# Invariant

> Invariant is a Washington-based bipartisan business advisory firm that combines government relations, public affairs, strategic communications, crisis counsel, and business strategy. Founded by Heather Podesta in 2007 as Heather Podesta + Partners, it broadened beyond its original partisan and practice boundaries, rebranded in 2017, and reported $42.3 million in federal lobbying receipts for 2024 - roughly six times its 2014 total. Its customers range from early-stage companies and nonprofits to trade associations and global brands, with public client lists including Apple, FedEx, McDonald’s, Salesforce, SpaceX, Palantir, and Toyota.

- **Founded:** 2007
- **Headquarters:** Washington, United States
- **Founders:** Heather Podesta (Founder and CEO)
- **Team size:** Approximately 170 in the supplied company record; LinkedIn displayed 184 associated profiles in 2026.
- **Products:** Government Relations and Policy Advocacy, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications, Crisis, Risk and Litigation Communications, Business Advisory, Coalition and Trade Association Management
- **Notable:** Reported $42.3 million in federal lobbying receipts in 2024, up from roughly $7 million in 2014 - the largest percentage increase among larger firms in Bloomberg Government’s decade analysis., Ranked among the leading U.S. federal lobbying firms by disclosed 2024 receipts., Named to the Inc. 5000 in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

## Products & services

- **Government Relations and Policy Advocacy** — Legislative and regulatory strategy, bipartisan advocacy, issue analysis, appropriations, oversight, investigations, and engagement with federal, state, and local decision-makers.
- **Public Affairs and Strategic Communications** — Reputation management, media strategy, executive positioning, stakeholder engagement, grassroots advocacy, and coalition building.
- **Crisis, Risk and Litigation Communications** — Scenario preparation and communications counsel for litigation, investigations, oversight, reputational threats, and fast-moving public events.
- **Business Advisory** — Strategic partnerships, government-sales growth, market and political risk assessment, and advice that connects public policy with commercial goals.
- **Coalition and Trade Association Management** — Coalition design, stakeholder coordination, association management, and campaigns that align organizations around shared policy goals.
- **Talent Development and Media Training** — Preparation for executives and subject experts who must communicate with press, policymakers, and other high-stakes audiences.

## Achievements

- Reported $42.3 million in federal lobbying receipts in 2024, up from roughly $7 million in 2014 - the largest percentage increase among larger firms in Bloomberg Government’s decade analysis.
- Ranked among the leading U.S. federal lobbying firms by disclosed 2024 receipts.
- Named to the Inc. 5000 in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
- Built a client roster spanning early-stage startups, major trade associations, nonprofits, and global corporations.
- Ken Barbic and Lindley Kratovil Sherer were named to The Hill’s 2025 Top Lobbyists list.
- Three Invariant leaders appeared on Washingtonian’s 2025 list of Washington’s 500 most influential people.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Invariant appointed former CIA and House Armed Services Committee official Jaime Cheshire to oversee its national security government relations practice.
- **2026-05** — Senior director Halie Craig published a case study on the bipartisan coalition, grassroots work, and timing behind the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
- **2026-03** — Heather Podesta discussed the role of policy in innovation in a CNBC interview carried by Invariant.
- **2025-12** — Ken Barbic and Lindley Kratovil Sherer were recognized in The Hill’s Top Lobbyists 2025.
- **2025-05** — Washingtonian included three Invariant leaders in its 2025 list of the region’s 500 most influential people.
- **2025-04** — Bloomberg Government ranked Invariant first for percentage growth in disclosed lobbying receipts from 2014 to 2024.

## Links

- Website: https://www.weareinvariant.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/invariant-gr/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/invariant

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/invariant
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-19