2026 2.0 (Almost) In Effect

We, my friends, are approaching the halfway point of 2026! June signals the wind-down of the first half of the year, and as is often the case with many of us, we start asking ourselves around this time, “Wow, where has the year gone?!” June is a great time to begin assessing the first half of your year – both personally and professionally – and to see where you can begin making some resets and second-half-of-the-year plans!

The arrival of June also means that the conference circuit is in full swing, Pride Month has begun, and the longest day of the year in the North Hemisphere – The Summer Solstice – will occur this year on Sunday, June 21! Outdoor concerts, fitness routines, and other activities are also underway, and there is nothing better than spending a nice sunny day outdoors (minus the extreme heat and humidity) enjoying the vibes of your city — people-watching, drinking a big iced coffee or tea and getting immersed in a good book or podcast! Speaking of podcasts, I am looking for some great recommendations to add to my current list, so feel free to reach out and share your best ones!

My plans are now underway as I begin looking forward to the second half of 2026

• Attending some conferences and other professional development opportunities
• Connecting more in person with clients and friends
• Tackling some books and your recommended podcasts
• Enjoying more oat milk ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and chai tea

As you can see, I am planning some good stuff for the remainder of 2026. Tell me, what is on your horizon for the rest of the year?”

During the month of May here in the US, the Memorial Day holiday recognizes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our military, as well as being noted as the unofficial kick-off to Summer!
As I am usually out and about on Memorial Day here in Washington, DC, I always tend to see lots of people buzzing around the city! Both tourists and locals alike gather to not only take in the sights and sounds, eat and shop, but to also reflect and remember those family and friends who they have lost over the years, and who they choose to honor maybe by uttering a soft whisper of their name, or a toast to them during a meal. The holiday itself is observed in many different ways by so many different people, yet it serves as a reminder to all of us to not take for granted an opportunity to come together with family and friends, to share stories and connections that make us both laugh and cry, and to honor those whom we may have never met, but whose sacrifices have helped to make us safer… and freer.
What are your plans for this upcoming Memorial Day holiday? Whether you’ll be out and about like myself or quietly observing at home, I wish you a very happy and safe Memorial Day holiday weekend!

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I am so thrilled to once again be able to attend Women in Government Relations (WGR) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit! WGR’s DEI Summit is taking place virtually on April 29 and 30, and will include an in-person, closing networking reception on the evening of April 30 in Washington, DC.

The theme for this year’s WGR DEI Summit is “Advancing Belonging & Inclusion in Government Relations and Policy”, and it is an honor for me to serve on the Board of Directors for an organization that continues to recognize the importance and value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms, and is still committed to making sure that DEI is woven into every aspect of the organization’s mission and vision!

This year’s WGR DEI Summit will include two days of keynote, plenary, and breakout sessions designed to help those working in or who may have interest in DEI successfully navigate and execute in today’s current anti-DEI environment. At the conclusion of these impactful two days, WGR DEI Summit attendees will have gained real-time insights, tools, and tips they can utilize immediately as they continue
on their DEI journey!

Registration is open and we would love to have you join us! For more information on WGR and the upcoming DEI Summit, please click on this link: www.wgr.org/page/DEI_Virtual_Summit

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Here we are — the month of March and “spring forward” — as in soon, many of us will be turning our clocks ahead as we enter into daylight savings time! Daylight will be longer, the weather will be getting warmer, and many of our calendars will start to fill up with conferences, vacation travel and other work/life events that we’re looking forward to over the next several months.

I also started thinking about “spring forward” as in what new challenges or opportunities am I going to pursue to either help me continue to grow and/or make me feel renewed? (Are you sensing a Spring theme here?)

What challenges or opportunities are you thinking about “springing forward” into this year? I encourage you to think outside of the box and outside of your comfort zone! Take that class you’ve been hesitant about tackling. Schedule that coffee or lunch with a new connection you’ve made! The possibilities are numerous, and while you’re planning, give yourself a “way to go” for getting all of the things on your radar!

Feel free to reach out and let me know what’s coming up on your “spring forward” list!

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One of the things I started upon the entry into 2026 is to begin a gratitude journal where each night, I write down the things that I am grateful for that occurred that day – no matter how big or small they may seem! So, enter my delight and curiosity when I discovered that February, among other things, recognizes “International Boost Self-Esteem Month” (of which I would add keeping a gratitude journal as a way to totally boost self-esteem)!

“International Boost Self-Esteem Month” recognizes and celebrates the value of self-esteem – and let’s face it – we are oftentimes our own worst critics and the hardest on ourselves! Betterhelp.com acknowledges: “This movement aims to show that self-esteem development is possible and that various tools and resources are available to help individuals along the way.” Some of the resources listed in the online article that I particularly love are the ones related to self-care practices for self-esteem, e.g.:

• Daily Gratitude Journaling
• Mindfulness and Meditation
• Setting Achievable Goals

Eating healthy and exercising, pursuing a hobby or new skill, and personal hygiene, and grooming all round out the list of Betterhelp.com’s self-care practices that can help boost your self-esteem! What are some of your ways? I would love to learn about what keeps you going and what you do when that negative voice creeps up and tries to steal your joy. Please reach out and let me know your own “tips and tricks.” Wishing you a fantastic month of February!

