More about the principal...
In a political era defined by deep divisions, Lisa Foehner Boudreau has spent 26 years navigating the turbulent waters of multi-state and federal government affairs, not by picking a side, but by building bridges. With a career that has taken her from the halls of Congress to the forefront of national advocacy, she has carved out a reputation as a strategist who gets things done. Now, she’s channeling that experience into her own government affairs firm, The Policy Stack, serving clients in Missouri, Kansas, and Washington D.C., with experience that extends to the 25 other states where she has actively lobbied.
Policy not Politics
"In today's hyper-partisan landscape, achieving policy goals requires more than just knowing the issues," Boudreau says, reflecting on her approach. "It demands a strategist who can find common ground. My focus has always been on the policy, not the party."
This philosophy has been the cornerstone of her success. Boudreau has a proven track record of working effectively with legislators and governors across the political spectrum. A prime example is her leadership on state civic education initiatives, where she collaborated successfully with prominent Republican governors like Mike DeWine of Ohio, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, and Spencer Cox of Utah.
"That ability to navigate complex political terrains and forge bipartisan alliances is critical," she notes. "It’s how you turn a vision into good policy in any political climate." It’s a skill she honed early in her career which began in Washington D.C. as a legislative staff for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) before she returned to Missouri to work as staff for the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen. She also worked for a few years as in-district staff for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), in St. Louis. "Working for two strong moderate women leaders early on in life really set the tone for how I see world," Boudreau adds.
Her career took a pivotal turn when she moved into the non-profit sector, applying her legislative acumen to mission-driven causes. As the National Director of State Policy and Strategic Messaging for the Parents as Teachers National Center, she spent nearly a decade leading national public affairs. "We worked with a team of state and federal lobbyists, and with the incredible support of founding board members like the late Senator Kit Bond (R-MO), we achieved significant coalition victories," Boudreau recalls. Those victories included multiple 5-year reauthorizations of federal health legislation, which increased funding from $500 million to $800 million annually, and securing $150 million for providers in the American Rescue Plan Act.
Most recently, Boudreau served as the chief strategist for the state portfolio at iCivics and CivxNow, the legacy organization of the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. As Director of State Policy, and over a period of 3 years, 26 states advanced 42 civic education measures.
Her commitment extends beyond her professional roles. Boudreau is the founder of the Missouri Civic Learning Coalition, an active member of the Kansas Civic Education Coalition, and has been recognized as a fellow in prestigious programs like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Culture of Health Leadership Institute and FOCUS Leadership St. Louis. Lisa also serves on the policy advisory committee for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
Lisa earned a Master of Public Administration in 2012, and graduated with honors from the University of Missouri, with a degree in (political) Communication Theory & Rhetoric in 2002.
Away from the political arena, Lisa enjoys life in Olathe, Kansas, with her partner Rob, who works at the $5B joint venture of Turner & Yates Construction for the Panasonic Energy site in DeSoto, Kansas.