The People’s Lobbyist

Sheila Ballen Communications is a full-service strategic communications and government relations firm for organizations navigating high-stakes moments — from public funding and policy to media visibility and crisis. We deliver results through seasoned instincts, deep-rooted relationships, and flat-out hustle.

Who We Work With

Our clients are mission-driven organizations where communications isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s existential. We work with hospitals and health systems, housing developers and community development organizations, nonprofits, universities, and advocacy coalitions. What they share is this: high public stakes, complex stakeholder environments, and goals that require both policy smarts and media savvy to achieve.

What We Do

We work across the full arc of a high-stakes communications challenge. That might start with government relations — building the legislative and agency relationships that translate policy into funding, and making sure decision-makers know your name before they need to. It moves into media strategy: earned coverage in the outlets that matter to your stakeholders, and the message discipline to make every placement count.

When a crisis hits — and for the organizations we work with, it often does — we help clients move from reactive to in-control, fast. And when the goal is sustained visibility and positioning, we build the longer-term public affairs infrastructure that keeps your voice in the room.

We don’t hand you a plan and walk away. We execute.

“Nonprofit specialist Sheila Ballen helms her own firm, Sheila Ballen Communications, where she takes on causes that are mission-driven and in the public interest. Recently, she‘s engaged state officials on the importance of school-based health centers and helped regional cultural and civic programs secure state grants. Ballen‘s decades of experience include communications leadership roles with the University of Pennsylvania, Mastery Charter Schools and the state Department of Education. She currently volunteers with the nutrition nonprofit Philly Food Rescue.”

It is an honor to be recognized as one of the Commonwealth’s most influential difference-makers. Reach out when you are ready to amplify your mission and organization.

Impact Through Results

I have secured $2.85 million in state funding for a single nonprofit client, led strategy on multiple RACP grants totaling millions, and helped clients win dedicated line items in both State and City budgets. My media work has generated hundreds of placements in the outlets that matter — and my policy relationships have put clients in the room where state-level decisions actually get made.

What do you need? I can deliver.