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It’s here, 2026 – Happy New Year! Many of us in January focus on resolutions and/or goals that we would like to achieve in the new year, and I, for one, have my own list of items that I plan to work on in the coming months!

I can say that one of the items on my list is somewhat a continuation from late last year, when I focused on making sure that I reached out to people more, just to check in with them and see how they’re doing. I want to continue making connecting and re-connecting with people a priority in 2026, and as many of you know, I am always up for meeting people in person for coffee or lunch!

Another goal that I have for 2026 is to find opportunities to engage with a few new groups. There are many organizations around doing amazing work, and I am looking to expand my knowledge and getting plugged in with a few of them — I will keep you posted on my progress.

Speaking of being plugged in – I am looking forward to seeing our amazing State and Federal Communications’ clients out and about at the various conferences and other events that we all support, in addition to seeking out new opportunities to get more face-time with our supporters and friends!

I am looking forward to 2026! There will be a lot going on this year, but I am ready to step it up a bit and rise to the challenges – let me know how you are doing with your resolutions and goals for this year, and Happy New Year!

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December is upon us now and the holiday season is in full swing! I am sure that many will agree with me that 2025 has been exceptionally challenging – to say the least… It has been a lot of job chaos, confusion and loss; mental health challenges; deaths – all of these things (and so much more) have tested our resolve and our ability to keep our heads above water. The holidays, in general, can already be troublesome for so many, and then add in the challenges of this year in particular, and some people can find themselves even more scared, frustrated, overwhelmed and feeling helpless.

I mention all of this because I have made a vow to myself to make sure that I reach out to my network even more so this holiday season just to connect, to check in and to offer some kind words. You never know what someone is going through, and I am hopeful that my outreach can make even just a small bit of difference in their day! There are a number of folks on my outreach radar for this month, and I am looking forward to also scheduling some lunches and coffee catchups, in addition to attending the multitude of Holiday receptions that are on my radar — because you know I love a good outing!

I wish you a fantastic and safe holiday season, and I am looking forward to catching up with many of you during this month!

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It’s November! The 11th month of the year – the fall sounds, smells, tastes, and activities are in full swing, and I am continuing to take full advantage of great opportunities that come my way!

One of the great opportunities that I am referring to is this year’s Public Affairs Council (PAC) STRIDE Social Impact Summit (STRIDE Summit) – which is always a fav! This year’s STRIDE Summit will take place on Thursday, November 13th and will be held virtually, though I have no doubt that the content and speakers will be as rich as the in-person STRIDE Summits have been in the past! If you’re not familiar with the PAC STRIDE Summit, the program focuses primarily on issues related to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI); Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Civic Engagement; Corporate Philanthropy and Community/Stakeholder Engagement. If I’m recalling correctly (hey, don’t judge me!), this will be my 3rd PAC STRIDE Summit, and I’m so looking forward to diving in virtually, and not only to see my friends who work in these content spaces, but also the opportunity to soak up all of the timely and relevant information to come!

Will you be attending the PAC STRIDE Summit with me this year? I look forward to seeing you on November 13th! For more information and to register, please click the link – Public Affairs Council (PAC) STRIDE Social Impact Summit (STRIDE Summit)

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October 22nd observes, among other things, Unity Day. This day was started in October 2011 by the Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center and happens to be the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month (also observed in October). Unity Day was originally founded to show support for students who have been bullied and for bullying prevention. It is a day to come together and “send a visible message of building community through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.” You can imagine that when I found out about Unity Day, I for one was thrilled that such a day existed, especially given the strange and un-empathetic times in which we are currently living!

Since its inception, Unity Day has been observed here in the United States and around the world. Those observing are asked to wear and share the color orange, chosen for its vibrancy and considered “a conversation starter.” Although initially founded to show support for students, adults can very well take lessons from Unity Day’s campaign – a great way to foster inclusion, togetherness, and compassion! Interested in knowing how you can get involved and observe Unity Day? Here are some great resources below:

Why Unity Day?

How You Can Get Involved

Order Unity Day Items

Any chance for me to make the world a better place, I’m definitely all for it! – Let’s all recognize Unity Day on October 22nd and spread the word!

gamble

September is Self-Improvement Month – how about putting some professional development opportunities on your radar?!

I am excited to note that I have three conferences that I am attending in September: Women in Government Relations’ (WGR) Leadership & Advocacy Conference; The National Black Professional Lobbyist Association’s (NBPLA) Annual Meeting; and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference. Needless to say, I will be getting my fill of great learning opportunities during this month! I will admit that I am fortunate to have a CEO who supports professional development and is always presenting opportunities for us to take advantage! Every year, she even invites first-year employees to accompany her to the Public Affairs Council’s (PAC) Government Relations and Policy Conference, held each year here in Washington, DC (also in September).

