MISSION & STORY
You're on a mission. We're on it with you.
OUR MISSION & STORY
​Mission & Story is the only communications firm in the country ​founded by an Emmy® Award-winning cable news producer and communications executive appointed by the President of the United States to lead strategy at two federal agencies.
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When the stakes are high, we don’t guess. We combine our experience in high-stakes environments at the highest levels of media and government to give our clients an edge other firms simply don't have the experience to deliver.
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With 20 years of experience inside of national newsrooms and the federal government, we help brands and causes navigate complex industry, media, and policy landscapes.​
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Our team comes to every table with a breaking news mentality, moving fast, staying sharp, and placing our clients where they need to be: on the stage and in headlines, policymaking circles, and the public's mind.
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Operating at the forefront of change, our clients are leading industries, building movements, and reshaping the world. ​Across brand strategy, public affairs, media training, media relations, video production, and other services, we build and execute a strategic blueprint that positions our clients at the center of the most important conversations that are influencing the cultural and policy arenas.
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This is Mission & Story. Let's make yours unforgettable.
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FOUNDER & CEO
Rachael Shackelford Dussuau is an Emmy® Award-winning cable news producer and former presidential appointee who helped lead communications strategy at two federal agencies.
As a producer at CNN, Rachael worked on several flagship, Washington-based programs, including State of the Union and The Situation Room, where she prepared some of the most recognizable faces in news for high-profile interviews.
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Now, on the other side of the screen, Rachael has worked with more than 100 nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, political organizations, and government agencies to advance their strategic communications objectives.
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Rachael served in the Biden-Harris Administration as the Associate Administrator (SES) for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration and Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications and Public Liaison at the Small Business Administration. ​
Rachael has an undergraduate degree in journalism from Florida A&M University and a graduate degree in international affairs from the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
WHERE CLIENTS HAVE APPEARED
PREVIOUS WORK
Public
Affairs
In today's high-stakes environment, policy doesn’t move on facts alone. It moves on what people believe. At Mission & Story, we develop sharp strategies that shape public perception. Whether it’s building coalitions, managing stakeholders, or shifting the narrative, we position our clients to gain the upper hand --- no matter the terrain.
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Success in policy is about connecting with the values and emotions that drive decisions. At Mission & Story, we use our newsroom and federal government background to craft strategies that build momentum. Whether it’s rallying support, influencing key audiences, or reframing the conversation, we help our clients navigate complex landscapes and win.
SERVICES
Brand
Strategy
​The right brand message, delivered the right way, can change everything. Even the most established brands can feel invisible among competitors, misunderstood by their audience, or struggle to grow in a crowded market. Whether you're navigating a challenge or launching something new, we craft strategic communication plans that strengthen your reputation, increase visibility, and deepen customer loyalty.
Our mission is to develop brand positioning that builds trust and creates a lasting competitive advantage at every turn. Whether you're starting from scratch or realigning for growth, we help turn brand confusion into brand confidence.
Crisis Communications
It's not just a crisis. Your reputation and client portfolio are on the line. ​Mission & Story helps protect you and your organization's reputation from an internal or external crisis. Our team will create a tailored strategy based on your circumstances to mitigate the threat.
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We bring experience from the highest levels of media and government communications, giving us a clear understanding of how fast crises unfold—and how to respond with clarity and control. From message development and media handling to internal communications and stakeholder management, we act quickly to contain risk and preserve trust. Whether you're facing a sudden reputational threat or managing a long-simmering issue, Mission & Story is your partner in protecting what matters most.
Media
Relations
With a decade inside of CNN’s newsrooms—spanning departments and major shows—no other firm speaks the language of producers and guest bookers as fluently as Mission & Story. We were in the room when booking decisions were made and, often, the ones making the calls, coordinating interviews, and shaping the segments. We know exactly how the media game is played because we’ve played it from the inside.
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Our deep media relationships and hands-on booking experience give us a clear edge in getting clients in front of the right reporters, podcasters, and influencers. Backed by sharp messaging, we don’t chase headlines. We build strategies that put our clients at the center of the headlines and conversations that matter.
Media
Training
We work with our media training clients to establish authority in the most important conversations. Each session is tailored with a strategic objective, helping our clients create a lasting impression in front of key audiences.
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With a decade of cable news experience, we have booked and produced guest interviews at the highest levels. Now on the other side of the newsroom, Mission & Story teaches our media training clients how to leverage the media as a part of a broader communications strategy.
Video
Production
Founded by an Emmy® Award-winning producer, we know how to tell a story. We work with our top-tier production partners to create video that is as strategic as it is unforgettable. From scriptwriting to shooting in the field to post-production, and everything in between, our firm is the firm to produce creative, memorable content for any target audience.
Political
Candidates
Mission & Story crafts communications strategies for local, state, and federal level candidates across the country. From the moment you decide to run for office through Election Day, Mission & Story is your communications partner. We work with our political clients to shape, change, and run the world. ​
