My Companies
Summit Public Affairs
Navigating the Intersection of Business and Politics
Successfully achieving client objectives at all levels of government for over 30 years - 5 U.S. Presidents, World Leaders, and Federal, State & Local Policymakers.
Trusted by
Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and municipal governments navigating the intersection of business and government.
How We Work
Real leadership in rooms where decisions are made
Trusted Advisors
We connect the dots from the boardroom to the White House and Congress, bridging business strategy and political reality at every level of government.
Relationships That Deliver
Regardless of who is in office, we have the relationships that win. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Our network is bipartisan because your business can't afford otherwise.
Integrity and Discretion
Political work is sensitive work. We operate with the highest ethical standards and protect client confidentiality at all times.
Our reputation is built on trust, and we protect yours.
Results-Driven
We measure success by outcomes, not activity. Whether it's securing legislative wins, managing political risk, or building stakeholder support, we deliver results that matter.
OUR SERVICES
Decades of legislative, regulatory, political, and communications experience, in the rooms where national and global decisions are made.
Global Advocacy Strategy & Lobbying
We build and execute government affairs strategies that advance your objectives across federal, state, local, and international policy environments.
From legislative wins to regulatory outcomes, we drive results.
Political Risk Management
We help you identify, assess, and get ahead of political and regulatory risks before they become crises.
Proactive strategy. Clear guidance. No surprises.
Legislative & Regulatory Strategy
We translate complex policy environments into clear, actionable business strategy, and position your organization to influence the rules being written, not just respond to them.
Stakeholder Management
We map, prioritize, and build the relationships that move your agenda forward, with policymakers, regulators, media, coalition partners, and decision-makers at every level.
Strategic Communications & Crisis Management
We craft the messaging and communication strategies that protect your reputation, influence key audiences, and ensure your story lands clearly, in a crisis and in the boardroom.
Association & Board Advisory
We advise association leaders and boards on advocacy strategy, governance, and organizational positioning, ensuring your policy voice carries weight where it counts.
Strategic Communications
We craft the messaging and engagement strategies that move stakeholders, regulators, and decision-makers. From executive communications to public affairs campaigns, we help you tell your story with clarity and impact.
Stakeholder Management
We help you systematically identify, prioritize, and engage the key influencers who impact your organization's success, both internally and externally.
30 Years in the Rooms Where Decisions Are Made
Five U.S. Presidential Administrations. Fortune 150 & 500 C-Suites. World Leaders.
Cicely Simpson founded Summit Public Affairs after 30 years operating inside the systems her clients need to navigate.
She served as EVP of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, the chief advocate for an $1.5 trillion industry, working directly across five Presidential administrations.
Before that, she spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Director, helping write laws signed by four consecutive Presidents.
She knows how government works because she worked inside it.
She knows how business operates because she led it at the executive level. That combination is rare, and it's what Summit brings to every client engagement.
Results We've Delivered
Case Study #1
Tariff Exemption Win for the Global Coffee Industry
Challenge:
When reciprocal and national security tariffs were imposed, roasted coffee and unroasted coffee beans were included, despite coffee not being grown in the United States.
Three risks were immediate: higher consumer prices, economic pressure on U.S. roasters and distribution, and threats to American jobs and international trade relationships.
Strategy & Solution:
We positioned coffee as an essential, non-U.S.-produced commodity that should be exempt, just like other non-domestic agricultural products.
We built a coalition with Ambassadors and leaders from key coffee-producing nations, organized international roasting companies, and presented a clear business and policy case to key Administration officials — connecting consumer impact, job protection, and trade diplomacy into one unified narrative.
Results:
✔ Reciprocal tariffs removed
✔ National security tariffs removed
U.S. consumers protected from price increases. American roasting and distribution jobs preserved. International trade relationships strengthened.
Case Study #2
Steadying a Global Fitness Brand Through COVID-19
Challenge:
A leading global fitness company faced one of the most complex operating environments in modern business history, constantly changing global, federal, state, and local regulations, franchise financial stress, and high consumer concern around health and safety.
Strategy & Solution:
We advised the CEO, C-Suite, operations leaders, and franchisees on how and when to safely operate throughout every phase of the pandemic.
We positioned the fitness industry as an essential business, generating 500,000+ letters to Congress and securing support from the President, White House officials, and senior Administration leaders.
We guided franchisees through PPP loans and financial relief programs to protect business continuity.
Results:
✔ Successfully navigated one of the most complex regulatory environments in modern business
✔ 500,000+ letters to Congress generated
✔ Presidential and White House support secured
✔ A new long-term advocacy strategy built for the company, elevating public policy as a core business asset
Case Study #3
Getting an Innovative Wildfire Solution Closer to U.S. Deployment
Challenge:
A Veteran Service-Disabled Business sought U.S. government approval for The Guardian, a proven wildfire-fighting technology successfully deployed internationally.
Approval required federal aviation, defense, environmental, and Congressional alignment.
Strategy & Solution:
We connected The Guardian to real U.S. need, demonstrating how catastrophic fires, including the Paradise, California wildfire, could have been contained sooner.
We built Congressional champions, engaged federal aviation and military officials, partnered with foreign
governments currently using the system, and drafted federal appropriations language authorizing a U.S. pilot program.
Results:
✔ Federal appropriations language secured, authorizing a national pilot test
✔ Congressional champions established
✔ Credibility built with federal agencies, state leaders, and aviation and defense authorities
A Veteran Service-Disabled Business gained federal momentum and a viable U.S. deployment pathway.
WHAT THEY SAY
"Cicely stands out as one of the sharpest strategic thinkers I've encountered in Washington. Not only does she understand the nuances that go into political decision-making, she can clearly explain this interplay to audiences at all levels of sophistication. Whether guiding a Washington neophyte through their first day on Capitol Hill or coaching a C-suite executive in advance of a grilling by Congress, Cicely's confidence, poise and expertise will yield a positive experience, and results. Benefiting from working or a moderate Member on Capitol Hill and with years of private sector experience, Cicely has no hidden political agenda so audiences can have faith in her candor. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to have her meet with or present to my clients."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Michael M.
I want to express our deep appreciation for the time you invested with our teams last week. Your presence helped us reach some truly revelatory moments. Our discussion the next day, inspired by your insights, led to some significant breakthrough moments. We are all deeply committed to this new energy and eagerly anticipate how it will positively transform our work and team dynamics.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Theresa Eyet, VP. AHCA
I've watched Cicely instill confidence in the leaders she coaches. She built an incredible community to help people on their job search and does it all with a level head and grace. She could have 100 things going on but you'd never know it as she makes you feel like you are the only person in the room.
I'd recommend Cicely to anyone looking for a coach, a great podcast, a thoughtful and excellent book or a speaker to help your team be their best."
Cicely's insights into servant leadership, building trust and forging open and honest communication resonate with aspiring professionals of every age -- and show that things can be done right even in the highest levels of Washington politics and the board rooms of some of America's most successful corporations.
Cicely will leave you longing for more and will empower individuals to reinvest in making things better right where they are!"
Copyright © 2026 Cicely Simpson. All Rights Reserved