Overview
(December 12, 2025, Washington, DC) — Leslie Belcher, Elizabeth Burks, and Rowan Bost have been named to The Hill's Top Lobbyists 2025 list. Selected from more than 1,800 nominations the lobbyists on this list represent the industry’s savviest, most influential and well-connected advocates across Capitol Hill. The honorees span veterans and up-and-comers, retired military officials and academics, former lawmakers and staffers, and are intended to reflect the wide ranges of experiences and backgrounds of the city's most influential K Street forces.
As Managing Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy at Steptoe, Leslie Belcher, an Oklahoma native, is a power-player and recognized trusted advisor to members of Congress. She offers clients more than 36 years of public and private sector experience, directing government relations campaigns for a variety of clients. Leslie has her finger on the pulse of the House Republican Conference and possesses an extensive knowledge of the legislative process. Her ability to navigate the complex and narrow majority of the GOP Conference, understand intricate policy details, and master the "art of the possible" is unmatched in Washington. Previously, Leslie served as Chief of Staff for Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) (House Appropriations Chair) and Wes Watkins (R-OK), Legislative Director for Rep. Bill Brewster (D-OK), and Appropriations Associate for Rep. Wes Watkins (D-OK). This bipartisan experience provides Leslie with a unique and valuable perspective.
Elizabeth Burks is the lead Democratic lobbyist for Steptoe's clients. She served for almost two decades as a Senate and House staff member, including as Chief of Staff to both Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)–Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and senior member of the Senate Finance and Energy Committees–and Rep. Jim Turner (D-TX), for whom she also served as Legislative Director and Coordinator of the Blue Dog Coalition when Turner served as the Administrative Co-Chair. In her role as Managing Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Elizabeth helps clients navigate government relations and legislative issues impacting their business. She applies her deep understanding of policy and legislative process with keen political savvy and a wealth of strong relationships to accomplish her clients’ goals before Congress and federal agencies. Elizabeth is a tireless advocate on behalf of our clients, who trust her work ethic, her strong attention to detail, and her candid strategic advice.
Rowan Bost brings over a decade of policy experience to a diverse portfolio of clients, including higher education institutions, charitable organizations, trade associations, and corporations. Since joining Steptoe, she has distinguished herself as a trusted voice among the next generation of lobbyists, recognized for delivering measurable results in complex legislative and regulatory environments. Prior to joining Steptoe, Rowan served as a legislative staffer to Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) and managed daily operations for Senator Collins' successful 2020 reelection campaign. A natural problem solver with a deep understanding of the legislative and budget processes, Rowan excels at crafting winning advocacy strategies, raising client visibility, and positioning them as authoritative resources for federal policymakers. Her success reflects a leadership style that blends diplomacy with determination and relationships that span the political spectrum.
Read the full list of Top Lobbyists on The Hill's website.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
