Mike Shields is a Founder of Convergence Media, a boutique marketing, branding and public affairs agency. Convergence has quickly grown to become the premier marketing agency in the political and government space, trusted by clients from national political figures to Fortune 100 companies. Shields brings more than 30 years of experience working at the national political level, leading party committees, outside groups and major campaigns. He was described by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as “one of the most talented political minds I know.” Possibly Shields’ most impactful work came as the Chief of Staff to the RNC during the 2013-2014 election cycle where Shields created and implemented a data renaissance for the modern Republican Party. Shields’ vision became a new data ecosystem on the right, a new $175 million data platform, and a fundamental rethinking of the role of party committees as data marketing operations. This vision helped lead Republicans to election victories in the Senate in 2014 and the Presidency in 2016, and moved Republicans ahead in the data “space race” with the left. Before his role as Chief of Staff, Shields worked as Political Director and Independent Expenditure Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, overseeing their national advertising campaign during the historic congressional victory of 2010 when Republicans won a historic 63 seats. Shields has also served as President of American Action Network and Congressional Leadership Fund, the House Republican leadership’s SuperPAC. Shields is proud to consider Newt Gingrich as his mentor, having served as the former Speaker’s Communications Director in his early career. Shields has also served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Dave Reichert of Washington state, helping him to upset victories in 2006 and 2008; and as a political commentator for CNN. Born in the United States on a U.S. Air Force Base to an American father and British mother, Shields moved with his family to Great Britain as a child where he lived for 10 years, helping to shape his political views during the Thatcher and Reagan years. He now splits time between his Virginia and Georgia offices and his home in Florida with his wife Katie Walsh Shields and their son Aidan.
