Matt McDermott

Matt McDermott is a public opinion researcher and communications strategist. As Senior Vice President at Whitman Insight Strategies (WINS) in New York City, he has spent more than a decade helping political candidates, issue advocacy organizations, and brands make strategic decisions, tell their story, and grow their organization using research-backed insights.

His expertise in messaging strategy and targeting research has led to important victories in key political races and in a vast array of issue spaces related to public health, strengthening labor unions, civil rights, democracy reform, and youth political engagement + participation. His work on veteran suicide prevention was recognized by the ARF David Ogilvy Awards in 2022.

In addition to this work, Matt is a frequent print and television commentator on these issues, with hundreds of media appearances including in The Washington Post, BBC Newshour, The Nation, Politico, Vice, and Vox; and co-hosted a nationally syndicated political talk show on Free Speech TV. He provides winning strategic and communications advice to clients across the United States and around the globe.

Matt joined the Victory Fund Campaign Board in 2018, inspired by Victory’s devout belief that representation matters, and motivated to be a part of a community which believes that increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials can drive positive policy change and transform the political landscape.

Matt is a graduate of the George Washington University and lives in Providence, Rhode Island with his husband Dillon, a public-school teacher who inspires him every day, and their rambunctious cat Yuca.