Lotus Advisory supports organizations pursuing transformative change at the intersection of business, government, and community.

Our clients span a range of industries, sectors, and contexts, all united by a desire to achieve positive and lasting impact.

Our specialty is in being “cross-sector athletes” able to develop creative solutions informed by our diverse experiences in business, government, philanthropy, academia, and social enterprise.

We are highly selective in our formal engagements to ensure that we can provide maximum value to our clients and tailor our services to their unique needs, challenges and aspirations.

Our Services

Lotus provides a range of strategic, consulting, and implementation services to a select portfolio of clients.

STRATEGIC ADVISORY

We help you chart a path to success, no matter the obstacles that stand in your way.

LEADERSHIP & EXECUTION

We can step in to any level of your org chart to lead teams and deliver results.

PUBLIC POLICY

We develop innovative solutions to help you navigate and collaborate with government.

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

We dive deep into the data to uncover insights that frame choices and drive performance.

COMMUNICATIONS

We help you tell your story with clarity, authenticity, speed, and strategic discipline.

EXECUTIVE COACHING

We support and accelerate your professional development.

Leadership

Lotus Advisory was founded in 2015 by the brother-sister duo of Kunal and Monisha Merchant.

KUNAL MERCHANT

CO-FOUNDER

Kunal provides strategic, leadership, public policy and communications support to clients in sports, technology, real estate, and social enterprise.

MONISHA MERCHANT

CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

Monisha provides government affairs, executive coaching, and management consulting support to companies and nonprofits.

Sample Client Engagements

Airbnb

public policy

Provided support to Airbnb’s public policy team, crafting fair and reasonable regulations for short-term rentals at local, state, and provincial governments across the U.S. and Canada.

Cal Alumni Association

manager coaching and nonprofit OPERATIONS

Since 2016, providing portfolio of services, including interim-CFO, strategic planning, coaching, and scholarship program development.

CalOZ

Trade Organization Launch and Strategy

Created and led a new nonprofit trade organization dedicated to maximizing the transformative potential of Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) in California.

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

STRATEGY AND POLICY ANALYSIS

Provided strategic advisory, public policy and analytic support to inform the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s work to expand housing affordability in California.

Sacramento Republic FC

MLS Expansion Bid

Served as a top strategist and project manager for Sacramento’s successful bid to secure a new Major League Soccer expansion club and develop a new soccer-specific stadium at the downtown Sacramento Railyards.

Oakland Athletics

MLB ballpark development

Provided strategic advisory, public policy, and communications, and community engagement support to the Oakland Athletics in their pursuit of a new, privately-financed Major League Baseball stadium in Oakland.

MLS2Nashville

Major league soccer expansion bid

Served as a top strategist and project manager for Nashville’s successful - and improbable - 2017 bid to secure a new Major League Soccer expansion club and stadium in Music City.

Sacramento Kings

NEW ARENA DEVELOPMENT

Played a central role in the development and financing of the award-winning $1.5B Golden 1 Center and Downtown Commons project in downtown Sacramento, including development of the project’s labor, community benefits, equity, and sustainability initiatives.

UC Berkeley Division of Equity and Inclusion

facilitation

Organized and facilitated Filipinx Town Hall. Collaborated with student, faculty and staff, and alumni groups. Work products included attendee pre- and post-surveys, breakout group discussions, and summary report.

National Immigration Forum

nonprofit leadership transition and programs

Advised incoming Executive Director and senior management team. Organized foundation-funded naturalization workshops at Silicon Valley companies.

Manufacturer’s Edge

federal public affairs

Developed and executed elected official relationship-building and legislative strategy for Colorado MEP entity, including protecting federal funding targeted to be zeroed out by Heritage Foundation.

State of Colorado

federal funding

Supported state economic development department’s and venture capital authority’s SSBCI submission. Provided analysis of how to attract more SBIC investment in Colorado companies.