Empowering clients through advocacy and meaningful connections.

At Lightpath Advisory, our mission is to empower clients to confidently advocate for their vision and build influential relationships. Through strategic guidance and insight, we help leaders navigate complexity and strengthen their own voice in the conversations that matter.

What we do

  • We help guide you through the intricate landscape of government decision-making and are experts in highly-regulated environments across multiple sectors.

    We offer strategic counsel and develop engagement strategies tailored to your objectives. We deliver comprehensive issues monitoring, detailed engagement and advocacy plans that effectively resonate across the entire political spectrum, and preparation for parliamentary engagement.

    Working with us, you will be able to successfully navigate highly-regulated environments, influence policy outcomes, and build constructive relationships with key government stakeholders.

  • Enduring success hinges not just on sharp strategy, but on trusted relationships. Long-term engagement with decision makers and influencers is a strategic imperative.

    We help you create a strategic narrative that resonates with all stakeholders. We aim to unify and align audiences, shaping perceptions and fostering trust over the long term to bring a wider voice to advocacy.

    We help you build and nurture key relationships with decision makers and influencers. These relationships support the advancement of shared objectives and help you anticipate and respond to shifts in the operating environment.

    We recommend an approach that is proactive and serves as a foundation for trusted, sustained influence and lasting impact.

  • We provide short-term advice and support on a range of issues such as policy submissions, meeting briefs and parliamentary appearances.

    We also have extensive experience with crisis management on major issues.

Who we are

James Toole is a seasoned Government Relations and Strategic Policy leader with over 15 years’ experience spanning the Australian Public Service, ministerial advisory roles, and senior corporate positions. Known for his ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, James has consistently delivered commercially impactful outcomes for major organisations operating in highly-regulated sectors.

He has advised CEOs of some of the biggest companies in Australia, created high performing teams, led high stakes negotiations with government and regulators, and shaped strategic operating environments across critical issues, including during major crises. He has set the political and policy advocacy strategy for Australia’s two largest telcos, including as Head of Government Relations at Telstra.

James is known for his strategic clarity, stakeholder fluency, and ability to translate policy into actionable business strategy. He thrives in high-pressure environments where reputation, risk, and opportunity intersect.