Helen Tolar Email & Phone Number

Helen Tolar is an attorney and Republican strategist with more than two decades of experience in pivotal roles within and beyond the Capitol dome. As a Principal at Mehlman Consulting, Tolar leverages her extensive network and expertise in legislative process, crisis management and strategic communications, and political operations in fast-paced, demanding environments to deliver outstanding results for clients. Tolar's work with clients spans the aerospace, veterans' healthcare and benefits, small business, technology, retail and agriculture and environment sectors. She brings expertise in building and managing coalitions, advocacy campaigns, and public affairs strategies for clients both large and small. Before her tenure at Mehlman Consulting, Tolar held senior esteemed positions in the House and Senate as well as the private sector. As Chief of Staff to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), she managed operations across eight offices and played a pivotal role in the senator’s historic reelection campaign, during which she collaborated closely with external stakeholders to advance his policy priorities. Additionally, Tolar spearheaded “RAMS,” a prestigious organization comprising Republican Senate and House chiefs of staff. Tolar similarly ran the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where as Majority Staff Director and Chief Counsel, she facilitated bipartisan cooperation during split control of Congress and a Democratic Administration that led to the enactment of policy enhancing veterans' access to health care and earned benefits. Her results earned her recognition as one of "Fourteen Powerful Women on the Hill" by National Journal.Beyond her Capitol Hill tenure, Tolar put her policy acumen to work as Director of Public Policy for South Carolina's largest trade association and with the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina government affairs team. Prior to joining Mehlman Consulting, she lobbied at a leading law firm, advocating for diverse corporate, trade association, and higher education clients.Earlier in her career, Tolar honed her expertise as health policy counsel at the Senate VA Committee and as Legislative Director for then-Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), garnering recognition by stakeholder organizations for her advocacy on behalf of military and veteran communities. She commenced her Capitol Hill journey as a law clerk at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, serving the late Rep. Tillie Fowler (R-FL).