Ilisa Halpern Paul has more than 20 years of experience in government relations, advocacy, and policymaking in non-profit, academic, federally funded, and government settings. Ilisa’s practice centers on advising hospital and health systems, medical technology companies, national patient advocacy organizations, health professional societies, and other health care related entities with respect to advancing their federal legislative, regulatory and programmatic policy agendas. Ilisa leads the firm’s Lobbying & Advocacy team and works with clients to establish and strengthen relationships with elected officials and federal agencies, develop and implement government relations and advocacy programs, craft effective grassroots campaigns, establish coalitions and third-party stakeholder partnerships and effect the outcomes of appropriations measures, authorizing legislation, and federal regulatory actions.

Ilisa is particularly skilled in creating innovative messaging, tactics, and materials in support of her clients’ policy goals; bringing traditional and nontraditional partners to the table in support of common goals; fostering relationships with members of Congress and their staff; and collaborating with administration and federal agency staff.  She also has a long and successful track record of establishing new public health programs and policies and securing funding in support of the implementation of such initiatives.

Prior to her more than 12 years as a government relations consultant, Ilisa served as director of federal government relations for the American Cancer Society and also worked as director of federal affairs with the American Public Health Association (APHA). While at APHA, she established the National Environmental Health Coalition and coordinated its advocacy activities, bringing together more than 25 national health organizations committed to protecting and promoting environmental health.

Ilisa earned a master's of public policy degree from Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute; she also served as senior project associate for the Georgetown University National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health. Ilisa’s federal public policy career commenced in 1993 on Capitol Hill, where she worked on the legislative staff of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Prior to moving to Washington, Ilisa conducted clinical research with Adeza Biomedical in Silicon Valley and the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program. She earned a BA in English at UCLA and grew up in northern California.

Ilisa is a nationally recognized expert in patient advocacy, grassroots and “grasstops” organizing, and oncology health policy. She is a frequently sought after presenter and guest lecturer and has given more than 125 speeches and keynote addresses to trade associations, professional societies, advocacy organizations, and at national conferences.  From 2004-2011 she served on the editorial advisory board of Hematology Oncology News & Issues and served from 2006-2011 on the Executive Board of Give an Hour, a national nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and families.  She currently chairs the Parent Steering Committee of the Washington DCJCC Preschool.