Knowledge and know-how—not noise
I’m Kevin Nix and I produce AI-assisted, experience-driven intelligence products for public affairs clients. I focus on strategic communications, public opinion, and policy development.
RESEARCH BRIEFS
AI in Public Affairs Communications: A Practitioner's Guide
Policy people operate in a world of technical words, legal qualifiers, policy speak, and nuance—language that’s not accessible to everyday people. It’s not a good idea to dump data or reams of evidence into the public domain and expect to win people over and mobilize them. You have to tell a story. The human brain is wired for stories. See how AI, under human supervision of course, can ethically help in narrative, brand, and ad development. Learn more.
RESEARCH BRIEF
14 Action Items for Civic Engagement in 2026
With human oversight and political judgment, of course. I use AI tools to help find storylines and narratives that fit overall objectives.
ONLINE COURSE
The Art of Messaging in 2026
While tech and media channels change rapidly, the fundamentals of how to communicate effectively to the public don’t—and won’t–change. (They haven’t changed in 2,000 years.) Being a strong communicator on the public stage is perhaps the most valuable leaders can have today. “The Art of Messaging in 2026” has one goal: to make you a stronger storyteller and external communicator under the glare of the public eye. Refine your skills in a judgment-free space. Learn more.
1:1 COACHING
How to Secure and Shape News Coverage
I help Substackers, YouTubers, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and political people secure and shape news coverage. The information environment has gotten so bonkers and rage-baited that folks are taking a second look at the mainstream press. The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and Gartner are predicting earned media budgets to double by 2027. LLMs are replacing traditional search. Learn more.
About Kevin
Kevin led or managed 10 national and statewide policy communications campaigns (mostly wins) during his time in Washington, D.C. His issue portfolio includes public health, healthcare policy, marriage equality, military policy, veterans, and democracy.
He has worked for powerhouse campaigns and nonprofits, including the Human Rights Campaign and Freedom to Marry. He has also worked in the largest nonprofit public health system in Texas, Legacy Community Health.
Kevin also worked for boutique public affairs firms and currently teaches government and civic engagement at University of Houston.
His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Politico, Wall Street Journal, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Texas Tribune.
Kevin has a Master’s in American Government from Johns Hopkins University; a higher education certification from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center; and Bachelor’s from Tulane University.
“Kevin manages to simultaneously tell your target audience what they want to hear and what you want them to hear. He’s tireless and committed. And his sense of humor never fails.”
— Jay Campbell, Partner, Hart Research
Kevin is “smart…strategic, buttoned up… the kind of guy you want in the fox hole with you.”
— Mark McKinnon, Creator of The Circus
I’m Kevin Nix, and I started Civic Leadership Lab because the civic sector—be it politics, academia, nonprofits, science— must up its game. In 2025, we saw a sizeable portion of the sector deflate or go silent in response to a new president. This is the time when civic-minded leaders flex their power and sustain democracy.
Make your voice not just heard but effective.
Offerings
Leadership & Strategy Consulting
I help leaders in the nonprofit, academic, public health, public policy, civic tech, and social impact sectors with:
Building and projecting power
Elevating innovation and civic entrepreneurship
Expanding their sphere of influence
Winning the message war
Acing a media interview
Upping their fundraising savvy
Navigating prickly politics
Using AI in public interest work
Schedule a 15-minute meet-and-greet to see what your needs are.
“How-to” Memos & Books
We regularly publish “how to” briefing memos and short books on civic leadership, with a focus on strategy and getting results. The newest briefs for 2026 include “Advocacy Communications 101” and “Six Action Items to Battle Authoritarian Creep in the U.S.”
Accelerator Course: “Art of Advocacy”
“The Art of Advocacy” is a four-week virtual course on best practices in political advocacy applied to the civic sector. It’s for students and established leaders who want to up their political game in a nonpartisan way. Walk away with what works, doesn’t work, and could work in today’s chaotic environment.
Subscribe to Kevin’s Substack
Real-time observations and interviews with civic leaders.
