Mar 29, 2017

An iconic Dem firm adapts to GOP rule

Mike Allen

Heather Podesta tells me she got the idea for her lobbying firm's new name from the archbishop, while she was watching "The Crown" on Neflix. In a move meant to reflect an expanding bipartisan team at the once-Democratic firm, Heather Podesta + Partners today changes its name to Invariant:

  • The name connotes something constant you can rely on. Podesta, who leads a team of 16, plus interns, said of the change: "The firm isn't about me. We're a very different firm now."
  • Heather Podesta does government relations for a number of California companies, and was an early Washington voice for new brands like Snapchat, SpaceX and FitBit.
  • The history: "Heather Podesta founded her eponymous firm in 2007 with one employee. Today, Invariant is the largest independent, woman-owned lobbying firm in the country."
  • What's ahead: The firm is in hiring mode, planning to add big names.
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