Ryan Mann, Founder
Headwind Strategies
Ryan Mann has spent nearly two decades at the intersection of government, politics, and policy—advising elected officials, shaping legislative strategy, and helping organizations navigate complex public affairs challenges. His career spans presidential and congressional campaigns, senior roles on Capitol Hill and in city government, state elections administration, and private legal practice at a global law firm.
Ryan founded Headwind Strategies to offer the kind of counsel that's hard to find: direct, experienced, and genuinely invested in each client's success. He works as a trusted advisor rather than a vendor—someone in your corner when the stakes are high, the politics are complicated, or the path forward isn't obvious.
State & Local Government
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Special Counsel, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett
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Chief Policy Officer, City of Indianapolis
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Co-Director, Indiana Election Division
Hands-on experience leading a state agency, navigating executive and legislative leadership, municipal operations, and local political dynamics.
Strategic Communications
Adept at translating legislative jargon and government speak into messages that resonate, and pressing leaders to ditch tired rhetoric and actually say something that lands.
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Speeches, talking points, and press statements
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Testimony and Q&A preparation
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Debate preparation and message testing
Campaigns & Elections
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Presidential: Obama for America, Chris Dodd for President
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Senate: Donnelly for Indiana
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Congressionall: Donnelly (IN-2), Space (OH-18), Carson (IN-7)
From campaign communications, operations, and field work to overseeing state election administration, I understand the world of campaigns and the regulatory environment in which they operate.
Capitol Hill & Federal Government
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Legislative Director, Rep. Joe Donnelly
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Political Designee & Special Asst., Sen. Joe Donnelly
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Government Affairs, Dentons
Deep understanding of how Washington D.C. works: congressional procedure, federal agency engagement, and legislative strategy.
Experience and Expertise
With a career that has touched every level and branch of government, I've learned that
being a generalist is a specialty.