Lobbying firm’s many roles in the aftermath of Boyle Heights fire

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

M Strategic Communications was hired by Lineage shortly after the Boyle Heights warehouse fire to manage crisis communications and lobby Los Angeles city officials, including facilitating funds distribution to local relief organizations through the California Community Foundation. The firm's close connections to Mayor Karen Bass and multiple clients involved in fire recovery efforts underscore its influential role in shaping the community's response and ongoing policy discussions.

In the weeks following the June fire at the Lineage cold storage facility in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, one prominent lobbying firm has taken a central role in managing the aftermath and related city interactions. M Strategic Communications was hired by Lineage just two days after the warehouse blaze, which released toxic smoke and the stench of decomposing food from 85 million pounds of spoiled goods, affecting the surrounding community.

According to documents filed with the city’s Ethics Commission, M Strategic Communications is tasked with lobbying the mayor’s office and other city officials, as well as handling crisis communications connected to the fire’s impact. Soon after the fire began, Lineage CEO Greg Lehmkuhl contacted Mayor Karen Bass, who recommended that Lineage direct funds to the California Community Foundation (CCF) for distribution to local organizations providing relief.

CCF, which also engaged M Strategic Communications to lobby for proposed changes to the city’s mansion tax, had already established a fund to assist residents affected by the fire. Following Bass’ suggestion, M Strategic facilitated communication between its two clients—Lineage and CCF. To date, CCF has disbursed approximately $2 million to more than 20 community groups serving Boyle Heights.

M Strategic Communications maintains close ties to the mayor’s office. Shannon Murphy, one of the firm’s principals, previously served as deputy chief of staff to Bass during her tenure as speaker of the State Assembly and remains a trusted confidant. Additionally, the firm subcontracted part of its contract with Lineage to Yusef Robb, a former unpaid advisor and spokesperson to Mayor Bass who stepped down from his advisory role after media reports highlighted his simultaneous work for Lineage.

The firm’s network extends further into other local relief efforts. Airbnb, which has provided over 1,000 nights of free housing to residents displaced by the fire, is another M Strategic Communications client. The firm was originally retained by Airbnb to assist with efforts to legalize short-term vacation rentals in Los Angeles. During a contentious town hall meeting in Boyle Heights, Bass noted Airbnb’s role in offering short-term rental assistance to affected residents.

“We are grateful that so many of those we work with step up when Los Angeles is in need,” said Chris Modrzejewski, a principal at M Strategic Communications, reflecting on the firm’s involvement across multiple fronts linked to the fire and community recovery efforts.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.