Our History

Chuck McDonald founded McDonald Public Relations in January 1996 as a sole practitioner. McDonald’s firm quickly grew into a full service public relations/public affairs firm specializing in litigation public relations, communications support for legislative issues, and crisis communications. More than two decades later, the firm has a hard-earned reputation for delivering results in high profile public policy campaigns and grassroots organizing strategies that produce direct, measurable results.

McDonald Public Relations is grounded in one simple principle. There are no shortcuts. To obtain tangible results and move the needle of public perception on the client’s issue takes hard work and real relationships— with the media—with elected officials—with key allies and with the grassroots base.

Our Team

Chuck McDonald

Chuck McDonald founded McDonald Public Relations in January, 1996. More than two decades later, the firm has a hard-earned reputation for delivering results in high profile public policy campaigns.

Beginning as a sole practitioner in 1996, McDonald’s media firm grew quickly into a full service firm that handles media relations, legislative issues, litigation public relations, issues management and crisis communications.

Prior to starting his firm, McDonald spent the first half of his professional career as a journalist, political consultant and government spokesman. He served as press spokesman for former Texas Governor Ann W. Richards from 1991-1994. He has also served as a press secretary, communications director and campaign director for numerous statewide political campaigns in Texas from 1990-1996.

He has worked closely with the Texas news media since 1990, and is regularly featured in political and public policy articles in Texas. McDonald also does television and newspaper commentary on a variety of topics. He has done media training sessions for state and national conferences, and served as a visiting professor of Political Science at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

McDonald grew up in El Paso, Texas and earned a degree in Political Science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He is married; the father of four children and two grandchildren.

Nancy Siefken

Nancy Siefken has nearly 20 years of experience conducting public outreach campaigns. She has been responsible for securing public support for a variety of controversial issues at the state and federal level. Prior to her work in public outreach, Nancy served as a professional facilitator and trainer for the Texas Attorney General’s office. That professional experience is critical to facilitating community meetings, which is an integral part of any public outreach campaign.
Nancy supports the ongoing campaign to maintain public support for the firm’s energy clients. Additional public outreach campaigns include securing public support for issues on tribal lands and maintaining adequate state funding for pediatric therapies for medically fragile children.

Her public outreach responsibilities include; coalition building, conducting community meetings, grass roots organizing, media relations, managing client website content and overseeing video production.

In addition to public outreach, Nancy collaborates with MPR’s executive team to execute strategic legislative communication plans.

Nancy has a B.A. in Political Science from Texas Tech University.

Lauren Indian

Lauren’s duties at MPR include account management and social media outreach where she works with clients to hit their target audience via social venues. Along with social media presence, Lauren handles keeping track of all account information and working with clients to ensure their message is not only heard, but well thought out. With a Bachelor’s in Public Relations and a Minor in Business from Texas State University, Lauren is well versed in PR knowledge. She has a diverse background in Sales and Marketing for a Wine distribution company and as the Director for a locally owned coffee company in Austin.

Amy Montoya

Amy coordinates Spanish Language translations for all communications materials for McDonald Public Relations including copy for press kits, web sites, video scripts and community outreach documents. Amy produces Spanish language voiceover for videos and other digital presentations.She participates in message development and drafting communications plans to ensure the perspective of Spanish speakers are addressed.

Amy has proven to be proficient at a wide range of translating tasks from translating technical information in print to translating emotional interviews for video. She also provides critical oral translation as needed for press interviews, community presentations and testimony before boards and commissions.

Amy has nine years of experience as a linguist for the U.S. Army. In addition to English, she is fluent in both speaking and writing Spanish, Portuguese and Pashtu.

Amy’s talents extend beyond linguistics. She also serves as the point person for all special event planning at McDonald Public Relations.

She has a degree in Spanish Literature from Barnard Collegein New York City.