians, Boris and Cosmo, and builds spin class playlists that hit as hard as her messaging.

Mike McCollum

(he/him)
Executive Vice President

Mike McCollum is an award-winning journalist turned Democratic strategist with more than a decade of experience leading campaign and paid media strategy in some of the nation’s toughest races. He combines a storyteller’s instinct with strategic discipline to build integrated programs that sharpen contrast and move voters.

He began his political career on President Obama’s re-election campaign and has since held senior leadership roles on the Clinton and Warren presidential campaigns, served as a congressional campaign manager, Michigan House caucus director, and national political director. His experience spans message, media, and management at every level of the ballot.

Based in Athens, Georgia, Mike lives with his wife, son, two hounds, and a pair of mischievous twin cats—and will happily debate the staying power of physical media.

Megan Renner

(she/her)
Chief of Staff

Megan Renner is an operations strategist and direct mail leader with 15+ years of experience building the infrastructure that powers winning campaigns. She has led complex mail programs for legislative caucuses and independent expenditures across battleground states, where precision and timing determine outcomes.

At Valkyrie, Megan runs the machine—overseeing budgeting, HR, project management, vendor coordination, and internal systems to ensure every program executes flawlessly. She thrives under pressure, tightening processes, eliminating risk, and turning campaign chaos into disciplined execution.

Based in Ohio, Megan enjoys exploring new restaurants with her husband, planning family vacations, and keeping up with her son, Charlie.

Laura Hardy

(she/her)
Director of Campaigns

Laura Hardy is a Democratic strategist with over a decade of experience in building high-performing direct mail, fundraising, and paid communications programs nationwide. She partners with candidates up and down the ballot to craft persuasive, data-driven mail that connects with voters and drives results.

In 2022, she led Rep. Nabeela Syed’s primary and general election direct mail strategy, helping power an upset victory in Illinois’ HD-51 and electing one of the first Muslims and youngest members to the State House. Previously at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, she helped raise $58 million through large-scale direct mail and grassroots fundraising programs and supported more than 45 Red-to-Blue and Frontliner campaigns with tailored fundraising strategy.

Based in North Carolina, Laura is passionate about helping campaigns communicate with clarity and purpose—and unwinds by traveling, reading, and being bossed around by her husky.

Steve Lindaman

(he/him)
Production Director

Steve Lindaman brings nearly two decades of print and direct mail production experience to Valkyrie, with deep expertise in managing complex mail programs under the tightest campaign timelines. He began his career on the production floor of a union print and mail facility, giving him hands-on knowledge of every stage of the printing and mailing process from a printer’s point of view.

Over the past decade, Steve has led production for political direct mail programs across the country, overseeing high-volume, high-stakes mail in races at every level of the ballot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and steady leadership, he brings a calm, disciplined presence to even the most chaotic moments: keeping vendors aligned, timelines intact, and every piece landing accurately and on schedule.

Based in Iowa, Steve balances campaign cycles with a love of sports and staying active. 

Nicole Steig

(she/her)
Art Director

Nicole Steig is a branding expert with more than a decade of experience in the political direct mail arena. She has cultivated stand-out logos and mail for candidates up-and-down the ballot nationwide. She makes sure every piece gets the same attention to detail and well-crafted storytelling.

After starting her career in the corporate world, Nicole started working with Democratic campaigns in order to make positive change in the world. Since then, she has helped more than a hundred campaigns connect with voters and clearly communicate important messages. Her work has been recognized with multiple awards for design and branding from the Pollie and the Reed Awards. 

Based in central Iowa, Nicole loves to travel with her spouse and children with a goal to visit all 50 states together and always has a book (or two!) in hand.