Our Team

Kay LiCausi is a highly sought-after government and public relations strategic advisor and issues advocate. A creative and dynamic business leader with almost 30 years of experience in government and politics at the local, county, state, and federal levels, Kay knows how public policy, politics and process intersect to craft and deliver personalized strategies to achieve client objectives.

As the founder and President of Hoboken Strategy Group, a boutique government and public relations firm and certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Kay has led HSG since its inception in 2008 and, to date, has more than doubled the size of the organization. HSG represents a diverse client-base including Fortune 100 companies, pharmaceutical interests, brownfield developers, national associations, and government entities. HSG works with organizations in New Jersey to increase their business presence, solve regulatory challenges, or champion legislative issues. Kay has bipartisan reach and has guided her clients through five gubernatorial administrations.

Kay serves on the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association and was selected by Governor Murphy to serve on the Government Technology and Innovation Transition Team.

Kay is a determined advocate for women and children. She believes that business and government entities are stronger when a diverse array of voices collaborate, which is why she dedicates her time to ensure the placement of women in key governmental positions and on boards and commissions. Kay serves as the co-lead of the Democratic Task Force of the Bipartisan Coalition for Women’s Appointments; the former Co-Chair and current Board Member of PAM’s List, a New Jersey fundraising network for democratic women legislators; the board of Latina Civic PAC; and as the Treasurer for Girl Scout Troop 10370. Additionally, Kay provides mentorship and networking opportunities with one college student each year through the Jamie Foxx Scholars Program at TCNJ.

Prior to forming her first lobbying firm, KL Strategies in 2002, Kay was the Chief of Staff to a New Jersey Congressman and ran his New Jersey issues portfolio which included transportation and infrastructure, dredging, environmental protection, and federal funding. She was the primary New Jersey liaison with federal agencies, elected officials and community leaders across the State. In her political career, Kay has served in a variety of positions from field organizer to finance director to campaign manager on several campaigns including Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Governor Jim McGreevey, and U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli. Kay served as the Vice-Chair of the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization from 2002-2005. 

In January 2020, NJ Monthly profiled Kay and her husband Matt McDermott, who held senior leadership positions under Governor Chris Christie, on their bipartisan marriage and their belief that government is stronger when both parties work together. In 2013, Kay lectured at the Eagleton Institute of Politics Public Leadership Education Network series. In 2010, Latinas United for Political Empowerment gave Kay the “Amiga Award” at the Power of Women event. In 2009, Kay climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with the Love Hope Strength Foundation and raised funds to build the first children’s cancer center in Tanzania. In 2007, NJBiz named her one of the state’s forty most dynamic leaders under 40.

Kay earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies from Rutgers University in 1993. Kay is a proud single mom-by-choice to her daughter Lily. The LiCausi-McDermott family resides in Monmouth County.

Michael represents clients on the federal, state, and local levels and as Chief Operating Officer, oversees the firm’s operations. With over twenty years of experience as a public affairs professional, Michael successfully leverages his expertise in critical thinking and strategic problem-solving to shepherd numerous legislative and grassroots outreach campaigns on behalf of HSG’s clients. 

With a results-oriented approach to client service, Michael has advanced numerous client projects through state and federal appropriations advocacy in addition to assistance with permitting and project completion. Michael has extensive experience in advancing projects across the State including transit projects, culvert replacement, roadway improvement and signalization projects, Vision Zero initiatives, as well as waterfront recreational trails. 

Known for his creative and innovative approach to public relations, Michael effectively leads HSG’s website content development practice, as well as the development of social media marketing and messaging. He considers each client’s goals to create the ideal social media strategy that will drive guaranteed results and grow a client’s network. 

Michael began his political career at the age of 13, volunteering in local political campaigns in 1993. After working with local campaigns, Michael deepened his already profound passion for government and politics by interning with a State Assemblymember in high school. In college, he worked on Capitol Hill for a New Jersey Member of Congress and upon graduation served as legislative director for a member of the State Assembly in 2002. Michael began working in the private sector in 2003 and helped found HSG in 2008. 

Active in his local community of Edison, Michael has served as a member of the Township of Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment since 2015, currently serving as Chairman. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park. Michael is a former volunteer baseball manager for North Edison Baseball & Softball and coached his team at Cooperstown All Star Village in 2024.  In 2014, Michael was a fellow with the New Leaders Council-New Jersey and has served on their Advisory Board. 

Michael is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University where he earned a master’s in Public Affairs and Politics. 

Jess Murray serves as Vice President at Hoboken Strategy Group, bringing with her a deep understanding of the legislative process and a reputation on both sides of the aisle as an effective and reliable partner in policymaking. 

Immediately prior to joining HSG, Jess served as Chief of Staff to State Senator Linda R. Greenstein (LD14). In this role, she established the Senator’s legislative priorities, built consensus among groups of wide-ranging stakeholders, and executed strategies for advancement. As Chief of Staff, Jess worked extensively to develop and pass legislation across a spectrum of issue areas - including the environment and clean drinking water, public safety and victims’ rights, access to healthcare, labor, and business development - all while managing and strengthening the Senator’s working relationships with legislative stakeholders, advocacy organizations, and governmental colleagues. 

From 2019 to 2021, Jess worked in a number of roles for then-Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (LD18). Starting as a Legislative Aide in 2019, she was quickly promoted to Policy Director, then again to Deputy Chief of Staff. During her time with the Assemblywoman, Jess honed her policy skills working on legislative matters related to climate change, clean energy, and healthcare. 

In 2023, Jess was named to both Senator Loretta Weinberg’s and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter’s “Women’s Power Lists.” She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy and Political Science from Rutgers University, and regularly visits the Political Science department to share professional advice with the undergraduate class.

