Mar 9, 2026
VENTURE Government Strategies Hires Top Democratic Appropriations Aide Ryann Kinney
VENTURE Government Strategies Hires Top Democratic Appropriations Aide Ryann Kinney
Firm also welcomes Republican legislative staffer Hannah So, who brings key Energy & Commerce experience
WASHINGTON, D.C. — VENTURE Government Strategies announced that Ryann Kinney has joined the firm as a Vice President, bringing more than a decade of experience on Capitol Hill and a deep understanding of the appropriations process. As former Director of Member Services for the House Appropriations Committee under Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Ryann has built trusted relationships with Members, senior staff, and committee leadership that will help VENTURE guide its clients through the annual funding process.
VENTURE also announced that Hannah So has joined the firm as a Director, further strengthening its bipartisan roster. So most recently served as Legislative Director to Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) and previously handled energy, healthcare, technology, and elections issues at the House Energy and Commerce and House Administration Committees.
“VENTURE is thrilled to welcome Ryann and Hannah to our growing team,” said Kevin Yoder, Partner at VENTURE Government Strategies. “Ryann’s experience with Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro on the House Appropriations Committee gives her rare insight and expertise into the appropriations process and Member engagement. She will play a key role in strengthening our firm’s Democratic arm. Our team remains fully committed to delivering bipartisan support and helping clients navigate Washington’s complex policy and political challenges.”
Ryann Kinney – Vice President
Ryann Kinney is a public affairs and legislative strategy professional with more than a decade of experience on Capitol Hill, with deep expertise in appropriations, Member engagement, caucus relations, and community project funding initiatives. Most recently, Ryann served as Director of Member Services for the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations under Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro. As the Ranking Member’s principal liaison to Members of Congress, she worked closely with committee leadership and subcommittee staff to translate Member priorities into successful appropriations outcomes. She managed and coordinated Member requests across subcommittees and played a central role in advancing community projects—working directly with Member offices, local governments, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to align district priorities with federal funding opportunities. Previously, Ryann served on Congresswoman DeLauro’s personal staff, where she was a key strategist in the successful effort to secure Chairwoman DeLauro’s leadership of the House Appropriations Committee in the 117th Congress, helping to build and maintain broad coalitions within the House. Ryann brings trusted relationships with Members of Congress, senior staff, committee leadership, and political stakeholders, and a proven ability to navigate the appropriations process to deliver results for clients and communities. Kinney is a graduate of John Carroll University.
Hannah So – Director
Hannah joins the team at VENTURE after serving on Capitol Hill, where she was most recently Legislative Director for Congresswoman Laurel Lee. In that role, she led the development and execution of the Congresswoman’s policy agenda and strategy, and managed the office’s legislative team. Prior to serving as Legislative Director, Hannah advanced quickly through several roles in the legislative track. During her time on the Hill, Hannah managed a diverse policy portfolio including energy, healthcare, and technology issues at the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as elections policy at the House Administration Committee. She regularly prepared and staffed the Congresswoman for high-level hearings and guided legislation through the legislative process, from introduction to committee markup and House passage. In doing so, she built strong working relationships with committee staff and key stakeholders to develop coalitions of support. Hannah is a graduate of Georgetown University.
About VENTURE Government Strategies
Venture Government Strategies (VENTURE) is empowering organizations to navigate the complex landscape where enterprise meets government risk and opportunity. With deep bipartisan expertise and a proven track record of delivering results, VENTURE partners with clients to influence federal policy, build relationships, and drive strategic impact in Washington, D.C.
With a team of former Members of Congress, lawyers, Hill staffers, and policy experts, VENTURE provides clients with unparalleled insight into the federal decision-making process. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services including legislative advocacy, strategic development, risk analysis, and government capital support — helping companies identify funding mechanisms such as federal grants, tax credits, and loan guarantees to advance cutting-edge projects. VENTURE also specializes in relationship building and brand awareness among policymakers, ensuring clients are positioned for long-term success.
Contact: Megan Deusenberry, Vice President of Operations