meet the team.
sarah selip
Sarah Selip is the founder and CEO of 917 Strategies, known for delivering high-impact messaging, strategic clarity, and elevated results for political leaders, brands, and public figures. With deep roots in policy communications and conservative media, Sarah brings a rare blend of political fluency and publicist precision to every client she serves.
Prior to founding 917 Strategies, Sarah built her career in high-stakes environments on Capitol Hill and campaigns of all scales, where she developed a reputation for translating complex issues into sharp, effective narratives. Today, she leads a firm trusted by clients across government, media, and culture to handle everything from reputation management to rapid response.
In addition to leading 917 Strategies, Sarah appears regularly as a political commentator on national television, offering insights on messaging, media dynamics, and conservative policy issues on Fox News, Newsmax, Fox5 DC, and more.
Known for her editorial eye, relentless standards, and strategic foresight, Sarah’s work is where message meets momentum—and where bold ideas get the spotlight they deserve.
maren hersam
Maren Hersam is a top-tier Brand Communications Strategist at 917 Strategies, where she leads transformative messaging campaigns for high-profile clients across Washington, D.C.
With a sharp eye for narrative and a deep understanding of audience behavior, Maren has redefined how political leaders engage with constituents. Her innovative frameworks for digital strategy and media relations have become go-to models for staying on-message in fast-moving news cycles—balancing message discipline with real-time responsiveness.
Before entering the political arena, Maren honed her digital strategy skills in the competitive beauty and fashion industries, managing paid content placements and scaling social media engagement for top-tier brands and creators. That fast-paced, trend-driven environment sharpened her instincts for storytelling that connects and converts.
A graduate of The George Washington University with a background in psychology, Maren brings behavioral insight into every campaign she touches—translating complex policy positions into powerful, relatable messaging. Her ability to shape public perception and drive conversation makes her an indispensable advisor to candidates and causes working to make real impact.