TheBridge profile: Emily Pierce
Name: Emily Pierce
Current city: Washington, D.C.
Current job: Senior Vice President at Vrge Strategies
Past job: Acting Director of Public Affairs & Principal Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of Justice, Deputy Editor/Senate and House Editor for Roll Call
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Peet’s (across the street)
Q. Describe one way how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your new job. As a journalist covering Congress for many years, I learned how to ask tough questions and to anticipate what the other side of an argument might say. That skill has paid dividends as I advise clients now on navigating tricky policy fights and how to respond to the tough questions reporters throw at them.
Q. Job advice in three words? Be detail-oriented.
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between politics and tech? At Vrge, we pride ourselves on being bilingual, in that we speak the language of both tech and policy. Our success is built on our ability to translate for each side the priorities and goals of the other and create a productive dialogue about the pressing issues for both the tech industry and Washington.
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? The ability to conduct a competent Google search.
Q. Living person you admire? Dolly Parton – Not only do I love her songs and her rags-to-riches backstory, but she is a savvy businesswoman who has maintained her brand for decades.
Q. Last time you were completely unplugged? Just two hours outside of DC, there is a place called Capon Springs, West Virginia. It’s a beautiful mountain resort. And there is no cell service.
Q. How do you unwind after work? With a glass of wine and the Food Network.
Like TheBridge profiles? Sign up for our email update on Tues & Thurs. SIGN UP HERE!