
up·swing
(noun): an increase in strength or quantity; a marked improvement; an upward trend.
About Us
Upswing Strategies trains good people with good ideas to deliver their message with impact. Our coaching is hyper-individualized, rooted in social science, and focused on making you feel confident in front of any audience.

Our Team
Upswing is run by two experienced leaders, Emma Sprague and Matt White, in concert with a network of dynamic collaborators and expert communications trainers.



Christian Dorsey
ARLINGTON COUNTY BOARD
Jill Alper
ALPER STRATEGIES
Miguel Ferrer
SOYFERRER



Jamie McGonnigal
OUTVOTE
Sally Kohn
AUTHOR +
COMMENTATOR
Matt Kohut
KNP COMMUNICATIONS

Seth Pendleton
KNP COMMUNICATIONS

Liz Plank
VOX MEDIA

Carla Sorey-Reed
REED & ASSOCIATES
+ WOMEN UNINTERRUPTED
Our Work
Upswing is working to build and strengthen a network of leaders who have the confidence, tools, skills and support to most effectively drive their agendas and move people to action. We offer:
media training
speaker + presentation
training
executive coaching
storytelling + messaging workshops
digital presence
coaching
brand strategy development
Ready to get planning? Email us at hello@teamupswing.com and we’ll work together to craft the best strategy for your goals and priorities.
The Buzz
This team has had an invaluable impact on my media career. I utilize the skills and strategies they taught me almost everyday. In this moment more than ever, we need to arm leaders to have tough conversations and I can’t think of two better people to spearhead that effort.
Liz Plank
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
VOX MEDIA
I love the multi-day bootcamps. In my work supporting and amplifying the voices of grantee leaders, these trainings have been key. There’s nothing like practicing a media interview with skilled and talented trainers. The highly-individualized experience makes everything they teach come to life, and the feedback you get is critical to improving.
Jace Woodrum
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
GILL FOUNDATION
Your presentation was engaging, fun, and taught me skills on a practical level that I will immediately bring into my professional work in the Deputy Mayor's Office.
Brent Johnson
SPECIAL ASSISTANT
DC DEPUTY MAYOR FOR
GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
The training was excellent - a well planned and managed engagement that has had a concrete impact on how my team organizes their work and approaches their new partner development encounters. Your session was judged the best, most practical and useful part of our strategic planning workshop.
Christa White
SVP OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
While I've always had an interest in politics, I've never been a great speaker. After your session, I feel like that may be starting to change. Every piece of advice you gave was incredibly helpful. I already find myself using the techniques in everyday conversation.
James Schapiro
STUDENT FELLOW
BROWN UNIVERSITY IN
WASHINGTON PROGRAM




