Home
Our Team
Experts
Our team has the most combined experience in New England with lobbying and media relations experts in energy & utilities, B2B technology, mobility, security, life sciences, non-profits, and real estate.
About Patrick
Patrick Bench is the Founder of Benchmark Strategies. In this role, he provides public affairs and lobbying counsel to clients. Patrick specializes in economic development and procurement advisory services.
Patrick founded Benchmark Strategies in 2014 after years of leadership in executive government offices, specializing in economic development and international affairs.
Prior to launching Benchmark Strategies, Patrick served for five years as a Vice President of Public Affairs at Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications. Preceding Rasky Baerlein, Patrick served for five years in economic development roles in Governor Mitt Romney’s and Governor Deval Patrick’s Administrations, primarily as the Director of Business Development for the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI).
Patrick is a Bachelor of Political Science graduate from Providence College, with a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University. He lives with his wife and daughters in Boston, Massachusetts.
Favorite vacation spot is Barranquilla, Colombia
About Brian
As Executive Vice President, Brian Domoretsky leads Benchmark’s Public Affairs practice – which provides lobbying, communications, and public sector consulting services to help clients drive new revenue and implement impactful government affairs strategies. His clients span a broad range of industries, including IT, Cybersecurity, AI, MedTech, Life Sciences, and Law Enforcement Technology
Brian joined Benchmark after serving eight years at the cabinet level for Governors Baker and Patrick. Most recently, he was an Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff at the Executive Office of Technology Services & Security (EOTSS). Before that, Brian managed $1.1B in annual state spending as Secretariat Chief Financial Officer for the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security (EOPSS).
Brian is also a MA House of Representatives alum – beginning his career as Legislative Aide and Campaign Manager for the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Taxation and later successfully managing House Judiciary Chair Michael S. Day’s 2014 campaign.
In between government service, Brian was Director of Communications & Development and a Wealth Management Advisor at Commonwealth Financial Group in Boston.
Brian received a BA in Economics from Boston College. He currently resides in Stoneham, MA.
Fun Fact
Brian is a mild-mannered professional by day and a rock guitarist by night.
About Susan
Susan Elsbree leads the strategic communications practice at Benchmark Strategies, where she specializes in public relations, media relations, and crisis management across a wide range of industries. With a strong focus on helping clients navigate complex communication challenges, she develops tailored strategies that drive results and enhance brand reputation.
At Benchmark, Susan’s leadership in communications has supported high-profile corporate, government, and nonprofit clients. She is known for her ability to craft impactful messaging, manage stakeholder relationships, and generate media coverage that aligns with her clients’ goals. With years of experience, Susan continues to be a trusted advisor, helping organizations successfully communicate their stories to diverse audiences.
Susan holds, with pride, a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and resides in Jamaica Plain with her husband and twin daughters.
Fun Fact
When I’m not at work, you’ll find me: Traveling. I live to travel.
About Colleen
As Vice President of Public Relations at Benchmark Strategies, Colleen leads strategic communications initiatives for a diverse portfolio of clients. With deep expertise in media relations, content creation, and integrated communication strategies, she shapes and executes comprehensive PR campaigns that enhance brand reputation and drive measurable results.
A skilled storyteller, Colleen draws on her relationships with reporters and editors at local, regional, and national publications to secure high-visibility coverage for clients. She collaborates across teams to develop effective communications strategies that leverage traditional media, digital platforms, and social media channels.
Before joining Benchmark, Colleen worked at a full-service consulting agency, where she successfully developed and implemented legislative and public affairs campaigns for a wide range of corporate and non-profit clients. Colleen holds a B.A. in Political Science and English Literature from Fairfield University and currently resides in the South End of Boston.
Fun Fact
Colleen recently completed her first marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and looks forward to her next.
About Abigail
As our Social Media Associate, Abigail Gutierrez works closely with clients to develop and execute effective social media strategies. She excels at crafting compelling, engaging content that effectively communicates client messages across multiple platforms. With a strong passion for content creation in both English and Spanish, Abigail is proud of her Salvadoran roots and remains deeply involved in the Latino community throughout New England.
Abigail’s expertise spans across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other platforms. She is highly proficient in producing both short-form and long-form video content, as well as photography and videography for social graphics. She uses social media scheduling tools, AI, and analytics to optimize campaigns and track their performance.
