Overview

Company Summary

Civilian is a Certified B Corporation and full-service marketing communications agency committed to using business as a force for good. Founded in 1999, we specialize in helping government agencies, foundations, and nonprofits inspire behavior change, improve lives, strengthen communities, and better the world—particularly among underserved and diverse populations. Our work spans publica health, environmental sustainability, health and well-being, public transportation, education, and economic development. Headquartered in San Diego, with offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., we tackle society’s most pressing issues through insight-driven, culturally competent campaigns. Our services include strategic planning, research and insights, branding and creative, media planning and placement, web development, public relations, stakeholder engagement, and digital and social media. At Civilian, we use marketing for good, co-creating campaigns with communities and delivering measurable results. We are led by founder and CEO Stacey Nelson Smith and guided by a belief that the best marketing is grounded in understanding human behavior and motivating action that lasts.

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Staff

Total Number of Employees

Office Employees: 0-50
Total US: 0-50
Total Worldwide: 0-50

Stacey Nelson Smith
CEO
Stacey is the founder and CEO of Civilian, a Certified B Corporation and full-service marketing agency that solves complex problems through strategic, insight-driven campaigns. With 25 years of experience in behavior change marketing, brand strategy, and public engagement, she leads the agency’s mission to deliver creative, measurable solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities.

She has built a team that excels at transforming complex, often misunderstood issues—like paint recycling, the need for earthquake insurance, and the connection between adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress—into clear, compelling campaigns that drive action. Her leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, collaboration, and community-first approaches that reach underserved and hard-to-serve audiences.

Known for her strategic clarity, accountability, and passion for impact, Stacey has made Civilian a trusted partner to organizations tackling society’s most pressing challenges.

Ron Wesson
VP, Integrated Media Services
Ron Wesson
VP, Integrated Media Services

Ron leads Civilian’s media strategy with nearly 25 years of experience in digital marketing, programmatic advertising, and performance optimization. As VP of Integrated Media Services, he oversees all paid and owned media programs—ensuring every campaign is insight-driven, cost-efficient, and aligned with client goals.

Ron is known for marrying data with creativity, translating complex audience insights into innovative media plans that deliver measurable impact. He also leads Civilian’s in-house media buying arm, Amplified, giving the agency a unique edge in agility, transparency, and performance.

A collaborative partner across strategy, creative, and analytics teams, Ron keeps Civilian at the forefront of emerging platforms and trends—guiding clients to make smart media decisions that drive real-world results.

Leah Davis
VP, Operations
Leah is the backbone of Civilian’s operations, bringing more than 20 years of leadership to the systems, processes, and people that keep the agency running efficiently and sustainably. As VP of Operations, she oversees agency resourcing, financial performance, project workflow, and internal infrastructure—ensuring our teams are supported and our work is delivered with excellence.

Leah is known for her ability to anticipate challenges before they arise, creating calm and clarity in a fast-paced environment. She fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, and is deeply committed to developing future leaders across departments.

Her strategic oversight ensures that Civilian’s operations not only support creativity and innovation—but help power it.

Pete Levine
Director of Client Services
Pete is a seasoned agency leader with more than 20 years of experience driving integrated marketing campaigns for both global brands and public-sector initiatives. Before joining Civilian, he held senior roles at creative powerhouses like Leo Burnett, Grey, and Saatchi & Saatchi, leading multimillion-dollar campaigns for Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s, Kraft-Heinz, and Walgreens.

At Civilian, Pete oversees the strategic and creative integration of all client work—ensuring every campaign is rooted in audience insight, aligned to objectives, and executed with impact. He has led award-winning efforts on both coasts, including two Cannes Lions and a One Show Pencil, and brings that big-brand thinking to mission-driven work across child well-being, community services, and systems change.

Pete is known for his ability to inspire teams, ground creative in strategy, and forge lasting client relationships. He thrives on solving complex challenges in fresh ways, always aiming to deliver work that’s as effective as it is engaging.

Travis Kushner
Director of Business Development
Travis brings 13 years of agency experience leading integrated, multichannel campaigns across public and private sectors—shaping strategy, driving execution, and building strong, enduring client relationships. His background spans global agencies like Universal McCann San Francisco and Havas London, where he led marketing initiatives grounded in audience insight and built to deliver measurable outcomes.

At Civilian, Travis plays a dual role: overseeing campaign strategy and delivery while also leading business development. He ensures every engagement is structured for success—from aligning internal teams to managing budgets with precision and keeping communication seamless.

A strategic thinker and collaborative partner, Travis is passionate about connecting with organizations tackling complex challenges. He leads with curiosity, clarity, and purpose—focusing on meaningful work and long-term impact.

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Clients and Brands

Client & Brands	Start Date
California Department of Public Health Office of Communications Office of Suicide Prevention	03-01-2023
Paintcare	01-01-2014
MED-Project	10-01-2021
South California Regional Rail Association	09-01-2020
LA Metropolitan Transit Authority	01-01-2016
California Mental Health Services Authority	01-01-2021
Riverside University Health System	01-01-2011
California Office of the Surgeon General	04-01-2023
California Victim Compensation Board	05-01-2020
The Prebys Foundation	01-01-2025
San Diego County District Attorney's Office	03-01-2025
CNECT	01-01-2019
San Diego and Imperial County Community College Association	01-01-2017
San Diego Association of Governments	05-01-2019

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Billings & Revenue

Billing / Revenue Ranges	Number of Clients
Billing < $1M and/or Agency Revenue < $200K	6
Billing > $1M and < $3M	4
Billing > $3M and < $5M	2
Billing < $10M and < $25M	2

Total Gross Media Placed by this Office
Under $50 Million

Allocation Percent of Media Placed by this Office
Local Broadcast: 20%
National Broadcast: 10%
Digital: 45%
Print: 5%
Out of Home: 10%
Other: 10%

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Types of Services

Service Offering	Revenue
Media Planning	1
Digital/Interactive | Mobile and Wireless	1
Digital/Interactive | E-Commerce Solutions	1
Media Buying	1
Public Relations	1
Design	1
Multicultural | Black	1
Corporate Communications	1
Multicultural | Hispanic/Latino	1
Multicultural | Asian	1
Digital/Interactive | Website Development, Hosting, Monitoring	1
Digital/Interactive | Search Engine Marketing	1
Brand Consulting	1
Digital/Interactive | Blogging Discussion Forums, Community Building	1
Advertising - General Market/ Traditional	1
Multicultural | Native American/Other	1
Content stategy & development	1
Event Marketing	1
Influencer Marketing	1
Digital/Interactive | Search Engine Optimization	1
Social Media	1
Event Marketing	1
Experiential	1

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Industry Experience

Financial services | investments
Financial services | insurance
Media | other
Government | political
Retail
Government | economic development
Non-profit, associations & public services
Travel | airlines
Technology | communications
Technology | .com business
Healthcare | Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, Medical Services
Healthcare | direct to consumer (DTC)
Social Media
Education
Real Estate | buildings & construction
Media | broadcasting
Travel | tourism
Telecommunications
Public Relations
Government | Health & Wellness
Public Utilities

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