Women’s History Month Spotlight on TZG’s Executive VP Beth Dohm
“We’re always reinforcing the importance of taking initiative, owning your work, and anticipating what’s next. That’s what separates great lobbyists from the rest.”
For Beth Dohm, The Zita Group’s Executive VP, those values were ingrained long before she stepped into the world of lobbying. Growing up in Bergen County in a civically engaged household, she learned early on that government isn’t just a system—it’s a force for meaningful change. “We always had lively discussions about politics,” she recalls. “My parents instilled in me how important it is to vote and be engaged.”
That passion only deepened when she landed a high school internship that introduced her to influential women like former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Hackensack’s Democratic Municipal Chair, Lynne Hurwitz. “They taught me the value of working hard and constituent service. They really believed that politics was a force of good, and government is there to help people who are less fortunate.” says Dohm. She still carries that belief forward today as a member of the Hamilton Township Economic Development Advisory Commission, where she promotes business development and enhancing the township’s economic growth.
After graduating from Rutgers University with a political science degree, Dohm took on a role as a legislative aide in the NJ State Senate. “At the time, I was very proud to serve as a legislative aide and becoming a lobbyist felt like a natural next step,” she says. “What I didn’t realize was just how different lobbying is—it’s a challenging business.”
“The biggest shift,” she explains, “is in access and influence. When you’re in government, you’re part of the system—your calls get answered quickly, and you have a front-row seat to the legislative process. As a lobbyist, first you have to build relationships and earn trust to make sure your clients’ issues get heard.”
She recently saw this in action while working alongside Ed McGlynn to pass critical legislation for TZG’s client, Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), after the NJ Board of Pharmacy had taken an adverse action that threatened their in-house pharmacy operations. In response, TZG quickly secured a group of bipartisan sponsors who introduced legislation to protect their client’s license and ensure that cancer patients could receive their medications without delays or barriers.
“It took some time, and we had to get the administration on board,” Dohm explains. “We worked closely with the Attorney General’s Office, the Division of Consumer Affairs and the legislature to make it happen.”
On May 3, 2024, Bill A-4447 was introduced. Less than six months later, it passed unanimously in both Houses and was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on October 30, 2024.
Dohm’s lobbying career really took off when Weinberg introduced her to Adam Kaufman and Capital Public Affairs. “[Kaufman] was a tremendous role model for me. He taught me everything about lobbying, client management and the political landscape.”
Dohm quickly learned that lobbying is a long game—one that requires patience and the ability to navigate setbacks. This lesson would help her in the future when she and her colleague Christopher Hughes worked to secure a budget line item for regional health insurance funds to reimburse COVID-related costs. “We had to push through another budget cycle, navigate competing priorities, and keep advocating. When it finally passed, it was a major win because securing budget funding is no small task.”
By 2020, Dohm had stepped into a leadership role as one of The Zita Group’s Executive Vice Presidents. “Trish [Zita, founder of The Zita Group] saw my dedication, judgment and experience and tapped me for an executive role to help take the business to the next level,” she says.
Dohm’s impact is evident in her work on legislative initiatives, particularly in healthcare policy. In 2021, she helped pass A-5222/S-3306, a law that allowed optometrists to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines to adults—making immunization more accessible across NJ. “Scope of practice bills are probably one of the most challenging issues because the legislature often doesn’t want to get in the middle of a turf battle,” she explains. “You’ve got this group of professionals saying one thing, and the other says another.” Her advocacy in the field was recognized when the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP) honored her with the 2024 Public Service Award for her contributions to the visual welfare of New Jersey residents in the state.
Beyond policy, Dohm is passionate about shaping the future of the industry. “We have more lobbyists than ever before and have taken on new industries. I love making sure our team feels seen, heard, and supported.” Mentorship has become a major part of that mission, and she works closely with TZG’s junior lobbyists to help them grow. “We make it a priority [at TZG] to coach and mentor younger professionals,” she says.
But for Dohm, the best part of the job has always been the people. “We’ve had big names join us over the years, but no one’s ever come in with a big ego. Everyone is a team player, focused on getting the work done and supporting each other. That’s what I love most about this firm. There’s no other group I’d rather be a part of.”
About The Zita Group
The Zita Group is a woman-owned government and public affairs firm, both founded and led by Patrizia “Trish” Zita. Our bipartisan, experienced team of strategic consultants is widely respected by elected, appointed and government officials of both parties across New Jersey’s political landscape. We provide our clients unique insights into the decision-making process at the highest levels. We bring to bear credible working relationships with executive branch officials, legislators, and staff. Our team’s effectiveness has been demonstrated again and again by the results we achieve for our clients.
