Katherine Jarvis

President

President Katherine Jarvis brings passion, creativity and unique experiences in the wine and travel industries to Jarvis Communications. Since launching the company in 2005, Katherine has created custom-made programs for small and large, international and domestic clients in need of publicity.

Though she grew up with wine on the table every night for dinner, Jarvis’ career in wine began in 1997 when she worked in fine wine auctions in Chicago—first at Davis & Company Wine Auctioneers and then with Lionstone International in partnership with Sotheby’s North American wine auctions. In addition to developing new restaurant buyer accounts by working directly with sommeliers, she also established wholesale procedures in compliance with the three-tier distribution system. Previous to launching Jarvis Communications, she was an Executive Director for restaurant, travel and wine PR firm, Wagstaff Worldwide, Inc.

A native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she credits her upbringing as the child of two professors directing study abroad programs for her love of food, wine and culture. Two years in Bologna, Italy led to a lifetime obsession for tortellini alla panna, while two years in Malaga, Spain opened her eyes to the virtues of flamenco, Jerez and jamon Serrano.

She studied history and Latin American studies at Northwestern University taking semesters abroad in both Spain and Brazil, and summers in Petersburg, Alaska, gutting salmon. Upon graduation, she taught history at a bilingual school in Bogota, Colombia, before returning to Chicago to work in wine.

Katherine is a member of Slow Food, and is currently studying for an Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits with WSET. In her free time, she loves to cook, hike, go to flea markets, listen to vinyl records, read and spend time with her husband and two young daughters.

Monique Belden

Account Director

Monique Belden is an Account Director at Jarvis Communications. When she was very young her family moved to Italy to support her father’s military career and allow her mother to connect with her Italian roots. That experience heavily shaped the Geisen family’s love for good food and wine.

Her family returned to the United States once Monique began school and she spent her childhood in sunny San Diego. She grew up in a household where a glass of wine was always on the dinner table and where wood-fired pizza was a staple. A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Journalism, Monique pursued her love for travel in college, spending six months studying in Lüneberg, Germany and traveling throughout Europe.  Whether it’s pierogi in Poland or smørrebrød in Denmark, Monique enjoys exploring new places through their local foods as much as through the countryside.

Monique began her career working in the tech industry on the global social media team at Hewlett Packard Enterprise but decided to turn her love for food and wine into a career in 2018 when she joined Jarvis Communications. She is now enjoying all the diversity that Los Angeles has to offer. In her free time, she is an aspiring master baker and novice yogi. The only thing that rivals Monique’s passion for great food and drink is her love for fantasy novels which she’s been known to devour in a matter of hours.

Sam Viklund

Account Director

Sam Viklund is an Account Director at Jarvis Communications. Originally from Seattle, Sam attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR where he studied cultural anthropology and gender studies. He fell in love with wine while completing coursework on the anthropology of wine under professor Deborah Heath, a leading global expert on the cultural significance of terroir, biodynamics, and discourses surrounding nature, science, and magic in the world of wine.

Over the last six years Sam has worked as an academic scholar of food and beverage, a wine buyer at Pastaworks, Portland’s beloved family-owned Italian gourmet marketplace, an entrepreneurial intern at Vista Hills Vineyard & Winery in the Willamette Valley. In the restaurant world, Sam was a Champagne slinger at Pix Patisserie (voted best Champagne and sparkling wine list in the world 5 years in a row by World of Fine Wine!), and a server in various wine-centric restaurants in Portland and the Bay Area, such as the charming Hillside Supper Club in San Francisco. Most recently, Sam worked on the PR team at Colangelo & Partners in their San Francisco office, where he designed and implemented integrated media and trade communications campaigns for regional, national, and global food and beverage brands and institutions.  Professionally, Sam is interested in helping brands and people ideate and communicate their stories, and the “matchmaker” aspects of relationship building.

Now a resident of Los Angeles, Sam prefers to spend his free time cooking, entertaining, (grocery) shopping, and exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Golden State. He’s delighted to leave the San Francisco fog and Pacific Northwest rain behind for abundant Southern California sunshine.

Emma Zimmerman

Account Supervisor

Emma Zimmerman is an Account Supervisor at Jarvis Communications. A Southern California native, Emma grew up enjoying everything Los Angeles has to offer, including the dynamic food scene, the diversity of the city, and the short drive to Central California’s wine region. In 2019, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, with a concentration in brand strategy and strategic communications. 

