Testimonials
"Practical Strategies is a real find. We've turned to them for a wide variety of projects -- from planning fundraising events and developing media outreach, all the way down to stuffing envelopes. Their talented staff brought the same contagious, can-do attitude to all of them. But as rare as that attitude is these days it's not at all surprising to find it at Practical Strategies. It starts at the top with the well-connected force of nature who serves as their President, Mary Jo Joyce. And they're a bargain besides. Because they're based in Wisconsin, you get all their talent and energy delivered to the coasts at Midwest prices. Try them and you'll agree they could easily charge twice as much (but let's keep that strictly between us)."
Kevin "Seamus" Hasson, President
Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Washington, DC"As the campaign manager working with the limitations of paid and unpaid staff, I recognized the need for professional assistance during the last leg of our campaign. Having met with Mary Jo Joyce of Practical Strategies, I was impressed with her professional insight and understanding of our particular challenge to organize, prioritize and implement an action plan.
Wasting no time, Mary Jo set up a strategy to reach out to our volunteers and supporters. She executed a program to improve our fundraising and increase our awareness with earned and paid media. Her staff was impressive utilizing all existing resources and coordinating efforts for our candidate and our team.
The outcome was that Beatty received nearly one million votes, the most of any Massachusetts Republican in years. My regret was that we did not use Practical Strategies earlier in the campaign.
I would strongly recommend Practical Strategies for any candidate or organization that needs professional oversight and personalized methodology."
Joseph W. Manzoli, Director
Jeff Beatty for U. S. Senate 2008
Massachusetts"What is so wonderful about Practical Strategies, Inc., is that they seamlessly become part of your own team, multiplying your own time and resources in a way that is unmatched. Thoroughly professional and disciplined, Mary Jo Joyce's ability to quickly grasp her client's needs enables her superlative staff to fly into high gear almost immediately. Before you know it, problem solved."
Carol A. Taber, President
FamilySecurityMatters.org
New York, New York"Practical Strategies has great connections and vast know-how when it comes to today’s contentious public-policy battlefield."
Jeffrey Bell
Political Strategist and Author
Washington, District of Columbia"In my time of maximum need, Mary Jo Joyce appeared almost magically in San Francisco. I thought this was foreign territory for her, a Midwesterner by current living arrangements, but within two days she helped me find an office space for Encounter Books and helped negotiate a lease with a formidably faceless corporate landlord, two tasks that had defeated me during weeks of trying. Her practical strategizing saved my bacon."
Peter Collier, Author and Editor
Encounter Books
San Francisco, California"If your project would benefit from research, Practical Strategies is quick, accurate, and confidential. Just hit the print button when their report arrives via email."
James Piereson, Executive Director
John M. Olin Foundation
New York, New York"Thank You for your exceptional work on behalf of victims of human trafficking. Truly, the work you did to activate communities far exceeded my hopes and expectations. You have a great talent for working with non-governmental organizations. You understand them; know how to evaluate and motivate them, and what they need to improve their efficacy. Bravo! And many, many thanks for all you did to make our program such a great success!"
Steve Wagner, President
QEV Analytics; Former Director, Human Trafficking Program, U.S. HHS; and former Director, Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives, U.S. HUD.
Washington, District of Columbia"Practical Strategies helped us with just that: practical, real world strategies relevant to our particular circumstances. Mary Jo’s insight and ability to help chart our course from the ‘back of the room’ provided not only a great service, but delivered it in a most unique and effective way. Her team is undoubtedly the A-Team on any project in the sea of politics, policy and nonprofits."
Robert A. Aguirre, President
Hispanic CREO
Washington, District of Columbia"Sizzle and steak! Ingredients for a lovely, tantalizing, and filling meal. I credit Practical Strategies with providing both of these elements in projects created and work performed for Burleigh Street. We are ‘full’ and we love it!"
James Hiller, Executive Director
Burleigh Street Community Development Corporation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin"What you get with Practical Strategies is Mary Jo Joyce. Whenever she didn’t already know the answer, she found it. The more complex the problem, the more strategically simple is the answer, and her ability to communicate to our constituency, has been most rewarding."
Geoffrey G. Maclay, President
Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation, Inc.
West Bend, Wisconsin"When we hired Practical Strategies to do our event marketing plan we were expecting the usual brochure and invitation. But we got a dividend that was unexpected and appreciated; we got a very high level of commitment to getting the work done even when we, the client, didn't meet our deadlines. That's dedication. We enjoyed working with Mary Jo and her staff. We are looking forward to working with them on future projects."
Mark Brunner, Executive Director
Citizen Advocacy of Washington County
West Bend, Wisconsin