DENVER – The State Innovation Exchange (SiX), a resource and strategy center devoted to advancing progressive policies and building progressive power in the states, announced today that it has brought on Jon Monteith, a former Democratic National Committee speechwriter who has led progressive advocacy work at both the state and national level, as its communications director.
Prior to joining SiX, Monteith served as Communications and Engagement Director for Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. He also led communications for One Colorado, the primary statewide group advocating for Colorado’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. While there, Monteith played a key role in the passage and enactment of civil unions legislation, the removal of anti-transgender exclusions in Colorado’s health insurance plans, a robust public education campaign in support of marriage equality, and the defeat of two anti-equality bills that would have enshrined a “right to discriminate” in Colorado.
As chief speechwriter for the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. during the 2012 election, Monteith provided messaging guidance to a range of elected officials, Democratic Party leaders, and progressive activists at the local, state, and national level. He also worked for the policy team of the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest organization working to achieve LGBT equality – and was a press aide to former U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL).
“We are thrilled to have Jon join our growing SiX team,” said SiX Executive Director Nick Rathod. “Expanding our communications and messaging capacity is critical to our efforts to advance and defend policies in the states that support working families, protect the environment, promote civil rights, and strengthen our democracy. I am confident – with Jon’s impressive background and range of state and national experience – that he is the right person to take our work in the states to the next level.”
“As Congress continues to sidestep the business of actually governing, our state legislatures offer the clearest and strongest path for achieving meaningful policy change,” said Monteith. “My colleagues at the State Innovation Exchange have been working tirelessly with legislators and progressive leaders across the country to advance policies that expand opportunity and improve the lives of millions of Americans. I am honored to be joining this team.”