Meet the Focus Public Affairs Team
Our team has more than 30 years combined experience in the political arena. Through our work with clients across various industries, we have honed our ability to craft unique and sophisticated strategies while covering all of the basics of public affairs and advocacy. Rewrite to “We are focused on the goals and growth of our clients and you will not find anyone that will outwork our team.
Wendy Kelly
Wendy Kelly is a Partner at Focus Public Affairs. After earning her Masters in Political Management at The George Washington University, Wendy served as a state government affairs manager for Toyota in Washington, D.C., from 1999 to 2006. Wendy managed contract lobbyists in key states while covering a 25-state region, and developed coalitions in collaboration with the federal affairs team. She just wrapped up her nineteenth legislative session in North Carolina representing clients from a wide range of issue areas, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
Wendy led the successful merger of My Kid’s Club in Johnston County with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County. She now serves as an executive committee member of the Wake parent organization.
EDUCATION
- Master of Arts, The George Washington University, The Graduate School of Political Management, Washington, DC
- Bachelor of Arts, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Member, NC Professional Lobbyist Association
- Member, Washington Area State Relations Group
- Board President, My Kid’s Club
Cady Thomas is a Partner with Focus Public Affairs who is experienced in every aspect of government and regulatory advocacy.
From 2008-2018 Cady ran the government affairs department of the largest trade association in NC. Ultimately promoted to Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, she was responsible for legislative and regulatory lobbying, political fundraising and disbursement, independent expenditure engagement, grassroots development, local government affairs assistance, and all the responsibilities of running a satellite office.. She organized multimillion dollar political and issues campaigns, advanced intensive legislative goals, and facilitated one of the state’s largest political action committees. Cady continues to engage with the client and their national association and has built an extensive network around the country.
Prior to lobbying , Cady practiced corporate law in Raleigh and worked on Capitol Hill.
EDUCATION
- Jurist Doctorate, Washington College of Law, American University, Washington, DC
- Masters of Business Administration, Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington, DC
- Bachelor of Arts and Business Management Certificate, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Attorney Licensed in NC & U.S. Federal District Court, Eastern District of NC
- Member, North Carolina Professional Lobbyist Association
- Member, Tar Heel Circle of the North Carolina Society of DC
- Member, NC Methodist Home for Children Board