Doug Thornell
CEO
SKDK
About Doug Thornell
Doug is the Chief Executive Officer at SKDK, the co-head of its advertising department, and one of the few Black CEOs of a major public affairs/political consulting firm in the world. National Journal named him to their list of “50 People Changing the Game in Washington” and wrote that he “is one of the most plugged-in public affairs professionals in Washington.” His vision for the firm is to continue to do “Impactful work that matters.”
In 2024 and 2023, PRWeek named him to their Top 50 Power List of the most powerful movers and shakers in the industry. Doug joined SKDK in 2011 and has served as a top advisor to Presidential, House, Senate and gubernatorial campaigns, Fortune 50 companies and progressive and civil rights organizations. He continues to advise leading brands, Sports leagues, business organizations, civil rights groups, and elected officials.
In 2022, Doug oversaw an advertising department that produced over 700 ads and won numerous awards. He was the lead media consultant and top strategist for Wes Moore’s historic winning gubernatorial campaign. He was also the media consultant for the NAACP, Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Glenn Ivey, Rep. Joe Morelle, Rep. Shontel Brown, and part of the advertising team for the DCCC IE and Senate Majority PAC.
Over his 20-year career, Doug has been a lead media strategist to the Democratic National Committee, the top spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a senior aide at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and a top advisor to both Senator Chris Van Hollen and the Congressional Black Caucus, as well as the traveling spokesman for Governor Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign.
He began his career as a political organizer in Iowa on Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign. Doug resides in Maryland with his wife, Katie, their daughter, Olivia, and their two dogs, Sam and Ernie. He graduated from Cornell University where he played varsity football and earned a degree in government.