While living in Willamette Valley, Emma’s affinity for wine flourished, especially since she was surrounded by amazing Pinot Noir producers. Yearning to explore more about the nuances of wine, Emma joined Garden Creek Ranch Vineyards and Winery in Geyserville, California for a marketing and PR internship. During her time there, she worked hands-on with the proprietors to develop key marketing and brand strategies to elevate their brand. As her interest in public relations began to grow, Emma joined Allen Hall Public Relations, a student-run PR firm, where she represented a local Portland start-up, WindFall Organics. She helped shape their brand image with key messaging strategies and social media campaigns.

Upon graduating, Emma returned to Southern California and joined Jarvis Communications in 2019 as an Intern, before receiving a full-time offer as an Assistant Account Coordinator. She is looking forward to further her career  in the wine PR industry, by studying for the WSET II. In her free time, she can be found searching for the best matcha latte, learning to cook new recipes or riding her beach cruiser along the beaches of Southern California. 

Kiernan Spencer

Account Executive

Kiernan joined Jarvis Communications as an Account Coordinator in Summer 2021. Born and raised in a small coastal town in New Hampshire, Kiernan grew up living and breathing sunny beaches, snow days, and of course, seafood. After graduating from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 2021, she decided to trade coasts, embrace city life, and start a new chapter in Los Angeles.

During her undergraduate years at Duke University, Kiernan studied history, where she fell in love with the written word. She was also a member of the Division I varsity rowing team and found her niche in teamwork. The summer following her junior year, she channeled both affinities while working on the communications team at a Berlin-based nonprofit. While there, she loved exploring all that German culture had to offer, especially German wines and street food.

After receiving her Master of Management Studies degree from Fuqua, Kiernan spent most of the summer traveling Northern California. There she spent her days exploring vineyards and taking a crash course in viticulture. It was also there that she realized she could use her business and communications experience to share her love for food, wine, and travel with the world.

When not in the office, Kiernan enjoys being outside however she can. You can often find her surfing, going for a run, or scoping out new hiking trails. She loves to spend time with her older brother, a fellow foodie, as they continue their mission to find the best sushi spot in LA.

Madison Gann

Account Executive

Madison Gann is an Account Executive at Jarvis Communications. Originally from the Santa Ynez Valley, Madison grew up enjoying the surrounding vineyards and lifestyle of the Central Coast. Between bike riding through the vineyards and family picnics at the wineries, she knew she never wanted to go too far. In 2022, she received her degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo College of Liberal Arts as a Communication Studies Major.

During the summer before her final year at Cal Poly Madison became infatuated with wine, beginning her work as a marketing intern with Napa Valley-based Trinchero Family Estates. Throughout her time there she worked with three of their most strategic brands, Joel Gott, Ménage à Trois and Seaglass Wines, helping them shape their brand image with new packaging direction, conducting competitor and data analysis, and assisting with nationwide commercials. After her internship concluded, her love for the industry was solidified and she finished up her last year at Cal Poly working as a Marketing Intern for the Communications Studies Department, and the Social Media Manager for a local San Luis Obispo real estate firm.

Upon graduating, Madison joined Jarvis and is so excited to further her career in wine-focused public relations. When not in the office, you can find Madison enjoying time outside, running along the beach, exploring new restaurants, spending time with her golden retriever Maizie and searching for the best coffee shops in Los Angeles.

Sara Hubbard

Account Executive

Sara Hubbard is an Account Executive at Jarvis Communications. Originally from Marin County, Sara grew up spending time in the Napa Valley and developing a love for all things relating to Wine Country. As a child, she often biked around St. Helena, sampling the selections at local olive oil and cheese shops along the way. In 2022 she received a degree in communications with a minor in musicology from UCLA, where she honed her writing skills and passion for storytelling.

While at UCLA, Sara began working in the editorial world as a writer and editor at California Wedding Day, Oregon Bride and Seattle Bride magazines. While there, she captured the unique journeys of newlyweds across the West Coast as well as the work of top wedding vendors, including photographers, florists, caterers and more. In addition, Sara worked at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering as a communications coordinator, letting the world know about the innumerable research breakthroughs that take place at the school. Also at UCLA, she was one of the copy chiefs and a reporter for the Daily Bruin, where she gained hands-on journalism experience and a passion for the proper placement of commas.

At Jarvis Communications, Sara takes the skills gained from these experiences and uses them to help us spread the word about our clients’ incredible stories. In her free time, she can be found exploring as many restaurants in Los Angeles as possible, knitting a new sweater or taking a bike ride along the beach.

