Lauren Schregardus is Vice President of Strategic Communications for BAR Communications. With more than 20 years in media and public relations at PR agencies, in government and in the private sector, her current focus and passion drive creative, strategic stories for her clients.

She previously worked at Dittoe Public Relations and served as director of communications for iStudio Salons, a growing salon concept started by her husband. In that role, Lauren specialized in direct marketing and internal communications, as well as directing social media and public relations campaigns. During this period, she helped grow the business from three locations to seven locations with nearly 200 salon professionals in three states.

Lauren also served in state government as spokeswoman for former Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett and the Indiana Department of Education as well as director of media relations for the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency.

Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She currently serves on the board of directors of Summer Stock Stage and Discovering Broadway, is a senior contributor to Indianapolis Moms. Lauren is a current member of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class XLVIII and is an active alumni of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Lauren is a current member of Hoosier PRSA and was their 2022 Pinnacle Award recipient for excellence in public relations. She lives in Zionsville, Indiana with her husband, James, and her two children, Andrew and Madison.

Laurel Judkins is a Strategic Partner for BAR Communications. She has over 20 years of public and private sector experience in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, law, and reputation management within many industries including global manufacturing, economic development and public safety. Her firm, Judkins Strategies, LLC, is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. 

She most recently served as the executive vice president of external engagement for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, where her team led all marketing, brand and messaging for the state’s economic development strategy. Before that, she led teams at Cummins, Inc. dedicated to the company’s corporate brand and executive communications, including the launch of the company’s first global brand campaign. She began her career as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Indianapolis and went on to serve as Director of Elections for the Marion County Election Board and Chief Counsel to Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry.

Laurel has served on the boards of multiple civic and non-profit organizations, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Exodus Refugee Immigration (current Vice President), the Indiana Writers Center and the City of Indianapolis’ Equal Opportunity Advisory Board. She has been recognized as a “Forty Under 40” leader by the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Laurel is a graduate of Indiana University and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She resides in Indianapolis with her two teenagers, Metta and William, and her husband, Craig Von Deylen. 

Aaron Smith is a Strategic Partner for BAR Communications. For more than 10 years, he has worked alongside elected officials and leaders in the hospitality and tourism industries to craft creative and strategic solutions.

He previously worked as a digital communications director in the United States Senate for Senator Dan Coats. This included responsibilities for the Joint Economic Committee, which Senator Dan Coats chaired, and roles in Coats’ DC and Indiana-based personal offices.

Outside of his role at BAR Communications, Aaron also serves on the Noblesville City Council as the representative for the 3rd District. Recently as Council president, he spearheaded and personally negotiated two landmark developments: securing a partnership with the Indiana Pacers and orchestrating the Pulte Del Webb agreement—the largest residential investment in Noblesville’s history. His leadership has helped shape the trajectory of Noblesville, now Indiana’s 9th largest city with a thriving population of over 75,000 residents. His impact and leadership were recently recognized when he was named to the prestigious Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” Class of 2024. Aaron shares his vision for Noblesville’s future with his wife, Bronwen, whom he married in 2015, and their two young children, Declan and Parker.

Jonathan Kopp is the Director of Strategic Communications for BAR Communications. Jonathan has over seven years of experience in communications and public affairs, most recently serving as the director of a grassroots energy advocacy organization where he organized support for local projects, educated elected officials, and created and curated content for social media.

Prior to that, Jonathan served the Indiana GOP and Eric Holcomb for Indiana in the communications department, as well as on a U.S. Senate Primary campaign where he worked with the political and communications teams.

Jonathan played soccer at Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) before transferring to Marian University in Indianapolis, where he graduated summa cum laude in Management as a member of the men’s soccer team. He is also a member of the Indiana Leadership Forum Class of 2022, the American Enterprise Institute Millennial Leadership Network, and the Marketing & Communications Co-Chair for the CFA Society of Indianapolis Board. Originally from Avon, Indiana, Jonathan now resides in downtown Indianapolis.

Abbey Moman is the Director of Client Operations for BAR Communications. She has over 10 years of experience in strategic communications, office administration and customer experience. 

She most recently worked for indie record label Joyful Noise Recordings as their Online Community Manager where she managed a Discord community and social media content for artist campaigns and milestones. She also served as the Customer Sales Coordinator at a nationally recognized cabinet manufacturer for almost a decade, in which she was granted the President’s Staff Award for outstanding contributions to both customers and the company. While there, she led social media and blogging efforts, developed branding content and product ideas, and was appointed chair of the Customer Experience-Dealer Experience team. Abbey has previously spent a two year term as secretary for the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Indiana chapter. Additionally, she was an editorial intern at Emmis Communications – Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.

Abbey attended Hanover College and eventually transferred to Purdue University, where she studied English Literature and Professional Writing. While she was an undergraduate, she was nominated for the Professional Writing showcase and performed in the Purduettes varsity choir. She currently resides in downtown Indianapolis with her husband and dog.

Ellie Acra is the Communications Manager for BAR Communications. Ellie has over five years of experience in the political and public affairs world through internships and organizational involvement, working on multiple local and federal campaigns and interning with elected officials. 

Her experience spans four years at Purdue University, where she worked as a strategic communications intern under Purdue Marketing and Communications, served as an account coordinator at the university’s student-run PR firm, and assumed the role of news director at Purdue University’s Fast Track News. Ellie’s passion for public relations is positioned alongside experience as a reporter at The 812, an emerging news media group in her hometown of southern Indiana.

Now based in Indianapolis, Ellie is involved in the Greater Indianapolis Republican Women’s Club and serves as a committee chair for the Indiana Federation of Republican Women. Ellie is also involved at St. John’s Parish downtown.

Ryan Everett is a current senior at Purdue University pursuing a bachelor’s in Political Science and Communications, with concentrations in International Relations and Public Relations. On and off campus, Ryan has cultivated a diverse set of experiences across public relations, leadership, and customer-facing roles.

At Purdue, Ryan has served as an Account Coordinator for Black & Gold Buzz Public Relations, where he collaborated with peers to research, plan, and implement PR campaigns, producing key deliverables such as media lists and email templates for clients including the Purdue Center on Artificial Intelligence for Digital, Autonomous and Augmented Aviation (AIDA3). He has also contributed to student governance by serving on the Student Organization Grant Allocation Board and the Student Fee Application Board, where he helps to oversee and report on the allocation of campus resources.

Originally from Fishers, Ryan has previously worked two seasons as a Golf Professional Staff Assistant at Meridian Hills Country Club in Indianapolis, organizing events, creating exceptional member experiences and honing his operational skills. He is involved at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue and an active supporter of Purdue Athletics.