Growth Architect  |  Fractional Strategic Operator  |  Washington, DC

I help leaders identify what's actually preventing progress, build the solution, and work alongside the team until the system is functioning.

I See It
Different.™

Most people don't. That's often where opportunities are found.

Most people focus on symptoms.

I focus on causes.

I identify what's actually preventing progress, build the solution, and work alongside the team until the system is functioning.

You've built something real. I'll show you why it isn't further along - and change that. Operations. Revenue pipeline. Communications. All of it.

Schedule Consultation How I Work

Services

Where I work best.

Operations

See What's Broken

  • Organizational diagnostic. Lydia assesses the current environment, identifies what's preventing progress, and provides clear observations and recommendations for moving forward.

Operational assessment  ·  Gap analysis  ·  Root-cause diagnosis

Build

Build What's Missing

  • Operations, sales infrastructure, communications systems, and governance structures built from scratch or rebuilt from dysfunction.

Infrastructure design  ·  Operating systems  ·  Pipeline development  ·  Communications architecture

Position

Position for What's Next

  • Brand repositioning, media strategy, launch planning, and visibility
  • For founders ready to be seen - and heard - at the right level

Messaging frameworks · Media strategy · Platform launch

How I Work

1

See what's actually there

Walk in. Read the room. Identify what the business actually is and what it could become - faster and more accurately than most people in the room.

2

Tell you what's real

Name exactly what's broken and why. Not what's comfortable. What's real. The right client wants to hear this - and act on it.

3

Build what's missing

Design and install the systems, infrastructure, and strategy that takes you from where you are to where you should be. Then make sure it holds.

Signature Stories

Eight stories. One methodology.

Observe. Diagnose. Build. Sustain.

1

When the Leader Became the Bottleneck

Three years of silence. One phone call. Stakeholders re-engaged.

2

Building Before the Doors Open

Infrastructure built before launch. $1.5M in pre-sold revenue within six months.

3

From CES to Sixty Placements in Three Months

Visibility without infrastructure is noise. The show floor is the beginning.

4

That’s Not the Problem

The opportunity was hiding inside the original engagement. I saw it after the work ended.

5

The Emergency Behind the Exhibition

She needed a photographer. I wasn’t the photographer. The cover image was taken on an iPhone.

6

The Event Space That Wasn’t an Airbnb

The plan was to use the space one way. I looked at it and saw something else entirely.

7

The Second Set of Eyes

Six weeks of observation. One meeting. The team was stunned. “How did you do all of that with so little information?”

8

Telling Someone Else’s Story

He had built something real. What was missing was the narrative. Visibility begins with clarity.

Observation is not passive. It is the most active thing I do.
I focus on causes.

Portfolio

Work that speaks for itself.

A full overview of engagements, methodology, credentials, and case studies — for founders, executives, event organizers, and anyone who wants to understand how this work gets done.

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Fractional & Interim Engagements

Your first operational hire doesn't have to be full-time.

Funded startups and growth-stage companies in build mode need operational clarity immediately, not after a 90-day search. Fractional support provides experienced leadership, execution, and operational structure without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

As a Fractional Strategic Operator, I help leaders identify what's actually preventing progress, build the solution, and work alongside the team until the system is functioning. Engagements may include executive partnership, operational infrastructure, cross-functional alignment, governance, implementation support, and strategic execution, depending on client needs.

Fractional Retainer

Ongoing Fractional Strategic Operator Support

Dedicated monthly support focused on executive priorities, leadership cadence, operational infrastructure, cross-functional alignment, governance, and execution oversight. Ideal for founders, executives, and growth-stage organizations navigating expansion, transition, or operational complexity.

Starting at $4,500/month  ·  Minimum 3-month engagement

Project-Based

Defined Scope  ·  Fixed Timeline

Operational buildout, organizational diagnostic, leadership infrastructure, or a specific initiative from scoping through delivery. Ideal for post-funding build phases or critical transition windows.

Priced by scope  ·  Typically 4–12 weeks

Interim

Bridge Coverage  ·  Critical Moments

Interim EBP or CoS coverage during a leadership gap, executive transition, or high-stakes growth phase. Full operational presence until the right permanent hire is in place.

Daily or weekly rate  ·  Available immediately

Who This Is For

Interim & Short-Term Engagements

Executive Business Partner Support - Available Now

Inquire About Fractional Availability

Engagements

Engagements are structured
based on scope and phase.

