Meet the Team
Jonathan Lawler, Founder/CEO/Lead Strategist
Jonathan is a nationally recognized rural outreach and communications strategist and the founder of Rural Strategies Group. Known for his ability to connect with working families, farmers, small business owners, and community leaders, Jonathan helps organizations build trust, navigate challenges, and win support in rural America.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has partnered with major brands and media platforms including Disney+, Tyson Foods, RFD-TV, CNN, Culver's, and Mike Rowe. He has led successful public affairs, communications, and grassroots campaigns at the local, state, and national levels, earning a reputation for delivering results in high-pressure situations.
A respected advocate for agriculture and rural communities, Jonathan has built an audience of hundreds of thousands through his writing, filmmaking, public speaking, and digital content. His work addressing food insecurity earned recognition on the floor of the United States Senate and the prestigious Jefferson Award for public service.
What sets Jonathan apart is his authentic, blue-collar approach. He is most at home in communities, building relationships and earning trust rather than sitting behind a desk. Combining strategic insight, creativity, and hands-on experience, he helps clients engage rural audiences, overcome opposition, and achieve meaningful results.
Victoria Herring, Executive Vice President, Partner, and Lead Strategist
Victoria Herring is Executive Vice President, Partner, and Lead Strategist at Rural Strategies Group. As a member of the firm’s executive leadership team, she helps guide its strategic direction while leading client engagements involving economic development, community relations, public affairs, and rural investment.
Victoria works with companies, government leaders, and industry associations to develop strategies that build trust, strengthen local partnerships, shape public understanding, and move complex projects forward in rural communities.
Before joining Rural Strategies Group, Victoria served as Economic Development Program Manager for QTS Data Centers, supporting economic development initiatives across the United States. She previously held leadership positions with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, where she led business attraction and economic development efforts throughout Indiana.
Victoria began her career with the Grant County Economic Growth Council, leading business retention and expansion, workforce development, and talent-attraction initiatives. Her innovative “Grants for Grads” talent-recruitment program earned national recognition and was featured on Fox Business.
Her experience across the private sector, state government, and local economic development gives Victoria a practical understanding of what it takes to earn community trust, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and create lasting economic opportunities. She brings that perspective to every engagement, helping Rural Strategies Group’s clients approach rural communities with credibility, clarity, and purpose.
Elijah Lawler, Stakeholder Relations Director and Associate Strategist.
Elijah Lawler serves as one of our Stakeholder Affairs Directors and Associate Strategist for Rural Strategies Group, helping organizations connect with younger audiences and emerging community leaders. Raised on a working farm, Elijah brings firsthand knowledge of rural life and a deep understanding of the issues that matter to the next generation.
Specializing in outreach to individuals under 30, Elijah combines grassroots engagement with modern communication strategies to build relationships, foster trust, and create meaningful connections. His natural ability to connect with people and make them feel valued has made him particularly effective in working with local elected officials, community leaders, and young advocates.
Despite his young age, Elijah has developed a strong reputation as a skilled political operative and communicator. He understands how to navigate complex local dynamics, identify key influencers, and help organizations build lasting support within rural communities. His approachable style, authenticity, and strong work ethic allow him to bridge generational gaps while ensuring younger voices remain part of important conversations.
As part of the Rural Strategies Group team, Elijah brings energy, creativity, and a fresh perspective to every project, helping clients engage the next generation of rural leaders and stakeholders.
Erin Peters, Senior Project Manager
Erin Peters serves as Senior Project Manager at Rural Strategies Group, bringing more than 20 years of legal, commercial, regulatory, and project-management experience to the firm. A licensed Indiana attorney, Erin helps clients manage complex initiatives, negotiate agreements, navigate government and regulatory processes, and move projects from strategy through execution.
Before joining Rural Strategies Group, Erin held senior commercial and contract leadership positions with Rolls-Royce Corporation and Raytheon. At Rolls-Royce, she led commercial and contractual strategy for aerospace programs valued at more than $100 million, including engine programs supporting the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Global Hawk, C-130J Hercules, C-27J Spartan, and Embraer commercial aircraft. Her work earned multiple Rolls-Royce Defense President’s Awards.
Erin’s public-sector experience includes serving as Commission Counsel for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, where she advised state commissioners on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters affecting Indiana’s public utilities. She managed public rulemaking proceedings across the state and served as a liaison among the Commission, utility companies, and Indiana ratepayers. She also served as Legal and Government Affairs Manager for Centaur Gaming, providing legal and regulatory guidance while building coalitions around complex policy issues.
In addition to her corporate, legal, and government experience, Erin has invested significant sweat equity in her family farm and family-owned general contracting business. That firsthand experience gives her a practical understanding of rural businesses, working families, and the communities Rural Strategies Group serves.
Erin earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Political Science from Marian University. She has been licensed to practice law in Indiana since 2002.
A Note About Our Team
The individuals featured on this page represent only a portion of the Rural Strategies Group team. Because our work frequently involves sensitive projects, confidential client matters, and complex public-affairs engagements, certain team members, advisors, and strategic partners are not publicly identified. Additional information may be provided to clients when appropriate and subject to applicable confidentiality obligations.