Lyda has held leadership positions in fields ranging from non-profit management to fundraising, advocacy and public relations. Most recently, Lyda has developed an expertise in energy interests, including the growing renewable energy sector. The following projects represent just a small slice of the work that Lyda has completed during her 20-year career.
Texas Academy of General Dentistry: Executive Advising, Strategic Planning & Organizational Consulting
Connections Consulting was retained in Spring 2010 by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry (TAGD) to help facilitate the organization’s annual strategic planning session. As a follow-up to the successful strategic planning process, the firm was hired to conduct an organizational assessment to ensure that the TAGD is well-positioned and has the necessary systems in place to accommodate future growth. Connections Consulting has helped implement the organization’s new strategic and organizational plan and has provided strategic counsel on public relations, branding, crisis management and other mission-critical activities.
City of Austin
Connections Consulting has been retained by the City of Austin to provide strategic planning and communications counsel to the city’s Chief Sustainability Officer, a new position created in 2010 to establish a citywide sustainability program in order to create a healthy environment, quality of life and strong economy.
Sam Houston Race Park: Executive Advising & Media Relations
Connections Consulting was hired by the Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas to help manage the announcement of a major partnership between the race park and a national gaming company. Lyda provides strategic counsel, media strategy and ongoing consulting to top level executives.
Texas Dental Association: Public Affairs & Issues Management
While serving as Director of Executive Affairs for the Texas Dental Association (TDA), Lyda led a successful effort to secure a $250,000 grant from the American Dental Association to develop a research-based advocacy report on the status of oral health care in Texas called “Building Better Oral Health: A Dental Home for all Texans.” Lyda oversaw the three-year award-winning project, working with dentists and researchers to develop the report, the first-ever of its kind in Texas. She helped implement a media outreach campaign and educated legislators on the report and its recommendations, several of which were later adopted by the Texas legislature.
Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation: Non-Profit Management
When the Texas Dental Association’s charitable arm, the TDA Smiles Foundation was undergoing a period of organizational change, Lyda was asked to step in as the foundation’s interim director. After taking over the realms, Lyda secured IRS 501c3 non-profit status for the foundation, increased grant funding, streamlined staff and board operations and hired a full-time director. During her two-year tenure, Smiles Foundation endowment doubled to over $1 million. In addition to promoting the importance of oral health care through advocacy, public education and press efforts, Lyda managed the “Texas Mission of Mercy” events that provided charitable dental care to eligible communities in Texas.
Campaign to Authorize Statewide Lottery in Texas: Public Affairs, Publicity & Media Relations
Lyda was at the front-lines for one of the state’s most compelling legislative and public relations battles, the passage of a statewide lottery. A key member of the consulting team hired by lottery advocates to pass enabling legislation, Lyda was responsible for research, strategy development and media relations. During the legislative session, Lyda worked with a team of lobbyists who ultimately secured passage of legislation that brought the issue of the lottery before the voters in a statewide referendum. Prior to the referendum, Lyda managed the media and public relations campaign that ultimately resulted in voter approval for Texas’ first-ever lottery.
Paraguay National Presidential Campaign: Publicity & Media Relations
Lyda was hired by a national presidential candidate to train and mentor campaign staff on messaging, fundraising, media relations, communications and voter outreach. Lyda’s candidate went on to win the election by a wide margin.