by Emily Patrolia
Five years ago, I took a leap of faith. After years of witnessing the ocean community struggle to capture the attention it deserved in Washington, I knew something had to change. The need was clear: ocean and coastal organizations required high-level advocacy and strategic government relations, but the resources, expertise, and relationships to make that happen were often out of reach. So, in March 2020, I founded ESP Advisors—alone, working from a makeshift desk in my living room, and uncertain whether this vision could become a reality.
What started as a one-woman operation has grown into a powerhouse firm that moves seamlessly between the worlds of ocean science and policy. Today, ESP Advisors is a trusted partner to some of the most impactful organizations in the ocean space. We’ve built an incredible bipartisan team, cultivated deep relationships with policymakers, and secured game-changing wins for our clients. Looking back, it’s astounding to see how far we’ve come in five short years.
What We Do—And Why We’re Different
ESP Advisors paves the way for ocean and coastal change-makers. We help organizations navigate the complex landscape of the federal government, educate decision-makers, and drive real policy outcomes that matter. Our work spans government relations, policy strategy, communications, and coalition building—individually tailored to ensure our clients’ voices are heard at the highest levels.
Our team includes alumni from the offices of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS), House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA), Senate Oceans Caucus Co-Chair and Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI, and the late Rep. Don Young (R-AK), former Dean of the House and longtime ocean champion.
But what truly sets us apart? Unlike traditional firms, we don’t just check the boxes of government affairs; we are double subject matter experts, deeply knowledgeable about both ocean science and federal policy and uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between those worlds. We bring expertise, trusted relationships, and a commitment to excellence that ensures our clients not only compete but lead.
We are strategic, effective, and—frankly—fun to work with.
Five Years of Impact
The proof is in the results. In just five years, ESP Advisors:
Secured over $500 million in funding for ocean and coastal initiatives
Successfully helped draft and pass 18 major laws benefiting our clients and the broader ocean community
Conducted over 800 meetings with congressional offices and government officials
Hosted more than 40 policy-focused briefings and networking events
Advanced policies that had been gridlocked for decades
Written over 180 weekly ocean policy newsletters to keep our clients up to speed on everything happening in Washington (which we just made free to all this year!)
Our clients don’t just hire us for what we do—they hire us for the results we deliver. As Dr. Gerhard Kuska of MARACOOS (our first client!) put it, “ESP Advisors is essential to our success.” That’s the standard we hold ourselves to, every single day.
Looking Forward
As I reflect on how much we’ve learned and grown in the last five years, I’m excited for the next five years of driving change, securing funding, and shaping policies that will define the future of our coasts and oceans.
Growth is what we do, personally and professionally. We are constantly evolving, refining our strategies, and expanding our reach. We push ourselves to be more efficient, more impactful, and more creative in our approach. And we are growing—bringing on new talent, strengthening our expertise, and ensuring that our influence in Washington continues to rise.
The next five years are sure to be challenging, but rest assured, we will be here, driving change, securing funding, and shaping policies that will define the future of our coasts and oceans.
ESP Advisors would be nothing but a dream without the hard work of our team and the support of our clients—allowing us to dive even more deeply into the issues and continue to increase our impact. To our team and our clients—thank you.
If you’re ready to take your ocean and coastal priorities to the next level, let’s talk. ESP Advisors isn’t just a firm; it’s a force.
Here’s to the next five years of impact, innovation, and making waves in ocean policy.
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