Featuring: Ryann Hill, Founder & CEO of Indigo Hill Strategies
Recently we sat down with Ryann Hill from Indigo Hill Strategies to discuss her impressive career journey and what it’s like being a lobbyist. Indigo Hills Strategies is a boutique government affairs, public policy and lobbying firm specializing in navigating the complex landscape of policy, lobbying and strategic consulting to empower organizations to achieve impactful change.
How did you get started in lobbying, and what drew you to this field?
I got started in lobbying unintentionally. After receiving my Master’s Degree in Public Health, spending time on Capitol Hill, and working as a health policy consultant in the Obama Administration, I was on the hunt for a job that married my two chief passions: health policy and politics. I landed a job that sat perfectly at that intersection and found out shortly after starting that I’d need to register as a lobbyist. I was thrilled and nervous. I was excited to have found the perfect job for my passions and nervous to officially enter the lobbying profession. Little did I know I would fall in love with lobbying! So much so that I would start my own lobbying and public policy firm, Indigo Hill Strategies, nearly 15 years later.
What are the primary goals and responsibilities of a lobbyist? What are your goals at your firm Indigo Hill Strategies?
The primary goals and responsibilities of a lobbyist are to educate policymakers and their staff and influence legislation/ legislative outcomes. Indigo Hill Strategies seeks to do just that. The mission of the firm is to use public policy as a tool to improve the lives of underserved and/or vulnerable populations. That said, the firm works with clients to raise awareness of their issues before policymakers and their staff while also creating a legislative and regulatory environment that allows our clients to advance their missions.
What are some of the key skills that you believe have been crucial to your success as a lobbyist?
The skill that has been the most important to my success is creativity. As a lobbyist, I have to be creative in order to be effective. I frequently have to craft nuanced, persuasive arguments that are tailored to specific audiences – often at the drop of a hat. I also have to be creative in strategy development – thinking of friends and foes and creating strategies that expand the reach and impact of my arguments.
Can you walk me through a typical day in your role as a lobbyist?
A “typical” day usually has a combination of client meetings and/or updates, communications or meetings with Hill staff or policymakers, networking and lots of reading. I always start my day reading articles to get caught up on what’s happening in healthcare/aging/disability policy, what’s happening in Congress more broadly, and what’s happening with the Administration. From there, I start to email correspondence on all outstanding issues – including to Hill staff and clients. I try to squeeze in a coffee or lunch date with friends, Hill staff, or peers in the industry before spending the rest of the day emailing and doing client work. When Congress is in session, I can easily spend 2-3 nights a week at a political event, dinner, or fundraiser!
How do you build and maintain relationships with lawmakers and other stakeholders?
The best way to build relationships with lawmakers and other stakeholders is to build the relationship authentically before you need to make an ask. Be yourself, get to know the person you want to build a relationship with and understand that relationships of all kinds take time to build. So, put in the work little by little, keep showing up, and understand that the people you’re trying to build a relationship with are people first and foremost.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work, and how do you navigate them?
The biggest challenge in my work is Congress itself. The intense partisanship of the current political world makes legislating incredibly difficult. And, therefore, makes it very difficult to bring forward legislation that would traditionally be bipartisan in nature. Navigating this takes creativity, commitment to educating lawmakers and their staff over a longer period of time than you’d typically prefer, and a willingness to compromise to achieve your goals.
Can you describe a particularly successful campaign or project you’ve worked on? What factors contributed to its success?
Years ago, when I was an in-house lobbyist, I was responsible for navigating a complex regulatory issue that presented itself in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. I created and led a coalition of organizations to petition Congress and the Administration for regulatory relief. After months of education and advocacy, the Administration acted in our favor! This was a huge win for my company, our industry, and millions of Americans across the nation. In my view, what contributed the most to the success of this project was the number of organizations actively engaged in the effort. Several of the organizations were competitors while others were typically foes. Having a robust coalition of varying interests helped to underscore the urgency of the issue and, in the end, was one of the reasons the Administration acted as swiftly as they did to solve the issue.
How do you handle ethical considerations in lobbying, especially when advocating for controversial issues?
Ethics in lobbying are crucial to the continued existence of our profession. As a lobbyist, it is my duty to be ethical, truthful, and trustworthy. I am always truthful clients, lawmakers, staffers, and industry colleagues no matter the issue or topic. Not only can being unethical cause legal trouble, but it will also absolutely ruin your reputation in Washington if you are untruthful, lacking integrity, or willing to skirt the rules to “win”. And, in Washington, your reputation is your currency.
What changes have you seen in the lobbying industry over the course of your career, and how have you adapted to them?
Over the course of my career, I’ve seen a lot of shifts in the industry. Most recently, I’ve seen a shift in the types of lobbyists clients want to have on their team with the majority of small/mid-sized organizations seeking smaller boutique firms for a more personalized touch. These clients are often looking for a trusted advisor who can integrate seamlessly into their team. These organizations are looking for a thought partner and an executer – someone who is intimately familiar with their issue and cares just as much as they do.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in lobbying?
I’d advise someone just starting out or interested in joining the industry to be clear eyed about your unique value as a lobbyist – whether you are working for a multi-client firm or serving as an in-house lobbyist for an organization. Build your network in a genuine and authentic way, join organizations that advance your understanding of your chosen area of interest, and remember that your reputation is your currency!
More about Ryann Hill
Ryann Hill, MPH is a seasoned government affairs professional with substantive experience navigating the complex intersection of policy, politics, and business. With a background in health policy, Ryann has successfully advocated for a diverse range of issues, from complex healthcare, aging, and disability regulations to economic development initiatives for underserved populations. Her strategic insights and deep understanding of legislative processes have made her a trusted advisor for both public and private sector clients. Ryann is known for her ability to build strong relationships with policymakers, craft compelling policy proposals, and manage high-stakes negotiations. Passionate about civic engagement and public policy, she is committed to shaping effective and equitable policies that drive positive change. Prior to founding Indigo Hill Strategies, Ryann held several executive-level government affairs and public policy positions in the private sector. She began her career in the House office of Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services alum. Ryann earned her Bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University and her Master’s in Public Health from The George Washington University. Originally from Chicago, she currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area with her family. You can learn at https://www.indigohillstrategies.com/