Abigail resides on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her family.
Fun Fact
Abby once traveled to 10 different countries in Europe within 2 weeks!
About Sarah
As Senior Operations Manager, Sarah is the lead for compliance, accounting, benefits, and administration while supporting the team to meet all goals set by clients.
Prior to joining Benchmark, Sarah worked as an early education teacher and as a research assistant for different labs and centers.
Sarah is a Northeastern alum with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and minor in Criminal Justice and currently resides in New Jersey.
Fun Fact
Fun fact: Sarah has dyed her hair every color of the rainbow.
About Kate
As Media Relations and Content Specialist, Kate is responsible for developing media materials that advance client goals and support Benchmark Strategies’ thriving public relations practice. Her main responsibilities include conducting media outreach, developing press releases and other media materials, and undertaking client and market-based research projects.
Kate comes to Benchmark with a background in journalism, public relations and public policy. Previously, she was a Civic Fellow at the Close Up Foundation in Washington, D.C., and worked on the External Relations and Communications team at her alma mater. She has also been a freelance journalist throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, published in outlets such as The Boston Globe.
She graduated with degrees in journalism and in political science from the University of Rhode Island. She received numerous university awards while at URI, such as the Edgar Leduc Award for Public Service and the Journalism Department’s Wilbur Doctor Endowment.
Kate currently lives in Cambridge, but is proudly from the Worcester area.
Fun Fact
Kate loves live music and has been to more than 100 concerts.
About Annie
As the Director of Communications at Benchmark Strategies, Annie thoughtfully develops and implements comprehensive communications plans for a wide range of clients. She offers strategic counsel on building brand visibility and strengthening media relationships on a local and national scale.
Annie is a skilled communicator with a strong background in public affairs storytelling. She leverages trusted media relationships to secure meaningful media coverage and manages complex news moments with clarity and composure. She greatly enjoys bringing her clients’ stories to life and finding the right opportunities to elevate their voice.
Before joining Benchmark, Annie worked at a public relations and integrated marketing communication agency, focusing on public affairs communications for high-level clients. Annie holds a B.A. in Journalism with a concentration in Advertising from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She resides in South Boston and frequently makes trips to see her family on Cape Cod.
Fun Fact
Annie has run the Falmouth Road Race six times and is excited to do it again with her family this summer!
About Alexi
As a Public Affairs Associate, Alexi provides targeted counsel and public affairs services in conjunction with Senior Leadership to international and domestic businesses, large corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. Key responsibilities include providing strategic consulting in all aspects of public affairs across assigned client work.
Prior to joining Benchmark, Alexi served as Senior Information Manager in the Executive Office of MA Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and as an intern at the Massachusetts Trial Court.
Alexi is a graduate of Merrimack College, where she received a B.A. in Political Science. She and her dog Georgie currently reside in Winthrop.
Fun Fact
Alexi has studied and worked in Sydney, Australia.
Brian joins Benchmark after working for over three years on the Policy and Research team at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. As Senior Manager of Government Relations, Brian was responsible for providing expert analysis for relevant legislation and public policy proposals impacting the Chamber’s 1,200 members. Brian interfaced with employers to form policy positions, respond to policy inquiries, and coordinate outreach strategies to elected officials as well as develop and distribute policy testimony representing the Chamber’s public policy positions.
Brian previously worked as a Policy Analyst for Minority Leader Brad Jones in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Under this role, Brian was responsible for legislative affairs in the issue areas of Housing, Transportation, Financial Services, Election Laws, Capital Expenses, and Redistricting.
Brian earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University, a Masters Degree in Political Science at the University of New Hampshire, and earned his BA at Saint Anselm College.
Brian lives in Boston with his wife.
Fun Fact
My first ever job was as a Martial Arts Instructor.
About Lauren
As Vice President of Public Affairs, Lauren’s primary areas of focus include the Massachusetts Legislature and the Executive Branch.
Before joining Benchmark, Lauren was Director of Government Partnerships at Bird, where she managed more than 100 city relationships and drove millions in revenue. Prior, Lauren served as Director of Programs and Government Relations at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and held numerous roles across the Massachusetts State House spanning seven years.
Lauren holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Vermont and an M.A. in Magazine Journalism from Kingston University London. She currently serves on the External Advisory Board for UMass Boston’s Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy and lives in Quincy with her fiancé.