Kelly Ann Shaw Again Recognized Among Washingtonian’s 2026 ‘Most Powerful Women in Washington’

Kelly Ann Shaw, a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld focusing on lobbying and public policy, has been named to Washingtonian magazine's 2026 list of "Most Powerful Women in Washington" for the second consecutive year. The recognition places Shaw among the most influential women in the nation's capital shaping policy, business, and civic outcomes across multiple sectors.

Shaw's inclusion on the list reflects her substantive background as a former senior trade official in the Trump administration, a role that positioned her as an architect of U.S. trade policy and regulatory frameworks. Her current work at Akin leverages this government experience in the private sector, where she advises clients navigating complex trade, tariffs, and regulatory environments. This combination of executive branch tenure and private-sector lobbying practice is a valued credential among institutional investors evaluating policy risk and regulatory exposure.

The Washingtonian recognition encompasses influential women across government, business, the arts, law, media, education, and nonprofits. Shaw's placement within the lobbying, advocacy, and think tank category highlights the enduring market value of government affairs expertise, particularly in trade and international commerce—areas of sustained focus for institutional investors managing exposure to tariff policy, supply chain regulation, and bilateral trade agreements.