Five Questions with the Peritus Advocacy Team

Advocacy isn’t just about raising your voice — it’s about creating strategies that lead to action and impact. From shaping public opinion to influencing policy, advocacy requires expertise, passion and a deep understanding of the issues at hand.

In this installment of our series, we’re sitting down with our advocacy team to explore the insights and experiences that drive their work. Through this Q&A, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to navigate the advocacy landscape, build relationships with stakeholders and achieve meaningful change.

If you’re new to the series, we recommend checking out our first two posts, which dive into the foundational elements of effective advocacy:

We hope you enjoy the unique perspectives of the Peritus Advocacy team. 

1. What does advocacy mean to you personally, and what inspired you to enter the field of public affairs/advocacy?

“Advocacy to me is about using my voice and resources to drive meaningful change. My passion for advocacy was sparked by seeing the direct impact that a well-coordinated public affairs campaign can have on issues impacting our communities, which motivates me to help amplify the missions of organizations that work to make our state a better place to live, work and raise my family.”

 – Elizabeth Paul, director of public affairs

 

"Personally and professionally, I value community, self-efficacy and impact, and advocacy provides an avenue to bring all these elements together. I got into public affairs for the opportunities to affect real change through collaboration with people and organizations in my community."

 – Bella Tylicki, public affairs supervisor

 

“When I started college, I intended to go to medical school until I took a class that helped me understand the connection between public policy and long-term health. I quickly pivoted after realizing that for some, optimal health care is not possible simply because of the zip code they were born into and I felt like I could make bigger strides by affecting policy. My career thus far has focused on health care policy for that reason - I think that folks should have a fair shot at a long, healthy life regardless of their life circumstances. To me, advocacy is the opportunity to leave the world a better place through policy change and strategic communications.”

– Elizabeth Simpson, communications supervisor

 

“I never had a dream job. I just knew that whatever I chose to do needed to give me a platform to make the world a better place. I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to drive meaningful change, and it became my mission to amplify the voices of those who often go unheard. Advocacy and public affairs offered the perfect avenue to pursue that mission. Each day, I have the privilege of uplifting individual stories and voices that inspire progress, helping to move our state forward in ways that truly matter."

– Lillie Ben Harris, public affairs coordinator

2. In which industries or issues do you specialize or are you particularly passionate about, and how do you ensure our expertise stays relevant in a constantly evolving landscape?

“I’m passionate about supporting the innovation ecosystem in our state, and the organizations in Alabama that are supporting and growing our startups and entrepreneurs. To ensure our expertise stays relevant, I prioritize staying informed about emerging trends and news to stay ahead of both potential challenges and opportunities.”

– Elizabeth Paul, director of public affairs

 

"For the last five years or so, much of my work has been in innovation and health care, two dynamic sectors that demand constant evolution and deep understanding. I'm personally passionate about education, economic development and criminal justice reform and would love to partner with more organizations working to make Alabama a more just and prosperous state. There are three primary ways I like to stay informed and hone my expertise: strong relationships with subject matter experts, continuous environmental scanning and industry events."

 – Bella Tylicki, public affairs supervisor

 

“I am very passionate about health care policy. During college, I learned all about food deserts and the connection between health and wealth. I feel particularly passionate about this when it comes to kids, who are often without control when it comes to building the foundation for a healthy adult life. The policies we have in place are wide-ranging and affect our lives in obvious and not-so-obvious ways; from health insurance down to the kinds of food advertising that can be used to target kids. All of this matters, and I think that as advocacy professionals, we play an important role in telling the stories that illustrate the impact of health care policy. 

Every day is a new day in the health care world, but it's important to keep up to date on the latest policy developments and trends. At the end of the day, though, it's important to pay attention to the impact of policies in place, as they often have unintended consequences. Staying informed on that piece is crucial for being effective advocates.”

– Elizabeth Simpson, communications supervisor

 

"My expertise lies in health care policy, innovation, and economic development — three areas critical to building stronger, more equitable communities. I’m also personally passionate about education, LGBTQ+ causes and disability rights, which drive my commitment to creating inclusive solutions.

To stay relevant in a constantly evolving landscape, I prioritize continuous learning, including engaging with industry leaders, staying updated on research and policy and listening to those directly impacted by these issues.”

– Lillie Ben Harris, public affairs coordinator

3. What’s your approach to building lasting client relationships? How does our work foster partnerships that benefit clients and communities?

“I believe in building client relationships through trust, transparency and open communication. By understanding a client’s objectives, and the broader community impact, we create partnerships that lead to sustainable success, ensuring our strategies align with both the client’s business goals and Peritus’ mission to connect our communities.”

– Elizabeth Paul, director of public affairs

 

"We are all human first, which is why I focus on building relationships with the person behind the role. Our success in public affairs stems from fostering genuine two-way communication, encouraging our clients to actively listen to their communities and stakeholders, which enables them to authentically fulfill their mission."