Currently, Jess resides in Princeton, New Jersey. When she’s not working, she’s either reading (with her tuxedo cat, Charlie, nearby), taking care of her always-growing array of plants, or finding a new experience (glassblowing, knitting, pottery) to try with friends. 

Mariel DiDato serves as Director of Government Relations and Communications at Hoboken Strategy Group, bringing deep experience across all sides of the policymaking process and a reputation for delivering results.

Most recently, Mariel served as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, representing Hoboken and much of Jersey City. In this role, she directed policy and legislative affairs, handled all communications, and managed a high-performing team in one of the state’s most dynamic and diverse districts. She played a key role in advancing the Assemblywoman’s legislative agenda to address housing affordability, reproductive freedom and menstrual equity, and criminal justice reform.

Her professional experience spans multiple state agencies under the Murphy administration. During her graduate studies at Rutgers University, she completed her Eagleton Fellowship placement at the New Jersey Department of Health. She then worked as a Legislative Liaison for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, where she tracked legislation and provided constituent services during the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 closures. She quickly developed strong bipartisan relationships statewide and delivered a level of responsiveness that met the moment. She moved on to become the Senior Legislative Officer at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, where she honed policy skills concerning small business development, clean energy, and other areas of economic growth in the state.

Mariel began her state and federal advocacy work with New Jersey’s Planned Parenthood Action Fund, where she helped found the organization’s Digital Organizing Group and was selected for the inaugural cohort of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s National Storytellers Bureau. In 2017, she stepped up to run for General Assembly in Legislative District 13, running on a platform of affordability, climate action, and protecting reproductive freedom. Though she did not win her race, she and her team closed the district’s voting margins to levels not seen in more than two decades. She went on to hold leadership roles within Monmouth County Democratic organizations, serving as Chair of the Monmouth County Young Democrats and as Recording Secretary of the Monmouth County Democrats Board.

She has also served as a Social Media Consultant for various local campaigns, managing content creation and engagement across multiple platforms to raise awareness, issue advocacy and candidate event promotion. Mariel's efforts increased public visibility and recognition of candidates amongst the electorate.

Mariel holds a B.S. in Nutritional Science and an M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. She spent a semester of her master’s program abroad in the Netherlands at Utrecht University. Currently a resident of Rahway, she enjoys being active in her community, trying new restaurants, and DJing local events and fundraisers.

Rebecca Marcillo-Gómez serves as the Government Relations and Communications Associate at Hoboken Strategy Group, bringing a passion for fostering meaningful connections between government, policy, and the communities they impact.  

Previously, Rebecca worked in campaign organizing. Most recently, she served as a Field Organizer for the LD-32 Assembly campaign for Jessica Ramirez and Yousef Saleh. Prior to that, she worked as a Field Organizer with the New Jersey Democratic State Committee’s NJ Victory 2024 campaign in Hudson County, where she supported the election of then-Congressman Andy Kim to the U.S. Senate, alongside other Democratic candidates.

In these roles, she led voter outreach and volunteer coordination efforts including, recruiting, training, and managing volunteers for door-to-door canvassing and phone banking operations. She also created and managed teams of paid canvassers, overseeing daily field performance to ensure effective voter contact operations. She assisted in leading Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) operations by coordinating field plans, tracking turnout efforts, and supporting the execution of high-intensity voter outreach strategies for Election Day. 

Earlier in her career, Rebecca served as a Legislative Aide to then-Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight in New Jersey’s 31st Legislative District. In this role, she supported constituent services by connecting residents with relevant government agencies and assistance programs. She also contributed to legislative research and initiatives focused on issues affecting women and children, public safety, and diversity.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with minors in English, Social Justice, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Sociology, and Honors, as well as a Master of Public Administration, both from Saint Peter’s University. She is also a Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership Alumna. Rebecca currently resides in Verona, New Jersey. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog, crocheting, and hosting backyard board game nights with friends and family during the summer.

Monica Freibott is a Communications Associate with a strong background in public relations, marketing, and research-driven communications. In her role, Monica supports a wide range of communications initiatives, leveraging her experience in content creation, social media management, and stakeholder engagement. She brings a strategic and creative approach to storytelling, helping organizations effectively connect with their audiences through thoughtful messaging, media engagement, and digital content. 

Prior to this role, she served as a Research Coordinator at MediaBarn Inc., where she managed study logistics for high-profile clients, including PBS, Sentara Healthcare, and the United States Postal Service. In this role, she played a key part in executing research projects from start to finish, coordinating participants, facilitating focus groups, and translating insights into actionable deliverables. She also contributed to the company’s digital presence by developing targeted social media campaigns and managing content across platforms.

Monica’s foundation in public relations was built during her time at The Plastic Surgery Center, where she supported PR strategy, media outreach, and thought leadership initiatives. She developed a wide range of content, including blogs and video materials, to position physicians as industry leaders while also monitoring brand sentiment and managing reputational risks. Her experience also includes event planning and execution, where she coordinated large-scale events and physician symposiums, handling logistics, media coordination, and post-event analysis.

Earlier in her career, Monica gained experience in government and political communications as an intern for Senator Vin Gopal. There, she supported voter outreach efforts, conducted policy research, and contributed to campaign strategy through competitive analysis and community engagement.

Monica holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Old Dominion University, and a BSc in Political Science with minors in Communications and Marketing. She is skilled in media relations, social media strategy, research analytics, and event coordination. In her free time, Monica enjoys trying new and local restaurants with friends & family, reading, spending time at the beach, cooking, and traveling!