Meet the Focus Public Affairs Team
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
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
Isabel Villa-Garcia
Isabel Villa-Garcia is a partner at Focus Public Affairs, where she brings over a decade of experience in legislative strategy, coalition building, and public policy leadership. Her career began in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where she worked for three years, including as clerk for the full Appropriations Committee—an experience that laid the groundwork for her deep understanding of state budgeting and legislative processes. Isabel transitioned into government affairs including roles at two leading North Carolina trade associations, in education and real estate. While earning her Master’s in Political Management from The George Washington University, she worked in Washington, D.C. for an automotive trade association, where she managed contract lobbyists across key states, supported federal advocacy efforts, and built multistate coalitions spanning a 50-state region. From 2018 to 2025, Isabel worked in-house with the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association—one of the largest trade associations in the state and the voice of North Carolina’s second-largest private-sector employer. Rising to Vice President of Government Affairs, she led the association’s legislative and regulatory agenda, spearheaded political fundraising and disbursement, directed independent expenditure efforts, mobilized grassroots advocacy, political campaigns, and provided critical support to local government affairs initiatives. Isabel played a critical role in guiding the hospitality industry through the COVID-19 crisis. She successfully led the advocacy and lobbying campaign that secured the largest state appropriation to hospitality businesses in the country—North Carolina’s $500 million COVID-19 Business Recovery Grant program—delivering vital relief to thousands of restaurants and hotels across the state.
EDUCATION
- Master of Arts, The George Washington University, The Graduate School of Political Management, Washington DC
- Bachelor of Arts, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Board of Trustee, North Carolina Museum of Art
- Board member, NC Professional Lobbyist Association