Transforming Ideas To Action

Troy Clair is the Founder and CEO of STRATEGY HQ, an advisory firm that empowers brands to “Win the Future” by helping businesses engage their most critical stakeholders and offering career coaching to professionals. He is a corporate affairs leader with sound judgment, analytical skills, and integrity who is a trusted advisor to executives in the public and private sectors.

Troy develops innovative strategies that empower companies and nonprofits to grow, build a positive brand reputation, advance sustainability goals, and have a positive impact on the communities they serve. Troy is a thought leader on topics ranging from technology and politics to personal and professional development. He has given speeches and led workshops for more than 30 organizations. Troy graduated cum laude from Duke University as a Harry S. Truman Scholar.

TECHNOLOGY & RETAIL

Amazon — Head of Public Policy Partnerships
Instacart — Head of Public Engagement

UNITED STATES CONGRESS

U.S. Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC) — Chief of Staff
U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) — Deputy External Affairs Director
U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns (NY) — CBCF Congressional Intern

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE

U.S. Department of the Treasury — Senior Advisor to the Assistant Treasury Secretary
The White House — Press Intern

PRESIDENTIAL & LOCAL CAMPAIGNS

Hillary Clinton for President — State Director (NC)
John Kerry for President — Regional Field Organizer (Miami, FL)
Twenty-First Century Democrats PAC — National Training Director

NATIONAL NONPROFIT

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation — Director of the Leadership Institute for Public Service

OFFICIAL BIO & HEADSHOTS

INVITE TO SPEAK

A Builder from Brooklyn

Building Community

Troy is a Brooklyn-born builder with a deep-rooted passion for creating impactful change. Growing up in New York introduced him to a rich mix of cultures, while summers spent in the South taught him the true meaning of community and connection.

His journey, which includes attending college in the South and serving as Chief of Staff to a Southern member of Congress, has equipped him with a unique perspective that helps him understand, listen to, and work with diverse types of people. This blend of experiences allows him to foster collaboration and drive meaningful progress in any community.

Building Leaders

Troy’s first experience working in Washington began as a White House intern in the West Wing, where he gained a behind-the-scenes look at how government operates and witnessed the tireless dedication of public servants.

This transformative experience fueled his desire to return to DC and intern in Congress through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation program, where he learned about the vital role the CBC plays in advocating for meaningful policies.

Recognizing the need to cultivate a new generation of leaders, Troy took on the role of running the CBCF Institute for Public Service after graduating from Duke, focusing on coaching and training emerging advocates. He believes the only way to win the future is to have experienced, diverse leaders guiding the way.

Troy in the press briefing room during his White House internship.

Building Campaigns

Troy’s experience in presidential politics began in Miami during the 2004 election cycle, where he ran one of the largest regional field offices for John Kerry’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts, emphasizing grassroots organizing and community engagement. He then became the director of training for a PAC in 2006, where he developed and implemented training programs for candidates and campaign staff to build a campaign operation that eventually grew to enhance strategic capabilities across multiple races.

In 2016, as North Carolina State Director for Hillary Clinton’s campaign, he was among the first on the ground, building a dynamic team that eventually grew to 30 field offices and hundreds of organizers and volunteers to mobilize voters across all 100 counties. These experiences underscored the vital role of strong leadership, strategic planning, and relentless effort in creating impactful campaign strategies that drive candidate success.

Participating in a campaign TV interview

Traveling to rallies across North Carolina

At a campaign event with President Clinton

Hosting VP Biden at a Clinton campaign office

Building Policy

Troy’s experience in policy development began in the leadership office of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD), where he was actively involved in significant legislative efforts, including the TARP program and the Affordable Care Act. As a House floor staffer, he gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of congressional operations. Following this, as a presidential appointee in the Obama Administration, he served as a senior adviser in the Office of Financial Stability during the TARP implementation phase. Returning to Capitol Hill as one of the youngest chiefs of staff for Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC), who would become Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Troy provided strategy on a range of areas, including policy development, political engagement, fundraising, and office management, honing his skills in strategic communications and coalition-building. These experiences equip him to help organizations navigate complex policy landscapes and effectively engage with diverse policy stakeholders.

Troy was a staff for both Leader Hoyer (MD) and Chairman Butterfield (NC)

Building Through Tech

Congressman G.K. Butterfield and Rep. Barbara Lee launched CBC TECH 2020 to increase Black representation in the tech industry. As Rep Butterfield’s chief of staff, Troy worked with members and their staff to advance CBC TECH goals through advancing policy goals, executing public relations strategies, and organizing Congressional delegations to Silicon Valley to fostering connections between lawmakers and tech CEOs.

Troy later transitioned to Amazon, where he helped develop public affairs strategies, build partnerships with third-party groups, and served as a liaison to the corporate responsibility team while engaging with Congress on key policy issues. He honed his ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and align corporate initiatives with stakeholder interests.

At Instacart, during its late-stage startup phase, Troy served as head of public engagement, helping to build go-to-market strategies for the launch of initiatives such as Instacart Health and Instacart Business. He collaborated closely with various teams to ensure alignment with the company’s business goals. These experiences have equipped Troy with valuable insights into the business landscape and strengthened his corporate affairs skills, enabling him to assist organizations in effectively navigating complex policy, regulatory, and communications challenges.

Hosting Rep. Steve Horsford at a local Amazon fulfillment center

Testing out a Volocopter at the Consumer Electronics Show

Building for the Future

Strategy HQ

Troy took the lessons he learned from navigating the intersection of business, policy, politics, and third-party engagement to establish Strategy HQ, a catalyst for growth that prepares brands to meet the challenges of tomorrow. His diverse experience has equipped him with a unique perspective on building relationships and driving meaningful initiatives that resonate with a wide range of stakeholders.

At Strategy HQ, our mission is clear: We empower innovators—individuals, organizations, and companies alike—to win the future and leave the world better than we found it. Serving as a vital bridge between brands and their most important stakeholders, from customers to policymakers, we develop tailored strategies that align profit with purpose. If you’re ready to transform your engagement strategy and build authentic connections that will define your future, let’s connect and explore how we can work together to navigate today’s complex landscape.

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