Heather Holdridge is a left-of-center digital strategist who since November 2021 has been the managing director of Real Voices Media, a news aggregator that operates a network of social media, community, and news websites that support Democratic candidates and policy positions. Holdridge previously worked for Planned Parenthood Federation of America for 10 years, eventually serving as its national director of digital content and campaigns. ^{1 2}

Background

Heather Holdridge attended Tufts University, graduating in 1995. From 1995 to 1999 she was the legislative director at Project Vote Smart (now known as Vote Smart). From 1999 to 2005, she was online organizing director for Carol/Trevelyan Strategy Group (CTSG), a left-of-center internet consulting firm that built websites for groups including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Amnesty International. CTSG was later acquired by left-leaning technology consultancy Kintera. ³

From 2005 to 2009, Holdridge worked for activism-related social networking site Care2, a hosting platform for online petitions, where she worked to connect the 7 million activists on the platform with left-of-center advocacy organizations, movements, and political campaigns. ⁴

From 2009 to 2011, Holdridge worked for public relations firm Fenton Communications, whose clients include many notable left-of-center activist groups including Black Voters Matter, the Center for Popular Democracy, Green New Deal Network, and the State Innovation Exchange. Holdridge worked with Suzanne Turner, another cofounder of Real Voices Media, while at Fenton Communications. ^{5 6 7}

Planned Parenthood

In 2011, Heather Holdridge joined Planned Parenthood Federation of America as the director of digital strategy and in 2018 she became national director of digital content and campaigns. Holdridge was a frequent presenter at the left-of-center Netroots Nation conference, and has given several presentations to the conference including “#AbortionIsEssential. Tell a friend, NOW!,” and “A Pink Case Study: Why the Progressive Movement Is Stronger Together.” ^{8 9}

Real Voices Media

In 2021, Heather Holdridge left her role at Planned Parenthood Federation of America and became the managing director of Real Voices Media, a news aggregator that operates a network of social media, community, and news websites that support Democratic candidates and policy positions. The group is notable for its use of Facebook pages centered around nonpolitical topics that it uses to promote political content. Holdridge leads the group and its more 400 Facebook pages which have promoted the policy priorities of, among others, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) and the Biden administration. According to Open Secrets, the group has spent $7.9 million on Facebook ads since 2020. ^{10 11}

Holdridge gave an interview to Axios about the organization in March 2022 but declined to elaborate on its legal structure. She also did not provide any details on how the group is funded aside from naming Democratic strategist Will Robinson of The New Media Firm as an early investor. ¹²

1. Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios. March 27, 2022. Accessed March 30, 2022. https://www.axios.com/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections-cb4eb429-4444-4a94-8959-d05043289146.html
2. “Heather Holdridge.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-holdridge-803497/
3. “Heather Holdridge.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-holdridge-803497/
4. “Heather Holdridge.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-holdridge-803497/
5. Heather Holdridge.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-holdridge-803497/
6. “Clients.” Fenton Communications. Accessed March 28, 2022.  https://fenton.com/clientsissues/
7. “Suzanne Turner.” Turner4d. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://turner4d.com/biographies/suzanne-turner/
8. “Heather Holdridge.” NetRoots Nation. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.netrootsnation.org/profile/heather-holdridge/
9. “Heather Holdridge.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-holdridge-803497/
10. Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios. March 27, 2022. Accessed March 30, 2022. https://www.axios.com/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections-cb4eb429-4444-4a94-8959-d05043289146.html
11. “Real Voices Media.” Open Secrets. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.opensecrets.org/online-ads/advertiser/real-voices-media/1093
12. Markay, Lachlan. “Scoop: Progressives build massive, cloaked online powerhouse.” Axios. March 27, 2022. Accessed March 30, 2022. https://www.axios.com/progressives-online-powerhouse-elections-cb4eb429-4444-4a94-8959-d05043289146.html