FOUNDER & CEO

Having worked in varying capacities in issue advocacy, political campaigns, public policy, and the private sector, Laurie appreciates the varied perspectives and experience developed over her 18+ year career. Her unique perspectives ensure consideration of political realities for decision-makers in their districts, on the campaign trail, and inside the legislative building, as well as the realities for stakeholders working to make public policy change in short- and long-term timeframes increasingly with dynamic coalitions and careful alignment needed.

The Advocacy Shop is a continuation of the government and public affairs practice Laurie started in 2014. In 2016, she merged with Walk West, a digital marketing and strategic communications agency. As a partner and Vice President of Strategic Communications, she led the public relations, video production, government and public affairs practices. In that role, Laurie built and scaled a multi-million dollar practice that combined sophisticated marketing, communications, and digital capabilities to her already robust traditional advocacy, grasstops, and campaigns tactics. During that time, Walk West was named an Inc. 5,000 Fastest Growing Company three years in a row. In 2020, Laurie re-launched The Advocacy Shop to provide boutique consulting and campaign capabilities to clients with issue and mission-led advocacy goals. Laurie previously served for six years as Vice President of The Stewart Group, Inc., a political consulting, public affairs, and corporate public relations firm in Raleigh.

She is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in English: Language, Writing, and Rhetoric and is a fellow of the E.A. Morris Fellowship for Emerging Leaders, the Institute of Political Leadership, and is a member of the State Government Affairs Council.

Laurie Onorio