Common Ground Research & Communications, LLC is a family-run small enterprise launched and managed by Karen Vaina and her son, David Vaina.  In addition to the company’s two principals, Common Ground has cultivated strong, dependable relationships with a fleet of talented photographers, Web programmers, printers, and event planners along the Treasure Coast. For both ecological and economic reasons, we strongly support other local businesses.

David Vaina

David Vaina is principal at Common Ground Research & Communications.  David, a native Floridian, relocated to the Treasure Coast in February 2009.  Since moving to the Treasure Coast, David has been a communications consultant to non-profits and small enterprises in Martin County, St. Lucie County, West Palm Beach, and New York City. He is currently the Communications Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County.

Before moving to Stuart, he wrote for an alternative newspaper and volunteered on an organic farm. But for most of the decade, he was a resident of Washington, DC. From 2000 to 2004, he was an analyst for a survey research firm, helping non-profits attract new members and change policy at the municipal, state, and national levels. Then from 2004 to 2008, he was a research associate and Web editor for the Project for Excellence in Journalism, administered by the Pew Research Center. At PEJ, David authored a number of key research reports on the network television, online media, and newspaper industries. He also oversaw the design, construction, and implementation of five different Web sites.

In addition to his work with Pew, David was a media consultant to the U.S. Department of State and published a number of articles and essays in both online and print publications, including CBSNews.com, Online Journalism Review, the Huffington Post, the St. Louis Journalism Review, two Gannett Company newspapers, and others. He has lectured on New Media trends to both U.S. and international audiences.

David earned his B.A. from Miami University and holds M.A. degrees from University College London (UK) and the Johns Hopkins University.  David also earned a certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  He is a Certified Grant Writer® and a board member of the Treasure Coast chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Karen Vaina

Karen Vaina is a sought-after graphic designer and freelance journalist, having published a number of articles for the Stuart News’ BoomerBeat and 50 Plus magazines. In addition to designing stacks of imaginative, beautiful invitations, posters, newsletters and flyers, Karen spent several years creating personalized magazine covers for people throughout the country.

Karen has served as chair of the Arts Council, Inc., president of Soroptimist International of Stuart, AAUW and Conger, was a founding member of Soroptimist Women of Distinction events and the mARTies Awards, and has also been a board member and officer for many local non-profits.

Karen is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and has completed advanced coursework in graphic design and photography.  In her free time, she enjoys her hour-long daily walks listening to podcasts on American history, reading, photography, tending to her organic vegetable and herb garden, and spending time with family and her close circle of friends.

Current and Past Clients

We want to thank each and every one of our clients.  It is your collective spirit of generosity and collaboration that makes Common Ground feel like so much more than just a job.

  • A Lighter Shade of Green
  • Arts Council, Inc.
  • Avenue D Boys’ Choir
  • Balanced BodyWorks
  • Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
  • Big Heart Brigade of the Treasure Coast
  • Council on Aging, Inc.
  • Cristina de la Vega
  • Dizzy Gillespie School of the Fine and Performing Arts
  • East Bay Culinary Projects
  • EcoArt Treasure Coast
  • Florida Republican Party
  • Library Foundation of Martin County
  • Mansions of Martin County
  • Pat Williams & Associates
  • Pink Tie Friends, Inc.
  • Rosalind Hall’s Downtown Fitness
  • Soroptimist International of Stuart
  • 3Putt Services & Nursery
  • United Way