Engagement Process

1 Strategic Assessment Conversation
2 Strategic Assessment Summary
3 Mutual Fit Review
4 Statement of Work
5 Implementation
6 Transition & Closeout

Services Not Included Unless Specifically Defined in the SOW

  • -Ongoing administrative support
  • -Unlimited revisions
  • -Personal errands
  • -Employee management responsibilities
  • -Services not expressly listed in the SOW

Best Fit Clients

  • -Ready to make decisions
  • -Open to honest feedback
  • -Committed to execution
  • -Willing to be accountable
  • -Seeking solutions, not validation

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.
How do I get started? +
Getting started begins with a 20-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? +
A production studio once said mid-conversation: "I like the way Lydia thinks." That response is not unusual. Lydia walks into a room - or a business - and sees what it actually is and what it could become. She has repositioned an Airbnb as a multi-platform event space, cold-reached a major recording artist's management team and gotten a yes, and contributed to $1.5M in revenue in six months for a startup that hadn't yet opened its doors. The way she operates is who she is. No two engagements look the same. Every result is real.

Profile

Growth Architect | Fractional Strategic Operator

Lydia Hicks sees what others miss.

A production studio once said mid-conversation, "I like the way Lydia thinks." That response is not unusual. It happens because Lydia walks into a room, a business, or a growth initiative and quickly sees what it actually is, what it could become, and what's preventing progress.

For more than 30 years, she has worked across Cabinet-level government, Fortune 500 finance, healthcare systems, and founder-led startups. She built the organizational infrastructure for a DC-area franchise before its doors opened and contributed to $1.5M in revenue within six months. She repositioned an Airbnb as a multi-platform event space and launched it across five platforms. She cold-reached a major recording artist's management team while the artist was on an international tour and got a yes.

Lydia helps leaders identify what's actually preventing progress, build the solution, and work alongside the team until the system is functioning.

She sees the movie in the manuscript, the event space in the rental, the operating system in the chaos, and the opportunity hidden inside the obstacle. Then she builds what is needed to move forward.

The way she operates is who she is.

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.
  • Reimagined a planned short-term rental as a multi-revenue hospitality, event, and production destination. Developed the business model, guest experience, strategic partnerships, launch roadmap, marketing assets, and platform strategy that positioned the property for successful market entry.
  • Lydia Hicks identified an accomplished videographer whose work was being undervalued through an unbalanced business relationship. After assessing his goals, market position, and client mix, she recommended a strategic repositioning focused on higher-value clientele, independent brand development, pricing alignment, and digital visibility. She guided the launch of a new website, refined content strategy, and encouraged a shift toward corporate, entertainment, and event-based opportunities. Within months, the business experienced more than 30,000 social media views, increased from approximately three projects per month to twelve, and expanded its client base to include corporate, celebrity, and entertainment industry clients.
  • 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. Read the CES 2027 Strategy Guide →
  • 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.

CES 2027

Planning to exhibit at CES 2027?

The most successful exhibitors don't wait for January. With 11+ years working CES media and press campaigns - including 50+ placements and a licensing deal for one first-time exhibitor - I know exactly how to build momentum before the show floor opens. Your window starts now.

Read the CES 2027 Strategy Guide Book a CES Strategy Session

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

"Lydia helped me rethink everything: business strategy, pricing, package development, and my web presence. The rebrand she guided me through expanded my market from local gigs to national accounts, entertainers, and celebrities. I went from averaging 3 local bookings a month to being so busy my wife thought I was having an affair. I was in the doghouse for a month and it was completely worth it. I can't thank her enough."

L. Golightly

Cineville Videos  ·  Charlotte, NC

Schedule Consultation

Ready to hear the truth
about where you are?

If you've built something real and you know it should be further along - reach out. The first 15 minutes are free. After that, every minute of Lydia's time is paid.

Free 20-minute screen. Then a paid strategy session. Then we move.

Or Send a Direct Inquiry

Schedule Intro Call Connect on LinkedIn

CES 2027  ·  60th Anniversary  ·  Las Vegas · January 6–9

The brands that win at CES 2027
are already planning.

CES 2027 is not just another show. It's the 60th anniversary - a milestone that will draw the largest exhibitor pool, the most media attention, and the highest expectations in the event's history. The opportunity to break through has never been bigger. Neither has the competition.

Most exhibitors don't lose at the show. They lose in the months before it. Wrong timing. Weak media strategy. No story. No plan. The pain points are always the same - starting too late, pitching the wrong outlets, missing the window when journalists are actually paying attention, and arriving in Las Vegas hoping instead of ready.

CES 2027 deserves better than hope. With 11+ years working CES, I'll be keeping a close eye on developments so my clients never miss a critical window.

Book Your Free 15-Minute Strategy Call

Media Strategy

Build the right media list. Pitch the right people. At the right time.

Press Positioning

Your story, press-ready. Not what you make - what it means.

On-Ground Support

Full show floor presence. I'm there when it counts.

Wire & Broadcast

Wire announcements and broadcast strategy for maximum reach.