We empower mission-driven organizations to amplify their stories.

What We Provide

Client-Specific Advice

2 triangles pointing downward

We prioritize the needs of our clients by building relationships, listening, asking good questions, and developing solutions that meet their needs.

Big-Picture Thinking

We develop a strategic approach ahead of execution, not vice versa.

Message Alignment

We help our clients identify and elevate stories with a strong connection to their mission and values.

Crisp Execution

We deliver high-quality, high-impact work on time, every time.

Integrated Communications

4 overlapping diamonds

Our strategy for marketing and communications integrates digital and traditional media with social media, press outreach and more.

Responsiveness

News moves fast and so do we. We’re available to our clients in real time when it matters.

Mango Strategies helps mission-driven organizations solve critical challenges and advance key initiatives through effective communication with their core audiences.

Meet the Founders

Steve Mancini

Principal

Steve has two decades of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, and brand development. Steve began his career as a high school social studies teacher, later working in the Clinton Administration and then as national public affairs director for the KIPP Foundation for 16 years.

Chris Gonzalez

Principal

Chris has 15+ years of experience working in communications and public schools. A former YES Prep history teacher and long-time marketing and development leader at KIPP Houston, Chris also served for 12 years on the Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees in Houston, Texas.

Meet the Mango Team

Testimonials

Lisa Margosian

Former Interim CEO, Ascend Public Charter Schools

Not only has our digital strategy benefited tremendously from the Mango Team’s deep know-how and capacity, they have also been thoughtful, proactive collaborators across our other student recruitment strategies. They are as committed as we are to help us develop relationships with prospective families. It has been a pleasure to work with them as our marketing and communications partners.

Ana Maria Aristizabal

Director of Growth and Advocacy, KIPP Northern California

The Mango team helped a coalition of Stockton charter leaders navigate a set of key communication challenges at a critical time. Mango’s strategic advice and responsiveness allowed us to frame the narrative, build communications capacity, and come together as a high-functioning team.

John Sun

CEO, Pacific Charter School Development

We hired Mango Strategies to develop a strategic communications plan. They laid out a 5-month process to get us from point A to point B. They delivered new messaging that is more in line with who we are, what we do, and how we work with our partners.

Jen Wickens

Co-CEO, Impact Public Schools

Working with Mango Strategies was a game-changer for our organization. Their professionalism, empathy, humor, and partnership mentality is unmatched. Steve Mancini is a mentor to everyone he works with--including me and other members of the Impact Team. His strategic eye and flexibility in the face of crisis was invaluable, and helped us prevail through a significant external communications challenge. Steve also developed our internal capacity to prepare for the next hurdle. I highly recommend Mango to anyone seeking to drive meaningful change.

Julie Maier

Partner and COO, Charter School Growth Fund

For over 10 years, Steve has been a dedicated partner and trusted expert on strategic communications and crisis management for CSGF and more than 25 charter school networks within our portfolio. He provides invaluable counsel to CEOs, board members, and PR/marketing leaders, fueled by his own passion for creating more educational opportunities for students everywhere.

Darius Kirk

Executive Director, KIPP Tulsa and KIPP OKC

Chris is a force to be reckoned with. She eloquently listens to the heartbeat of the leader and crafts a message that is able to resonate with all stakeholders. This unique gift is imperative as you are building or rebuilding an organization's branding. Do yourself and your organization a favor and reach out to them for all your marketing and communication needs.

Laura Lee McGovern

Chief of Staff, Uncommon Schools

Steve and his team engaged with us as thoughtful and strategic partners in navigating through a set of new, complex communications challenges. I was very grateful for their expertise, support, and flexibility throughout our work together.

Mashea Ashton

Founder and CEO, Digital Pioneers Academy

Steve, Chris, and the entire Mango team have been incredible partners to us at Digital Pioneers Academy. They support our communication strategies and efforts related to student and talent recruitment marketing. They also have helped our school community navigate sensitive and challenging situations. In every interaction, the Mango team is thoughtful, strategic, and flexible to meet the needs of our school. They set a high bar for client service, and I cannot recommend them more highly.

Brian Neal

CEO, Accelerate Great Schools

Over the past six months, my team and I have been working with Chris and Steve to support our complex and strategic communications needs. We have been extremely pleased with their ability to help us navigate the vast world of communications, while providing us with the personalized support necessary as we work to support our community partners and families. I would strongly recommend Chris and Steve to anyone in need of communications professionals who get things done!