CHARTING A CLEAR COURSE IN WASHINGTON

CHARTING A CLEAR COURSE IN WASHINGTON

Empowering ocean and coastal change-makers to shape impactful federal policy

We know the science, the policy, & the people. Let’s get to work.

ESP Advisors is a consulting firm that transforms clients’ federal policy advocacy from reactive to proactive, from uncertain to unstoppable.

WHY HIRE ESP

our services

Full Engagement: Comprehensive government relations management, including legislative advocacy, funding strategy, and reputation-building

Limited Engagement: Advisory support for organizations with smaller goals, providing strategic counsel and relationship-building assistance

Strategy Support: Non-lobbying guidance focused on policy insights, strategy sessions, and updates on federal developments

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ABOUT US

At ESP Advisors, we don’t just advise—we get results. Our team combines deep policy expertise, strong bipartisan relationships, and a strategic mindset that ensures our clients don’t just participate in the process—they shape it.

Our proven track record includes:

Rebuilding and Strengthening Advocacy Efforts

When we took over an advocacy campaign, the effort was on the verge of collapse. Their bill was poorly positioned, had the wrong champions, and key congressional offices were refusing to take meetings. Within six months, ESP Advisors rewrote the legislative strategy, rebuilt relationships with Congress and the industry, and secured bipartisan support for a new consensus bill.

Staying Off the Chopping Block

Amid a turbulent period when many similar programs were being defunded or dismantled, ESP Advisors’ long-term strategy paid off. We had spent years cultivating relationships with key decision-makers and consistently communicating the value of our clients’ work to a bipartisan audience. So when a proposal to cut our client’s priority programs reached top officials in the administration, it was swiftly rejected—they understood the impact of the programs and recognized them as an ESP priority, keeping them off the chopping block.

Gaining Traction Across the Aisle

Realizing they had no Republican congressional champions, a client came to ESP Advisors for help. Leveraging our trusted relationships, we quickly identified and built connections with new Republican allies. Within the first few months of the year, those champions introduced the client’s bill, led a successful effort to boost their funding, and sent a letter to the White House urging administration support.

Securing Record Funding Increases

ESP Advisors spotted an opportunity in a massive legislative package that was coming together in Congress. Our team proactively analyzed the client’s needs, crafted a funding request, and strategically positioned our client in the congressional debate over what to include in the package. The result? Five times more funding than they had ever received before.

Elevating Our Clients as Thought Leaders

Before working with ESP Advisors, a client struggled to get noticed in Washington due to a lack of focus, messaging, and connections. Within months, we had positioned them as a trusted resource on Capitol Hill, securing testimony in a hearing, speaking roles at congressional briefings, input on major legislation, and direct engagement with the White House. They are now the go-to voice in DC for their industry.

RECENT NEWS AND ANALYSIS

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Rachael Dewitt- ESP Team Introduction (2)

Introducing our new Senior Policy Manager: Q&A with Rachael DeWitt

Rachael DeWitt’s expertise spans freshwater and ocean conservation and policy. She most recently worked on Ocean Conservancy’s government relations team,

4 min read
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Mike Henry- ESP Team Introduction

Introducing our New Senior Policy Advisor: Q&A with Mike Henry

Mike is a Washington, D.C.–based science and technology policy leader and government relations professional who has focused his career on

4 min read
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2025 Wrap Up Blog Post

Climbing The Mountain Together: Reflections On 2025 And Looking Ahead To 2026

A letter from Emily This year felt like sprinting up a mountain in the middle of a landslide. Boulders come

5 min read
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BROWSE NEWS & ANALYSIS

Marianne Brisson

Marianne helps mission-driven organizations scale their impact through streamlined operations, project leadership, and strategic communications. She leads ESP’s day-to-day operations and ensures firm-wide success. Marianne previously served as Policy and Operations Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

FAVORITES

Hot latte with oatmilk

Nudibranch

Based in Oregon

Mike Henry

Mike Henry is a Washington, D.C.-based science and technology policy leader focused on weather, water, and ocean advocacy. He has shaped federal science policy through roles at UCAR, NASA, and the American Institute of Physics, and began his career on the Senate staff of Sen. Ben Cardin.

FAVORITES

Green Tea

Blue Crab

Based in DC

Pamela Day Tapscott

Pamela Day has over 25 years of experience on Capitol Hill. As Chief of Staff for the late Congressman Don Young (R-AK), father of many initiatives and laws that govern ocean resources today, Pamela managed the annual appropriations process and oversaw 16 original bills that were signed into law.

FAVORITES

Cappuccino

Yeti crab

Based in DC

Rachael DeWitt

Rachael DeWitt’s expertise spans from freshwater to ocean conservation and policy. She most recently worked for Ocean Conservancy on its government relations team, covering issues including Arctic conservation, fisheries, climate, ocean energy, deep-sea mining, and shipping. On Capitol Hill, Rachael worked for Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) on ocean policy issues. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Skaneateles Lake Association in upstate New York.

FAVORITES

Flat white

Juvenile boxfish

Skaneateles, NY

Angelo San Pablo

Angelo is an ocean policy professional with experience in federal agency engagement, congressional advocacy, and aquaculture. He most recently supported senior leadership and congressional affairs at NOAA Fisheries. Angelo has worked across public and private entities in the seafood space and has shared his experiences when advocating for ocean policy priorities in the climate space.

FAVORITES

Mocha Latte with Oat Milk

Blue Whale

Washington, DC

Caroline Roche

Caroline brings sharp policy instincts and a passion for coastal resilience to ESP Advisors. At the White House Council on Environmental Quality, she supported both the freshwater and ocean policy teams. Most recently, she worked on communications and government affairs for Restore America’s Estuaries, deepening her expertise in habitat protection and federal engagement. Caroline holds a dual degree in Political Science and Fine Art from George Washington University.

FAVORITES

Unsweetened Iced Green Tea

Beluga Whale

Based in DC

Austen Stovall

Austen Stovall’s background is in coral reef ecology, nature-based solutions, and coastal management. She most recently worked for Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) on his oceans and fisheries portfolio. Austen holds a master’s degree in coastal science and policy from UC Santa Cruz.

FAVORITES

Iced oat milk latte with coconut syrup

Corals

Based in DC

Kat Montgomery

Kat draws upon her ocean policy expertise and years of experience managing projects, programs, and teams to catalyze success for ESP Advisors and our clients. Most recently, Kat served as staff for Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), former Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

FAVORITES

Cappuccino with sugar

Seahorse

Based in Virginia

Emily Patrolia

Emily Patrolia founded ESP Advisors to address the need for sophisticated government and public affairs services in the community she holds dear. Emily uses her advocacy and congressional experience and deep understanding of environmental science to lead the firm in all its endeavors.

FAVORITES

Cappuccino

Yeti crab

Based in DC