LaShea Delaney

Account Coordinator

LaShea Delaney is a Los Angeles native who moved to the East Coast to attend New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her passion for writing began in the theater where she crafted words for the stage that centered women and explored the humor and strangeness in everyday life. She’s gone on to write about art, culture, food and wine for Los Angeles Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Compound Butter Magazine and others. She was named one of the “Five Rising Stars in Los Angeles” by SevenFifty Daily.

While in graduate school LaShea started her first restaurant job. The energy and fast-paced environment were a draw, as was the chance to work with guests, and the ever-present opportunity to learn. She took a particular interest in wine and was fortunate enough to have mentors that ushered her into a life of wine.

For the last five years LaShea worked as a sommelier at Kismet and Tartine Manufactory. She moved on to curate the wine list for Kismet and sell wine for Sacred Thirst Selections and Roni Selects. At Jarvis Communications, she uses experience in telling wine stories from a journalistic and sales perspective to support the company’s portfolio of wine, spirits and hospitality clients.

Outside of the office LaShea enjoys exploring the culinary landscape of Los Angeles, one of the best eating cities in the country. She also loves spending time with her little family and watching British Detective Shows.

Lauren Vicknair

Account Coordinator

Lauren Vicknair is an Account Coordinator at Jarvis Communications.  A native of Sierra Madre, California, Lauren grew up spending time exploring LA’s San Gabriel Mountains and developing a lifelong love for nature.

She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in History of Art and Visual Culture with a Concentration on Religion and Art. After graduating from UCSC, Lauren accepted an administrative position with a corporate-sponsored childcare center in downtown Los Angeles, where she remained 7 years.  In her position as Business Manager, Lauren ensured that the organization ran smoothly and prioritized the needs of families which allowed her to develop lasting relationships with her clients.

In 2017, Lauren decided to embark on a change of career and enrolled in the Wine Education and Management Certificate program at UCLA.  In 2018, she decided to pursue her wine education full-time and graduated from the program with distinction in June 2018.

Yearning to gain practical experience in the wine industry, she became a cellar intern for Harvest 2018 at HUNNICUTT Wines, a custom crush facility in St. Helena, CA.  There, she worked with several different winemakers and cellar workers which enabled her to see first-hand the passion and dedication that goes into every bottle of wine. Her experience at HUNNICUTT was more spectacular than she could have imagined, and it further solidified her desire to pursue wine as a career.  At Jarvis, Lauren loves being able to bring her skills in Business Management to an industry that she loves.

When not at Jarvis, Lauren loves cooking, going to see live music, and spending time with her family.  You can rarely find her without a book, covering all manner of topics from the classics to newly released thrillers.  She can also be found exploring the grounds of museums and botanical gardens around Los Angeles.

Olivia Stein

Account Coordinator

Account Coordinator Olivia Stein grew up in the heart of Willamette Valley Wine Country where she gravitated toward local and organic food, farms and vineyards. A typical weekend was spent at farmers’ markets or exploring wineries, nurturing her connection to food and wine.

In 2023, she graduated from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication with a Bachelor of Science in public relations. Throughout her senior year, Olivia was an Account Supervisor for Allen Hall PR, the university’s nationally affiliated student-run public relations firm, where she cultivated strong relationships with clients and expanded her communication skills.
Olivia worked her way through college at her hometown’s leading farm-to-table restaurant group, Marché. There, she used research and social media trends to develop a strategy for food and wine content which strengthened customer relationships and fostered a sense of community.

Olivia was thrilled to ditch the rain and move to Southern California to work with Jarvis Communications. Outside of the office, Olivia spends her time exploring local farmers’ markets, reading at the beach or searching for her new favorite wine and cheese pairings.

Henry

Office Dog

Henry, a terrier-mix, joined Jarvis Communications in April of 2015. One rare rainy LA day on a whim and with no dog in her immediate forecast, Katherine decided to check out the local pet adoption center with her daughters. Dogs howled, cats meowed, and Henry—without making a sound—looked her in the eyes. End of story. Kismet!

Henry loves to be loved—by humans and other dogs—and gives it back in spades. He can’t wait to come to the office every day to make the rounds (and hopefully get a treat!). Henry loves to chew on his Chewbacca toy, give kisses and run in his sleep. He listens to reggae, soul music, and hip hop. He thinks venison has potential for the next big food trend, and can smell a good Barolo from miles away.