Paddi LeShane
Chief Executive Officer
✉ pleshane@ctlobby.com
📞 (860) 614-3991
“Call Paddi – get Paddi in here fast!”
Time and again we hear this when clients need creative solutions to problems or issues that seemingly can’t be found. This is where Paddi shines brightest, when the missing pieces to the puzzle need to be found and that outside-the-box solution needs to be surfaced. Buoyed by her expertise in local/state government relations, message development, strategic media relations, reputation management, crisis communications and market entry strategies, Paddi thrives under pressure in delivering what clients need on a daily basis.
In addition to founding Sullivan & LeShane, Inc. (S&L) for government relations in 1983, Paddi teamed with Patrick Sullivan and Gene Sheehan to create S&L’s sister company, Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations, Inc. (SLPR), five years later. SLPR offered a new model of public affairs management in Connecticut, one that continues to thrive today on a culture of strategic thinking and problem solving to help keep clients in a positive public light. Prior to founding these two businesses, Paddi served as Director of External and Public Affairs for a highly respected statewide medical and vocational rehabilitation organization. A founding partner at SLPR, Paddi is a trusted and respected name among the state’s media, and one of the state’s most familiar presences in and around Connecticut as well as the State Capitol.
Prior to starting Sullivan & LeShane, Inc. (S&L) in 1983, Paddi served as Director of External and Public Affairs for a highly respected statewide medical and vocational rehabilitation organization. In her roles in public/community relations liaison and leadership development, she created as statewide network of community and political leaders, which served as the perfect segue into lobbying. As managing partner at S&L, Paddi leads the agency’s day-to-day operations and personally lobbies on behalf of many of our most prominent clients. A partner in S&L’s sister company, Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations, Inc. (SLPR), Paddi brings that same culture of strategic thinking and problem solving to help keep clients in a positive public light.
Paddi is a member of the University of Saint Joseph Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the Washington-based Public Affairs Council, a professional association of corporate/national organizations. In 2017 she was honored as “Practitioner of the Year” by the Greater CT Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Paddi holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Finance from the Rensselaer Lally School of Business and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Leadership and Community Development from Springfield College. She has received certificates from the PRSA in measurement and analytics, crisis communication and reputation risk management and has participated in select executive level programs at Stanford University and McGill University.
Accomplishments
• Developed and implemented several Connecticut market entry initiatives for a global banking interest, outpatient medical and behavior health facilities and a renewable energy company..
• A respected, trusted lobbyist with members of both sides of the aisle within her network.
• Led several multi-organizational coalitions to pass landmark legislation on scholarship funding, tort reform, energy deregulation, managed care regulation and tax initiative opposition.
• Drives business strategy and best practices for two separate and widely respected companies.
Community Involvement
When not at work or rallying her large Irish family, Paddi volunteers at a wide range of Connecticut community organizations, leading governance, strategic planning and fundraising projects. She is a member of the leadership team of the Greater CT Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Connecticut Women’s Council, the Connecticut Chapter of the International Women Forum, the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford and the University of Saint Joseph Women’s Leadership Center. She recently completed an 11-year tenure with the City of Hartford Parking Authority, the last five of which she served as Chair. She has been recognized and honored for her efforts by numerous organizations, universities and publications.
WHY WE ARE HERE…
“I love what I do. I love puzzles. I’m curious and enjoy working with a team to find solutions to the challenges presented to us. Each day is different and I get to pull together a diverse group which shares a common goal to improve a situation. Add politics to the mix and where else could you find such a daily adventure?”