Growth Architect  ·  Strategic Advisor  ·  Washington, DC

I work with people who are ready to hear the truth and act on it. If that's you, let's talk.

I see it
different.

Most people don't. That's why you're stuck.

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 walks in, assesses, and tells you exactly what's wrong and why
  • No softening. No guessing. Clear direction for next steps.

Operational assessment · Gap analysis · Root-cause diagnosis

Build

Build What's Missing

  • Operations, sales infrastructure, and communications — built from scratch or rebuilt from dysfunction
  • Revenue pipeline systems that make your sales team's job easy

Infrastructure design · Pipeline systems · 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 the truth

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.

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

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. A fractional Executive Business Partner or Chief of Staff brings senior-level execution, structure, and alignment from day one, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.

Fractional Retainer

Ongoing Part-Time EBP / CoS

Dedicated fractional support on a monthly retainer — calendar and priority management, leadership cadence, cross-functional alignment, and execution oversight. Available 10–20 hours per week.

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.

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? +
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.
Strategic Advisor.

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 — or a business — and within minutes sees what it actually is, what it could become, and exactly what's standing in the way.

She has done this for 30 years across Cabinet-level government, Fortune 500 finance, healthcare systems, and founder-led startups. She built the operational infrastructure for a DC-area franchise before its doors opened and contributed to $1.5M in revenue in 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.

She is not a support function. She is the person who sees the movie in the manuscript, the event space in the rental, the revenue system in the chaos — and then builds it. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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

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 15-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.