In 2021, Kate Bell made the decision to found Kate Bell Strategies after nearly two decades of lobbying experience in California. Widely recognized by the Capitol community for her ability to frame issues effectively and knowledgeably, she is respected by state officials for her efficiency and no-nonsense approach. Her hard work ethic and key relationships within California’s state government make her an invaluable asset to any client.
Known as one of California’s most effective lobbyists before the Legislature and Administration, Kate has represented clients in industries including aviation, cybersecurity, education, business, health, housing, procurement, restaurants, retail, taxes, and technology.
Before founding Kate Bell Strategies, Kate was a partner at Capitol Advocacy, where she led the firm’s tax and procurement practices. During her time at the firm, Kate won several multi-million-dollar tax refund claims, negotiated settlements, developed effective policies and new business incentives, and represented clients before the Board of Equalization, California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Franchise Tax Board, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, and the Office of Tax Appeals. She also worked on taxability issues, tax regulations, and tax reform before the Legislature.
As part of her procurement practice, Kate also helped her client’s receive many large scale contracts from dozens of different state agencies and departments. Kate works with her clients all the way through the process, from developing bid opportunities, ensuring funding in the state budget, identifying partnership opportunities, and protesting anti-competitive outcomes, all while maintaining strong ethics. Her track record includes breaking up a decades-long monopoly in California by ensuring that an opportunity went to bid, winning multiple contracts, and securing sole contract approvals with several government agencies, just to name a few. Kate has strong relationships with executives at the California Department of Technology, Department of General Services, and the Government Operations Agency, amongst others.
Before working at Capitol Advocacy, Kate was a lobbyist at Sloat, Higgins, Jensen & Associates. Kate began her career as Chief Operating Officer of the California Business Properties Association, the state’s leading commercial, industrial, and retail real estate association.
A native of California, Kate attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where she played lacrosse, studied abroad at the University of Granada in Spain, and graduated with high honors with BA and BS degrees. She subsequently received her MBA with an emphasis in public policy from California State University, Sacramento. Kate resides in Sacramento with her husband and their two children.
