Kim McDougal*

Go-to education lobbyist committed to creating lasting impact and meaningful change in the lives of students and people with disabilities. Known throughout Florida for nearly three decades of servant leadership within the executive and legislative branches.

Kim McDougal, Ph.D. is regarded by clients and colleagues alike as one of the top education lobbyists and consultants in Florida. She collaborates with state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, industry associations, and major corporations adjacent to the education sector in the areas of funding and appropriations, legislative advancement, and business development. Her immersive career and decades of changemaking experience covers the spectrum of K-20 education, as well as community human services and the critical funding that supports vital programs and offerings. Notable client relationships include several school districts, universities and colleges, and state association groups.

A loyal and passionate advocate, Kim helps clients navigate the state budget development, review, and recommendation process. She works to raise awareness, amplify voice, and advocate for appropriations and policy that serve immediate client needs and long-term objectives. Her valuable dual perspective and insider knowledge provide the foundation for long-standing client relationships built on trust and mutual understanding. Grounded by more than thirty years of experience in the education field, she helps create possibilities, cultivate conditions for growth, and build resilience to change - bill by bill, budget by budget, line item by line item.

Kim collaborates frequently with her colleagues in the government affairs and lobbying practice to deliver the diverse expertise necessary for meaningful client engagements. In addition to her lobbying and consulting endeavors, Kim is guided to serve the community in which she and her clients operate, honoring the known-for tradition of service at GrayRobinson.

Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Kim served as chief of staff to Florida Governor Rick Scott, where she was responsible for directly serving and advising the Governor on issues pertaining to 100,000+ executive branch employees and administering an $83 billion state budget. She also served as Governor Scott’s deputy chief of staff, legislative affairs director, education policy coordinator, and as policy advisor during his successful re-election campaign. Kim has served as a senior advisor or in a leadership role for many of Florida’s Commissioners of Education, including Florida’s first appointed Commissioner Jim Horne. She also served in several roles under the Governor Jeb Bush Administration within the Executive Office of the Governor, including education policy coordinator in the Office of Policy and Budget. 

* Denotes non-attorney professional  

• Notable Work
  • Helped secure over $36 million for a new middle/high school for the Levy County School District
  • Helped amend tax-related legislation to save client $17 million
  • Helped secure legislation to create a military family-friendly school designation program
  • Helped secure funding for a panic alert system for K-12 students
  • Helped secure over $13 million for a new health science center at a Florida state college
  • Helped pass legislation to expedite the service of lifesaving domestic violence injunctions
  • Helped secure state funding for local economic development projects throughout Florida
  • Helped secure over $400 million in funding for local agencies that provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities and autism, as well as legally blind Floridians
• Insights
  • “GrayRobinson 2022 Legislative Session Wrap-Up,” Tampa, April 19, 2022
  • Florida School Boards Association Annual Day in the Legislature, February 2, 2022
  • "2021 Legislative Session Review," Florida School Boards Association/Florida Association of District School Superintendents Annual Summer Conference, June 11, 2021
  • Florida School Boards Association Annual Day in the Legislature, March 5, 2021
  • "Recapping One of the Most Historic Elections in the History of the United States," November 12, 2020
  • "Legislative Session and Legislative Budget Request Process," Florida School Boards Association, September 2020
  • "Who's in and Who's Out?" Post-Election Pop-Up Forum, August 19, 2020
  • "The Appointments Process," Central Florida Political Leadership Institute, Orlando Economic Partnership, August 13, 2020
  • Moderator, "Kitchen Table Talk on Reopening Florida Schools,” GrayRobinson COVID-19 Virtual Pop-up Forum, June 18, 2020
  • COVID-19 Task Force Insight: Reopening Florida's Schools, June 16, 2020
  • “2020 Legislative Session Wrap Up,” Florida School Boards Association, April 1, 2020
  • Florida Commission on the Status of Women, 2020 LEAD Summit Speaker, March 2020
  • "Advocacy 101," Florida Nurses’ Association Advocacy Days, January 22, 2020
  • "Election Laws for 2020 Legislative Session," Florida School Boards Association, December 4, 2019
  • Central Florida Political Leadership Institute, Orlando Economic Partnership, August 2019
  • "Getting the Most from Your City’s Contract Lobbyist," FLCities 93rd Annual Conference, August 15-17, 2019
  • "2019 Florida Legislative Review," Jacksonville Session Wrap Up, May 13, 2019
  • "Questions for the Governor’s Office,” Florida State University class Florida Legislative Practice: From Bill Drafting to the Governor's Desk, April 10, 2019
  • "Advocacy 101," Florida Nurses’ Association Advocacy Days, March 13, 2019
  • GrayRobinson Government Affairs and Lobbying Insight: First Steps Taken in the DeSantis Education Plan, February 7, 2019
  • "Current Education and Political Issues," Florida School Board Association Meeting, November 28, 2018
  • State and Federal Appropriations Presentation “Bringing Home the Bacon," Florida League of Cities, November 15, 2018
  • "Executive Branch Insight—Pulling Back the Curtain," Florida Agency of Professional Lobbyist (FAPL) Retreat, September 5-7, 2018
  • "Facility Security Projects and Emergency Preparedness," Florida School Board Association Summer Conference, 2018
  • "Building the Foundation for Successful Legislative Advocacy," Florida School Board Association Summer Conference, 2018
  • "2018 Florida Legislative Review," Miami Session Wrap Up, April 10, 2018
  • "In Focus: Session 2018," Pensacola Chamber Gopher Club Breakfast, April 6, 2018
  • "Constitution Revision Commission," The Florida Bar's Education Law Committee Meeting, January 19, 2018
  • "Constitution Revision Commission," Florida School Board Association Conference, November 29, 2017
• Media
  • "Leadership Florida Selects its 2023-2024 Education Class," Leadership Florida, June 22, 2023
• Affiliations
  • Association of Florida Colleges (AFC), January 2019-present
    • Education and Workforce Development, December 2018-January 2019
  • Florida Association of Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR), January 2019
  • Florida Sports Foundation, Board of Directors, December 2018-2023
  • Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists
    • Designated Professional Lobbyist
    • Board of Directors, 2021-2022
  • Florida Education Legislative Liaisons
    • Board of Directors, 2021-2024
  • Governor-Elect Ron DeSantis’ Transition Advisory Committee
  • Leadership Florida, Education Class 8
  • Orlando Economic Development Council
    • Political Leadership Institute Class, November 2018
• Credentials
  • Ph.D., Florida State University, 1991
  • M.S., Florida State University, 1985
  • B.S., Tulane University, 1984