Ron Bilbao is a passionate public affairs professional, civic entrepreneur, and skilled political strategist who has spent two decades making a difference at the intersection of innovation and government. Throughout his career, Ron has served as a trusted advisor to CEOs and C-level executives, mayors and state legislators, and political candidates and campaigns, from local offices to U.S. presidential races.
As Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the City of Miami, Ron oversaw the City’s legislative program and helped guide policy strategy, intergovernmental relations, and the advancement of key mayoral priorities. In that role, he worked across the Mayor’s Office, City Commission, administration, and external partners to move forward initiatives focused on effective governance, resilient infrastructure, economic opportunity, and quality of life for Miami residents.
Most recently, Ron founded CAUSEWAY, a Miami-based advisory firm helping businesses, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations navigate government, build strategic relationships, and unlock opportunities for growth, approvals, partnerships, and public-sector engagement across Miami and South Florida.
In private practice, Ron chaired his firm’s environmental sustainability practice, advising clients on climate, resilience, clean energy, civic innovation, and expanded sustainable transportation innovations. His work helped organizations navigate government, shape policy, secure funding, build partnerships, and scale solutions in complex public-sector environments.
Ron is a proven environmental leader with a strong track record in climate policy, clean energy, and civic innovation. His recent work includes modernizing Miami-Dade County’s seawall regulations, the first updates in over 40 years, to encourage living seawalls and coastal resilience, and championing the County’s first-ever composting regulations to support community-based sustainability solutions. He has advised mission-driven climate tech companies and environmental nonprofits across the country, helping them navigate government and scale their impact.
Ron’s expertise spans climate and sustainability, transportation and mobility, education, healthcare, labor, civil rights, economic opportunity, and public policy innovation. He has worked with some of the nation’s most influential advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Service Employees International Union, and the National Education Association.
Ron graduated with honors in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds advanced certificates in Environmental, Social & Governance and Climate Change from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania and Global Energy & Climate Policy from the University of London.
Colleagues and clients have praised Ron’s skills, compassion, and strategic vision, with one describing him as “a thoughtful strategist, cross-functional bridge-builder, and inspiring storyteller who puts people and purpose at the center of all that he does.”
Recognized for his impact, Ron was named one of Miami’s “Leaders of the Future” by Latino Leaders Magazine and one of the “30-under-30 Rising Stars” by Florida Politics. In 2022, he completed Harvard Kennedy School’s program for senior executives in government alongside elected leaders from across the globe.
Outside of his work, Ron stays active, having completed six full marathons, three two full IRONMAN events. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, Maria, and two huskies, Lola (who passed in 2025), and Roxy (who was born in 2025).