I recognize, however, that many employees are not as fortunate as I am… Either their leadership does not really care about professional development, or departmental budgets are so tight that there is no room left for paying to attend conferences. In these instances, I would advise employees to find professional development opportunities for themselves that are of little to no cost, and to also take advantage of conferences that offer scholarship options to cover the cost of registration fees. In addition, for those organizations that can provide for their employees’ professional development, consider “paying it forward” by providing a little extra funding to the conference-hosting organization so that they may help cover the registration fees for those with financial need.

If you will be in Washington, DC this month and also moving along the conference circuit, let me know where you’ll be so we can connect – I wish you a very fulfilling Self-Improvement Month!

gamble

One of the many great things that has occurred over my 10+ year tenure here at State and Federal Communications is the great friendships that I have developed over this time!

I have clients who have evolved into friends, and I also have the many wonderful friendships that I have made by way of my involvement with organizations such as: Women in Government Relations (WGR); State Government Affairs Council (SGAC); Public Affairs Council (PAC); National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC); National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics (NILE); and the National Black Professional Lobbyists Association (NBPLA). Organizations such as these (and others like these that are also doing amazing work!) help to foster not only opportunities for professional development, but also for mentorship, collaboration, and connection to an amazing group of Government Affairs professionals who will sing your praises and “have your back”, but whom will also not be afraid to challenge you or to let you know when you need to make right on a situation!

This month, in honor of National Friendship Day, which took place this year on Sunday, August 3rd, I want to recognize all of my wonderful friends, and in particular, my fantastic Government Affairs buddies! For the breakfasts, lunches, and coffees that we schedule so we can finally catch up; For the laughs that we share and the pics that we snap at the local events; and for the amazing time well spent while we’re on the Conference circuit together. Thank you for letting me a part of your world because you all have made such a difference in mine!

gamble

Looking for something cool to do this month? How about participating in Global Forgiveness Day on July 7th? I can’t believe that I am just finding out now about this observance!
Global Forgiveness Day (formerly National Forgiveness Day) has an interesting timeline that led up to its founding. Noting that the concept of forgiveness had been (and still is) prevalent in many religions around the globe, its idea and principles began to peak the interest of scientists around 1962, who began to study forgiveness and its impact on human well-being. “What they found was that forgiveness was a process. Multiple researchers developed models of forgiveness … that would allow people to improve their ability to forgive. Later studies even attempted to understand the relationship between forgiveness and justice …” GLOBAL FORGIVENESS DAY – July 7, 2025 – National Today
An example of forgiveness came in 1962 when a Japanese fighter pilot asked for and was granted forgiveness by the townspeople of Brookings, Oregon, for bombing the west coast of the United States over Oregon during World War II. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the late Pope John Paul II publicly forgave the man who tried to assassinate him. “The Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors (CECA) founded National Forgiveness Day in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada … As this day gained prominence throughout the world, it was renamed Global Forgiveness Day.” GLOBAL FORGIVENESS DAY – July 7, 2025 – National Today
On July 7th, take some time to think about someone who may have wronged you in the past and make a conscious effort to forgive them! Don’t forget to also include yourself and offer yourself some forgiveness as well! For more information on Global Forgiveness Day, visit the website featured in this blog.

Gamble

We are now more than halfway through June, and the official start of summer is just a couple of days away! June is a special month in which we celebrate the men in our lives, not only with Father’s Day, but also as Men’s Health Month — what better time than this month to provide a little extra love and support to the men (and those who identify as men) in our lives!

Summer is a time of greater activity for many of us, whether it is mowing the lawn or getting more physically active with sports and enjoying the great outdoors. This is wonderful for the spirit and can be great for the body, but it can also produce additional strain, which means we need to be more mindful of our health needs. Now is a great time to start thinking about prioritizing our health and the health of those we love in our lives.

In observance of Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, let’s remind our dads (and all of the men in our circles) to make both their physical and mental health a priority! Remind them to get those important health screenings done, and to not be afraid to ask for, and to seek out, supportive mental health services.

Here’s to a very happy, safe, and fulfilling June!

Gamble

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The month of May is a highlight for so many reasons, but for this year, I am also thrilled to highlight Small Business Month (SBM)! SBM will be recognized all May, and I for one am looking forward to showing some extra support (and love) to these great workers!

In particular, I would like to recognize all of the government affairs, public affairs, communications, advocacy and lobbying firms that are representing the interests of their organizations and their clients each and every day! These folks continue to “show up” seeking (and ready) to make a difference — oftentimes, if I may so boldly add, with limited staff power, encouragement and resources…

Of course, I can’t recognize small businesses without giving a special “shout out” to this organization that I’ve been a part of for the past 10 years – State and Federal Communications! Led by President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz, State and Federal Communications continues to strive for excellence in everything that we do – and in particular, with the continuing commitment and level of service that we provide to our wonderful clients! I invite you to check out our website, then reach out and let us know how we can help you with your compliance needs!

Please take some time to visit your favorite small businesses during SBM and let them know just how tremendously loved and valued they are! For more information in general on SBM and some of the week’s activities, logon to https://www.uschamber.com/co/small-business-month

Gamble