She is the founder and chief executive officer of 3EStrategies, a clean economy consulting firm.
During her time as First Lady, Hayes helped launch the Prosperity Initiative to reduce poverty in Oregon.
She was also an unsuccessful candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives in 2002, running against state representative Ben Westlund.
She is a member of the Democratic Party.In 2005, Hayes was honored as a Top 50 Leader in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine, and in 2006, she was recognized as one of Cascade Business News' "40 under 40." She was also co-chair of the Oregon Renewable Energy Working Group, which developed clean energy standards for the state.In October 2014, the Willamette Week and The Oregonian began to focus on an apparent conflict of interest between Hayes' business interests and her relationship to the governor.
The Oregonian then requested messages from Hayes' personal email accounts relating to state business.
On her personal blog in October 2015, Hayes stated she turned over "every email" requested by federal investigators and accused The Oregonian of using her emails to make false allegations and print misinformation.
Shortly before announcing his resignation in February 2015, Kitzhaber made the announcement that Hayes would no longer be connected to the governorship in any way and would have no political or policy role during his fourth term.