Strategy That Moves Policy Forward.

About First Circle

The right strategy starts with the right people — and the right message.

First Circle Policy Partners is a strategic policy and public affairs firm that helps organizations navigate complex policy environments, build powerful coalitions, shape effective messaging, and turn priorities into action.

Founded by Stephanie Jones and Miraya Gran, First Circle was built on years of experience at the intersection of policy, advocacy, coalition building, and strategic communications. We know successful policy work takes more than a good idea. It requires the right strategy, the right voices, the right partners, and a message that can move people and policy.

Our approach brings these pieces together. We help clients assess the policy landscape, identify opportunities and risks, develop strategy, align stakeholders, and build the coalitions necessary to advance complex issues. Just as importantly, we help determine how those issues are communicated — translating complicated policy into clear, compelling messages that resonate with policymakers, stakeholders, advocates, media, and the public.

Stephanie and Miraya bring complementary expertise in policy strategy, organizational leadership, coalition development, messaging, communications, finance, and advocacy. Together, they have built and advised state and national initiatives, developed multi-state advocacy infrastructure, convened diverse stakeholders, and transformed complex issues into coordinated strategies and messages designed to drive action.

At First Circle, we don't simply advise from the sidelines. We build the strategy, assemble the circle, shape the message, and move the work forward.

Stephanie Jones & Miraya Gran

Founders + Partners

First Circle was founded on a simple belief: the strongest policy strategies bring together the people who understand the system, the people who understand the issue, and the people whose voices can change the conversation.

Stephanie and Miraya bring years of experience building organizations, leading coalitions, developing policy and advocacy strategies, and creating messaging that turns complicated issues into clear and compelling calls to action. Their work has brought together advocates, policy experts, nonprofit leaders, industry stakeholders, and decision-makers around complex and rapidly evolving policy challenges.

That experience is at the heart of First Circle: smart strategy, strong coalitions, and powerful messaging built to move policy forward.