How Lobbying Firms are Changing their Structures and Advocacy Strategy

Kate Ackley is a senior reporter on Bloomberg Government's Congress Team where she covers influence and lobbying on Capitol Hill. She is an expert on K Street and the relationship between Congress and those seeking to influence it. She has won several awards for her news coverage and columns, including the National Press Club’s Lee Walczak Award for Political Analysis. Recent TV appearances include C-SPAN, MSNBC, and Fox5.

Keenan Austin Reed, a national leader on policy and politics, serves as a principal at the Alpine Group, a top 20 lobbying firm and a member company of the Public Policy Holding Company. Austin Reed is also a Board member of the Public Policy Holding Company. She is best known for mobilizing her immense network and building brands and coalitions to advance the goals of her clients and the broader Capitol Hill community. Austin Reed joined Alpine Group in 2021 and has swiftly risen to the firm’s leadership. At Alpine, she is responsible for advocacy across a broad range of policy areas, this includes contributing to initiatives led by the Congressional Black Caucus, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Biden Administration, where her expertise in campaigns, media, energy, climate, health, technology, and telecommunications has proved invaluable. Austin Reed was recently named “Lobbyist of the Year” by the prestigious Washington Government Relations Group and has been consistently recognized a ‘Top Lobbyist’ by The Hill. Austin Reed was featured in the U.S. Black Chambers 2024 Power50, a list of the country’s leading women in politics and business. Austin Reed is the founder and of the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA), an organization to support and uplift Black women in public service. BWCA has a membership of over 800 current and former staffers and has been credited for being a force in diversifying the legislative and executive branches. In May 2021, Austin Reed testified before the U.S. House Select Committee on Modernization on ways the Capitol Hill community can attract and retain top talent. Austin Reed has served in a number of policy and political roles, including Chief of Staff for Congressman Donald McEachin (2017-2020); Florida Political Director to Secretary Hillary Clinton (2016); Chief of Staff to D.C. Councilmember David Grosso; and Deputy Chief of Staff/Senior Advisor (2011-2015). Austin Reed’s contributions continue through various directorships and leadership roles including Advisory Council Chair at GlobalWIN, Vice Chair of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Corporate Advisory Council, and Vice Chair of SOME’s (So Others May Eat) Corporate Advisory Board. Austin Reed received her bachelor’s degree and MBA from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Arshi is a leading strategist and lobbyist with a national practice focused on synthesizing public policy and politics into successful federal strategies. She is consistently sought out for her ability to form bipartisan coalitions, navigate intractable public policy challenges and help companies build their brands in Washington. Drawing upon more than 25 years of public & private sector experience, Arshi’s practice focuses on a wide range of issues, including tax, technology, entertainment, telecommunications, health care and international trade matters. She represents trade associations, coalitions, emerging technology firms and artificial intelligence (AI) companies, as well as established market leaders across sectors. Arshi’s current clients include the Coalition for 1099-K Fairness, Comcast NBCUniversal, American Airlines, Center for AI Safety Action Fund, Business Roundtable, Abbott Laboratories, Micron Technology, Council on Foundations and Revive Environmental, to other Fortune 500 companies and their C-suite executives. The common thread running through Arshi’s work is the ability to engage on strategy, policy and politics, which affords clients with an advocate who can craft and execute targeted strategies to achieve their public policy goals. Before joining Akin in 2010, Arshi served as senior advisor and counsel to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). During her time in the Speaker’s office, Arshi focused on tax, international trade, innovation, health care, financial services and retirement issues, working closely with the relevant committees, House and Senate leadership, the administration and individual members of Congress to advance legislation. Earlier in her career, Arshi worked at a leading D.C. law firm, served as Ways and Means counsel and policy advisor to various members of Congress, and worked on a number of federal campaigns.

Lindley Kratovil Sherer, co-chair of Invariant’s government relations practice, leverages twenty years of experience on Capitol Hill, in the Executive Branch, and on national Republican political campaigns to provide strategic advice and service to Invariant’s clients. She works on issues from defense and education to technology and appropriations. She consistently helps secure wins for clients in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Most recently, Lindley served as chief of staff to Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), where she managed offices in Washington and upstate New York. She led defense, veterans, and education initiatives that resulted in House passage of multiple legislative measures. Additionally, she coordinated Stefanik’s efforts as the National Republican Campaign Committee’s recruitment chair during the 2018 election cycle. Lindley previously served as legislative director to Representatives Todd Rokita (R-IN) and Scott Tipton (R-CO). She worked in the George W. Bush Administration in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, in Treasury’s Office of Legislative Affairs, and for Vice President Richard B. Cheney. Lindley graduated from Vanderbilt University.