How a Hill Staffer Navigated the Shift to Energy Lobbyist
Q&A with Lot Sixteen’s EVP and General Counsel Kellie Donnelly
In this short Q&A, Kellie Donnelly, Lot Sixteen EVP and General Counsel and a well-known name in the energy sector in Washington, D.C., talks career building in the nation’s capital, advice she’s taken and given over the years, and some of the harder parts of transitioning from the Hill into a lobbyist role.
Did you always have an interest in energy? How did you find yourself in that sector?
I was always drawn to environmental issues. But I had originally thought I would be a communications lawyer and put my English degree to work.
While I didn’t love the technical communications work, I loved being on the Hill. During my final year in law school, I interned with the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) for then ranking member Sen. John Chafee (R-RI). I really enjoyed the environmental policy work and just being in the Senate. After graduating law school I was able to come back to Capitol Hill, this time as a full-time staffer for Sen. Chafee, which quickly turned into a position with EPW when he became committee Chairman.
During my time at EPW, our team worked on issues and legislation critical to protecting our environment and natural resources, including the Endangered Species Act, Superfund, the Clean Water Act, and the Coastal Barriers Resources Act. It was a fantastic foundational experience for a young lawyer.
After EPW I did a stint at the Department of the Interior and was still firmly on the environment law track. I didn’t become an energy lawyer until I joined a law firm as an energy/environmental associate. The California energy crisis hit in the early 2000s. Our firm had so much work that I was shifted to the energy side and tasked with handling client work with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) – a new agency for me. I had to look up the acronym! I had somehow gone from environmental policy work to doing energy litigation, complete with depositions and briefs, at FERC and state utility commissions.
You have nearly 20 years of experience in the Senate, what was something that surprised you while working there?
As soon as I paid off my college and law school loans, I left the firm and joined the staff for the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR). This was a more senior position than I had at EPW and I was surprised (and dismayed!) at how much public speaking was involved. Committee staffers would get invited to participate in a slew of panel presentations or to give speeches. Public speaking was a big fear, so at the suggestion of friends – a FERC Commissioner and a Senate press secretary – I did Toastmasters for about a year. The program, which was conveniently located in the Senate building, made a huge difference. I may not ever love public speaking, but I can now do it more confidently.
What is one the biggest lessons you’ve learned that you’ve applied throughout your career?
Be nice to everyone. Be nice to the interns. Be nice to the janitor. Be nice to the staff assistants. Of course that’s always a good rule of thumb, but in this transactional city, you never know where people will end up. Today’s intern is tomorrow's Chief of Staff! I promise you kindness goes a long way.
What was one of your favorite parts about working in the Senate?
Traveling! We were able to travel to places I’ve never dreamt of visiting. It’s hard to choose, but I think the coolest place I visited was İstanbul. We did the silk road trip that started in China, wound through Kyrgyzstan, and ended in Turkey.
Other favorites include Norway, Finland, Japan, Micronesia, and Taiwan. Taiwan was a great trip. It was where I met Jennifer Storipan, Lot Sixteen SVP. At the time, Jennifer was the Legislative Director for Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH). We bonded as we joked we were the only “adults” on the trip which included a number of young House staffers. Some years later, she reached out to me about an open position at Lot Sixteen, and we soon reconnected as co-workers. See, be nice to everyone!
Jennifer Storipan [left] and Kellie [right] on the floor of the Taiwanese legislature
Kellie with Congressional staffers on an Embassy-sponsored trip to Norway
As an EVP and General Counsel, is there any advice you would give to young professionals starting their career?
Internships are great as they offer valuable experience and contacts. Connections go a long way in D.C. They also give you an opportunity to see if you like the work in the career you’re seeking. Plus it helps that they’re paid now. When I interned on the Hill the position was unpaid, but I was able to receive class credits, which is also a great option for students.
When you’re not lobbying or working, what is something that recharges you?
You might have guessed it, but traveling. With the pandemic, we had to pause as the world reset, but now I’m starting to travel again. My daughter is in sixth grade and the two of us just went to Paris. It was her first trip to Europe, so it was exciting for us both.
I also love going to the beach. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and grew up going to a beautiful, protected beach. I didn’t realize how special it was to have such close access to a beach until I moved away.
Kellie and her daughter touring the streets of Paris on a vintage motorcycle
Anything else to add?
The transition from a behind-the-scenes staffer to a public-facing lobbyist is not a small change. These are different skill sets. Personally, I don’t like talking about myself, but as a lobbyist that is part of the job. I have to pitch myself and convince people that I can go to bat for them and their causes better than anyone else. Time has helped me become more comfortable in the new role, but it’s still weird. I now self identify as a lobbyist, but I’ll always be a Hill staffer at heart.