 – Bella Tylicki, public affairs supervisor

 

“Building client relationships happens by taking interest in client points of contact as people first, and importantly, understanding what a "win" is for them and their organization. Coupling the human aspect of working with clients and doing strong work often leads to lasting client relationships. One of the things I love about working at Peritus is that we make an effort to ensure that our work is mission-aligned, meaning that we're working on issues that really do impact communities in Alabama. For that reason alone, Peritus and community impact go hand in hand.”

– Elizabeth Simpson, communications supervisor

 

“My approach to building lasting client relationships starts with viewing clients as people first, not just organizations. Building a genuine connection is essential, and that begins with understanding what drives their mission and what keeps them up at night. By truly listening and ensuring we understand their challenges and aspirations, we can develop trust and ensure our work is aligned with their goals.

Our work goes beyond delivering results — it’s about fostering partnerships that make a tangible difference. By helping clients achieve their mission, we create a ripple effect that benefits the communities they serve.”

– Lillie Ben Harris, public affairs coordinator

4. Can you share a campaign you’re especially proud of and the impact it had?

“One campaign I’m particularly proud of is our work with JBS Mental Health Authority to support the opening of the Craig Crisis Care Center and raise awareness about Alabama's ongoing mental health and substance use crisis. The campaign successfully educated stakeholders, highlighted the importance of the new facility, and demonstrated continued support for Governor Ivey’s mental health initiatives. By strategically engaging media and key stakeholders, we generated over 60 media placements, secured participation from more than 20 elected officials, and attracted 200+ attendees to the grand opening, resulting in significant awareness and momentum for mental health support across the state.”

– Elizabeth Paul, director of public affairs

 

"Leading Innovate Alabama's statewide listening tour enabled us to connect with more than 60 key stakeholders and legislators, building crucial relationships that positioned Alabama as a growing innovation hub. Our strategic communications and outreach efforts culminated in unanimous legislative approval of the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit and a $33.4 million budget, demonstrating how authentic engagement with ecosystem builders and community leaders can drive transformative policy outcomes."

 – Bella Tylicki, public affairs supervisor

 

“At Peritus, I'm particularly proud of our work for Virta Health, a company focused on helping folks reverse type 2 diabetes and obesity. Through the project, we were able to amplify awareness of Virta's offerings to Birmingham residents, and also got to meet some Virta members who shared the impact on their lives. It was exciting to think about the future impact that the awareness campaign could make. Clear and consistent communication with our client and stakeholders helped us to navigate challenges and make the activation a success.” 

– Elizabeth Simpson, communications supervisor

 

“One campaign I’m especially proud of is my senior capstone project for the Magic City Acceptance Center. The campaign was designed to raise awareness and support for LGBTQ+ youth in Birmingham by amplifying their voices and promoting the Center’s critical work. We focused on storytelling and community engagement to create a campaign that was both authentic and impactful. The campaign not only increased visibility for the Center but also strengthened its connection with the local community, which was incredibly rewarding."

– Lillie Ben Harris, public affairs coordinator

5. What trends are shaping the future of advocacy, and how do you measure success, especially with the long-term impact of our work?

“The future of advocacy is being shaped by advancements in digital tools, AI and data analytics. Success will be measured by how effectively these technologies help drive meaningful, long-term policy improvements and empower advocacy campaigns to reach broader audiences while creating lasting change and policy shifts that benefit communities and industries alike.”

– Elizabeth Paul, director of public affairs

 

"Technology is fundamentally reshaping how we advocate for issues, creating new channels for engagement and impact measurement. The emergence of Gen Z and Gen Alpha as powerful voices in advocacy spaces promises to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to creating social change."

 – Bella Tylicki, public affairs supervisor

 

“Grassroots organizing is certainly winning the day in many campaigns across the country. When folks on the ground tell their stories, decision makers often listen. But that does not happen without a localized, grassroots approach. I think that is why having a local team on your side is so important, and why I think Peritus is able to be so effective. We care deeply about our state, understand the dynamics at play, and combine those two things to drive progress for our clients. Success happens incrementally, and I measure it by the "little wins" - change never happens overnight, but as long as we are inching our way toward a brighter future, I am happy!”

– Elizabeth Simpson, communications supervisor

 

“Advocacy is increasingly shaped by the power of grassroots organizing and an emphasis on mutual aid. More than ever, people want to feel seen and heard, and effective advocacy meets them where they are, building movements from the ground up. Grassroots efforts, fueled by digital tools and local networks, are transforming how we engage communities and drive change.

Measuring success means looking at both immediate outcomes, like increased engagement or legislative milestones, and long-term impact, such as shifts in community well-being or cultural attitudes. Success is when our work empowers communities to sustain progress on their own, creating lasting change that aligns with their values and needs."

– Lillie Ben Harris, public affairs coordinator

Remember, advocacy is about more than policies — it’s about people. From building meaningful relationships to amplifying unheard voices, every approach matters. Be intentional in how you connect and communicate, and don’t underestimate the power of genuine engagement to drive lasting change.

If you’re ready to amplify your impact or explore new ways to engage your audience, connect with our team by emailing connect@perituspr.com.

BlogPeritus TeamPeritus PRTraining Resources, Legislative Blog