Advocacy Strategies was founded in 2003 by Threase Harms to help organizations build and implement successful policies and strategies at the local, state, and federal levels through a wide range of government relations services including government relations, legislative strategy, public policy development, communication, constituency-building, management, and training. The firm has represented clients ranging from nonprofit organizations to Fortune 50 companies whose goals align with broad public interests.

Advocacy Strategies is an Iowa-based limited liability corporation specializing in government relations services, including lobbying, legislative drafting, navigating the administrative/regulatory process, strategic planning, grassroots advocacy, and providing public affairs and media assistance. Our firm consults with clients to provide the degree of assistance needed, from the planning of policy agendas and strategies to the implementation of those strategies to deliver results and ultimately, support the client's mission.

Advocacy Strategies has a full-time staff of professional experts with varying areas of expertise in a wide variety of issues, but equally important are the relationships we have with key legislators, policymakers, influencers and decision makers!

We use an inclusive approach to assisting you with your state legislative services. We would welcome the opportunity to work with your organization to determine the best plan for your needs before the Iowa Legislature, the Governor's Office, the Iowa Congressional Delegation, state agencies and regulatory committees.

We look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to learn how we can help you accomplish your goals!

City Council Member, Windsor Heights

Leadership Iowa

Licensed Foster Parent

20+ years

As President and CEO of Advocacy Strategies, Threase is responsible for the firm's overall business operations and strategy for delivering results. She has been serving clients before the Iowa Legislature for nearly 30 years. This experience has provided her with intimate knowledge of the legislative process and long-standing solid relationships with policymakers, staff, and key opinion leaders across the state. This allows her to tailor a strategy to meet the individual needs of our clients that deliver the best value to you. Advocacy Strategies' clients realize results when working with our team whether with a controversial legislative issue, securing and maintaining state appropriations, or working to find compromise to move issues forward.

In addition to lobbying, Threase has spent more than two decades developing and implementing successful public affairs and grassroots campaigns of all sizes from national campaigns across the country to smaller campaigns in Iowa communities. Her wealth of expertise in this area affords Advocacy Strategies a strong network of relationships with legislative and community leaders and a unique skill set in developing successful and innovative strategies to achieve policy goals that few firms can offer.

Threase started her lobbying career at the University of Northern Iowa as a student, then went on to work in the Iowa Senate on education issues before her employment with the American Cancer Society. From there, she took the position of Director of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Control division within the Iowa Department of Public Health, giving her the opportunity to use her passion to protect families from the hardships of illness and death from tobacco use. With multiple successes in the non-profit sector, Pfizer recruited her to be part of the Worldwide Alliance Development team. She has been an independent government relations contractor for 20 years helping organizations of all types and sizes.

Threase earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Iowa State University but remains loyal to her undergraduate alma mater the University of Northern Iowa where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies while serving as Student Body President. She also serves as an elected member of the Windsor Heights City Council and on many advisory committees and community organizations.

Threase and her husband, Rick live in Windsor Heights. They have four children and are avid cyclists and licensed foster parents.