With nearly 30 years of experience in corporate leadership and government service, Chris is adept at assessing public sector impacts, creating advocacy strategies, navigating complex regulations, and driving favorable business outcomes. His contributions to international business diplomacy have included major transatlantic initiatives, such as U.S.-E.U. and German-U.S. relations. See Cases for some of his notable work.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the American University, Washington College of Law. He is a member of the bars of Washington D.C. and Virginia. He serves on several charitable and professional boards, including the boards of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Meridian Center, The Bryce Harlow Foundation, The Congressional Award, and the Washington Ireland Program. He is Vice Chairman of the board of directors of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Chris is also a member of the Economic Club of Washington DC, the Carlton Club, and The Business-Government Relations Council. He has been honored annually since 2016 as a “Top Corporate Lobbyist” by The Hill newspaper.
Originally from Washington, D.C., Chris grew up in Northern Virginia, where he resides with his wife and their golden retriever. The Leahys have two grown children.
Chris Leahy is a seasoned executive and attorney with deep expertise in government relations, public policy, and global corporate affairs. He has delivered strategic leadership for major corporations such as Intuit, Bayer, Peabody Energy, and Volkswagen, covering sectors including energy, mining, transportation, life sciences, and technology.
As the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Intuit, Chris led a 35-member team, advising the CEO and senior leadership on effective engagement with U.S. and international governments. His responsibilities encompassed global advocacy, policy analysis, public affairs, and strategic philanthropy.
Previously, Chris served as Vice President and Head of Government Relations and Policy at Bayer, where he was the primary liaison to federal, state, and local governments on issues critical to Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, and Crop Science divisions. He has also held key positions in public policy and government relations at Peabody Energy and Volkswagen Group of America.
During his tenure on Capitol Hill as Policy Coordinator and Senior Counsel for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Chris developed a robust understanding of policymaking and implementation. His work with the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce honed his skills in advocacy and public sector engagement, making him a valued advisor to clients today.
