Indigo Hill Strategies Turns One: Lessons from a CEO and a Kindergarten Mom

By Ryann Hill, MPH

This week marks two milestones in my life. My oldest son started kindergarten, and Indigo Hill Strategies turned one. Lots of happy tears over here. Both milestones reminded me that growth is as emotional as it is exciting.

Launching Indigo Hill Strategies was a leap of faith. One year later, I’m still pinching myself that this little dream of mine has grown into a real business making real impact.

The Vision

When I launched Indigo Hill, my goal was clear: to use policy as a tool to improve lives. I wanted to build a firm that paired deep expertise in healthcare, aging, and disability with a people-first approach that makes clients not just heard, but truly influential.

And honestly, I also wanted to prove to myself (and maybe a few others) that I could build something of my own. That I could step away from the big title roles, start fresh, and still thrive.

The Work We’ve Done

In just twelve months, we’ve had the privilege of:

• Supporting national coalitions and nonprofits in shaping federal policy.

• Helping advocates prepare for Hill Days, hearings, and key meetings.

• Drafting comment letters, policy roadmaps, and strategic analyses that drive impact.

• Launching newsletters and tools to keep clients ahead of fast-moving developments.

• Building new champions on Capitol Hill and strengthening the voices of communities that deserve to be heard.

Sometimes I still laugh when I think back to the early days: just me, my laptop, and a vision board. That feels both surreal and deeply gratifying.

Lessons from Year One

• Faith and risk are worth it. Walking away from certainty to bet on myself was terrifying. Without my faith, I never would have taken the leap. Trusting that God had placed this vision on my heart gave me the courage to move forward when the safer choice would have been to stay put. It has been a reminder that faith and risk often go hand in hand, and that is where the magic happens.

  
  

• Community matters. This journey has not been a solo act. From clients to mentors to my ride-or-die friends who let me talk policy over dinner, it is the people who have carried Indigo Hill forward. I am especially grateful to my team, who trusted me, trusted my vision, and chose to build with me in this first year.

  
  

• Balance is a practice. Running a firm while raising two little boys means some days I feel like Superwoman and other days like a hot mess. The trick is giving myself grace and remembering that balance is not about perfection, it is about showing up, trying again, and savoring the moments that matter.

Looking Ahead

Year two is about growth with intention. Expanding our client base, deepening partnerships, and continuing to shape policy in healthcare, aging, and disability. And also making sure I keep space for the things that matter most: family dinners, morning walks, and the occasional self-care splurge (because your girl has earned it).