Executive Business Partner & Operational Architect  ·  Washington, DC

Lydia Hicks assesses what is happening within an organization, builds the structure needed to operate effectively, and ensures that structure holds so leadership and teams can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Operational clarity
for growing organizations.

I step into environments that already exist
and make them work at a higher level.

I assess what is happening, build the structure needed, and ensure it holds — so leadership and teams can move forward effectively.

Schedule Consultation How I Work

Services

Where I work best.

Operations

Operational Structuring

  • Priorities are shifting but nothing is aligned
  • Execution is slower than it should be

Assessment · Framework design · Implementation support

Leadership

Executive Partnership

  • Leadership is stretched and decision flow has stalled
  • Communication is inconsistent across the organization

Cadence design · Priority management · Stakeholder alignment

Communications

Strategy & Communications

  • The story exists but is not reaching the right audience
  • Messaging is inconsistent across platforms and teams

Messaging frameworks · Media strategy · Content direction

How I Work

1

Diagnose what is actually happening

Observe, assess, and identify the real gaps — not the surface symptoms. Operational, structural, relational.

2

Build structure and alignment

Design the systems, cadence, and communication flow required for leadership and teams to operate at full capacity.

3

Support execution forward

Ensure the structure holds — and that leadership intent translates into clear, actionable progress.

Executive Relocation

When your move involves more than logistics.

Executive transitions and relocations are high-stakes moments. Priorities shift, logistics multiply, and the operational environment can quickly become fragmented without the right support in place.

  • Your move is planned but your professional infrastructure is not
  • Operational continuity is at risk during the transition window

Support is structured before, during, and after the transition — ensuring continuity, clarity, and forward momentum at every phase. Available for executives relocating to or from the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, and remotely.

Scope of Support

  • Transition planning and prioritization
  • Coordination of personal and professional logistics
  • Operational continuity planning
  • Stakeholder communication alignment
  • Setup of systems, schedules, and workflows
  • Stabilization support post-transition

Pricing is defined based on the nature and scope of the work, following initial consultation.

Schedule Intro Call

Engagements

Engagements are structured
based on scope and phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Executive Business Partner do? +
An Executive Business Partner manages the operational environment surrounding senior leadership so executives and founders can focus entirely on strategy and growth. Lydia Hicks works with C-suite leaders, founders, and high-performing teams to diagnose operational gaps, build communication infrastructure, align priorities across teams, and protect leadership bandwidth. The role goes well beyond traditional executive assistance to include organizational design, strategic initiative coordination, and leadership team effectiveness.
Do you support executive relocation? +
Yes. Executive transition and relocation support is a dedicated offering. Whether you are relocating to or from the Washington, DC area or managing a leadership transition remotely, support is structured before, during, and after the move — covering transition planning, logistics coordination, operational continuity, stakeholder communication, and post-transition stabilization. Reach out to discuss your specific situation.
How do I get started? +
Getting started begins with a 15-minute introductory call to assess your current environment and determine whether the engagement is a strong fit. If aligned, a 60-minute paid strategy consultation is scheduled to identify your highest-priority operational gaps and outline a clear path forward. Most clients move into a defined engagement within one to two weeks of the initial consultation.
What is included in the 60-minute consultation? +
The 60-minute strategy consultation is a focused working session that assesses your current operational environment, identifies the specific gaps slowing your leadership team or organization, and produces a clear set of recommended next steps. You will leave with a sharper understanding of where operational friction is costing you time and revenue, and a prioritized action plan tailored to your situation. The consultation fee is credited toward any future engagement if you move forward within 30 days.
How are engagements structured? +
Engagements are structured in one of three ways: a project-based engagement with defined deliverables and a fixed timeline, a fractional retainer providing ongoing Executive Business Partner or Chief of Staff support, or a strategic advisory relationship for leaders who need a trusted thought partner without full operational involvement. Each structure is designed to produce clarity, alignment, and execution momentum.
Do you work remotely or only in Washington, DC? +
Lydia Hicks is based in Washington, DC and works with clients both in the DMV region (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia) and remotely. Most engagements include a combination of on-site presence and remote availability depending on the scope and nature of the work. Remote-only engagements are available for clients outside the DMV area.
What makes this engagement different? +
Lydia Hicks brings more than 30 years of executive partnership experience spanning Cabinet-level government consulting, Fortune 500 financial services, major healthcare systems, and founder-led startups — including serving as operational right-hand to Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor. This breadth of experience across sectors and leadership environments is what distinguishes this work from consultants who have operated in a single industry or organizational type.

Profile

Executive Business Partner and Operational Consultant.

Lydia Hicks is an Executive Business Partner and operational consultant who works with growing organizations to bring structure and alignment to how they operate. When execution starts to slow, Lydia steps in to stabilize the environment so leadership and teams can move forward effectively.

Her work is grounded in observation. She naturally identifies friction points and opportunities for improvement, often before they are formally identified by leadership.

Lydia works with founders and leadership teams moving into a new phase of growth, and with creatives and independent operators who need sharper strategy, communications, and execution support. She moves fast, thinks in systems, and delivers results.

For over 11 years, Lydia Hicks consulted with the CES operations team as Manager of Press Kit Exhibits, serving as a trusted bridge between exhibitors and media at one of the world's largest technology trade shows. That direct experience with how media operates at scale is something she brings to every client engagement.

Education

MBA, Business Administration – University of Phoenix
BA, Business Communications – University of Phoenix

Select Work

  • Lydia Hicks was brought in during the construction phase of a founder-led startup based in Washington, DC. She diagnosed critical gaps across sales, communications, staffing, and operations, then built the organizational infrastructure from the ground up. Her work contributed to approximately $1.5 million in pre-sold revenue within six months of engagement.
  • Lydia provided brand image, media strategy, marketing, and content consulting for Legacy Music, a 10,000 square foot multimedia production facility located in Gastonia, North Carolina. She supported the organization through Phase II growth and led community positioning strategy following their launch.
  • Following an introduction at CES, Lydia Hicks was engaged by Chargerleash as a consulting client. She led the media and communications strategy that generated more than 50 earned media features and mentions — including a Fox News DC segment and a Good Day DC feature — within three months. The client subsequently secured a licensing deal.
  • Lydia was engaged by The Selfie Stick team following CES to provide media strategy and positioning support. The team subsequently pivoted and successfully launched a new venture.
  • Lydia Hicks repositioned a planned single-use property as a multi-functional event and production space in Washington, DC. She built the communications strategy and launched the property across more than five platforms, including Airbnb, achieving four to six bookings per month within the first three months of operation.

What Clients Say

"Lydia Hicks exemplifies grace under fire. A consummate professional with precision. She keeps her eye focused on her goals and delivers every time — a square shooter. I highly recommend her to any organization that wants top-flight caliber talent."

Vera Hope Walston

Artist & Designer

"As a consultant, Lydia was always pleasant to work with, strategic and creative in her approach to marketing and PR. She managed to increase our digital footprint by 15% and provided sound marketing strategies and communications plans for reaching various audiences. I would not hesitate to hire her again."

Antoinette Murphy

BTG

"For teams seeking a blend of precision and creativity, I cannot recommend Lydia enough. She is not just an asset — she is a game-changer."

Jacqui Barrineau

Editor-in-Chief, CoatingsTech Magazine

Schedule Consultation

Ready to bring clarity
to where you are.

If execution is starting to slow or you are building into a new phase of growth, reach out to begin the conversation.

Initial consultations are scheduled following a 15-minute introductory call.

Schedule Intro Call
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