Government Relations
The process of municipal and state permitting and entitlements is complex. We simplify  what can be a complicated process to align you with Beacon Hill and  cities and towns so that your project can stay on time and on budget.

Community Engagement

Municipalities and neighborhoods require a targeted educational effort to satisfy safety and environmental challenges, all of which are critical to generating support. We partner with our clients to build communities, not just projects. We have a boots on the ground approach to drive consensus in neighborhoods, that results in successful projects for the community and the client.

Communications

We develop meaningful and dynamic media and social media campaigns to solidify and share your story. Our media placements are impactful and a call to action. We use an array of online digital tools - from landing pages to online forums in order to educate the public and enhance your project message.

pamela mcdermott

Founder + CEO

Pam has been a trusted leader and strategist in Boston’s real estate industry for over 30 years.  She’s had her hand in some of the largest and most prominent--and complicated--projects in the City’s skyline.  

Pam brings her unique perspective and experience to every client; she is a force, with the ideal combination of determination,grit, and grace.   Her 30 plus years immersed in the industry and delivering client results has made her the ‘go-to’ woman in communications and real estate in Boston.

Pam founded three companies in her career and that entrepreneurial spirit has stuck with her as the real estate landscape has changed in Boston. She has been a mentor and strategist for prominent CEO’s and a trusted advisor in numerous industries. 

She lives in the Seaport with her husband and daughter. 

Carolyn l. spicer

President

Carolyn Spicer has been at the center of some of the city’s most complex urban projects, and has been driving impactful conversations about building communities for 20+ years.   You will find her at neighborhood meetings, discussions around  arts and housing, and  working with local community leaders to identify new ideas for project public benefits.  Carolyn understands that a successful project meets the needs of both the neighborhood and the City.  

Across a number of neighborhoods, Carolyn has been dialed into waterfront development,  synchronizing new infrastructure with the natural environment. She also works alongside partners and developers in the life sciences industry as they expand their footprint across eastern Massachusetts. 

She has lived in South Boston and the Ft. Pt Channel neighborhoods for 16 years with her husband and son, Charlie. 

Magnolia M. Dow

Director of Communications

Maggie is our communications guru.  In the ten years Maggie has been with McDermott Ventures, she has brought a unique approach to each of her local and national clients, establishing new communications systems and platforms to better engage a project’s surrounding community. Maggie has established brands and repositioned over 5 million sf of commercial real estate assets through strategic media introductions and placements,  and high-profile groundbreaking events. Maggie’s partnerships with Greater Boston’s communities and neighborhoods is leaving a lasting impact on Boston’s skyline.

Maggie lives on the South Shore with her wife, daughter, and dog. She earned her B.A. from The University of Vermont.

Kristen SCANLON

Kristen Scanlon of Scanlon Law, LLC is an attorney specializing in food and alcoholic beverages licensing, permitting, zoning, and real estate development consulting. In the Greater Boston area and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, she guides clients through the entire licensing and permitting process, including navigation of the community outreach and government relations process, lease and asset purchase negotiations, completion of the liquor license application and zoning appeals processes, and successful representation of businesses (restaurants, bars, hotels, package stores, etc.) before municipal and state Boards for both transactional and disciplinary proceedings.

Kristen is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New York and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She received her J.D. from New England School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court team and a recipient of the Cali Award for Excellence in Trial Practice. 

Kristen is also the co-founder of Pilates with Purpose, Inc., a non-profit organization established in 2014, which organizes monthly events for professional women in Boston to learn how to stay fit, build their professional and support networks, and raise money for local charities supporting women, families and children throughout the Boston-metro area.

Kristen Daly

Kristen Daly is the principal and owner of KDaly Communications LLC, a consulting firm specializing in executive level message development, speechwriting, and presentation execution. For nearly 25 years Kristen has been a fixture in Boston media as a producer, broadcast reporter/anchor, and award winning PR executive. Kristen currently works with clients to better communicate their message and vision to create a stronger brand. With clients in healthcare, national defense, transportation, the alcoholic beverage industry and many more, she is a sought after partner known for her no nonsense, direct style that cuts through the noise and zeros in on success. The first question she asks clients is, “What are you trying to say and why should people pay attention?” 

She is a board member of The Jett Foundation, and has worked extensively with other non-profits including Tailored for Education and Dress for Success Boston. Kristen holds a BA and an honorary Doctorate from Framingham State University. She is married with two children and lives in the Greater Boston area.

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