TheBridge profile: Hope Goins

Name: Hope Goins

Current city: Washington, D.C.

Current job: Staff Director U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security

Past job: Subcommittee Staff Director and Counsel on U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

Q. How are you bridging the gap between innovation and regulation, currently? Through working with Members of Congress on meaningful and well thought out legislation, I assist in advancing policy that benefits Americans throughout the nation. When I am in the legislative drafting stage or speaking with an executive branch agency about policy, I ensure that I keep the perspective of both urban and rural America in mind. Additionally, I mentor and encourage women to enter the field either as practitioners or policymakers or innovators.

Q. Job advice in three words? Open your mind

Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Innovators can learn that policymakers generally look at their decisions from the lenses of the communities they represent.

Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Policymakers can learn that they are a lot like innovators. They are both problem solvers and have to use alternative ways of thinking to achieve their goals.

Q. Can you describe a skill you have carried throughout your career that has always proved to be valuable? When I come to the table, I try very hard to put myself in the shoes of everyone around the table and whoever is on the menu. Consequently, I think about the people that will be affected, the innovator, and the other policymakers at the table.

Q. What is the best job interview question you have ever been asked? I'm usually the one asking the questions. My go to question is, "how would your current boss describe you to me?"

Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? The Village DC 1272 5th Street NE

Q. Favorite book you recommend? The Adventures of Chloe and Chris The Three Branches of Government is my favorite book at the moment. I highly recommend it. It's a children's book that uses the virtue of balance to teach families about the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government. I'm the author!

Q. Why are you part of TheBridge community? Why do you think it's important this community exists for tech, policy and political professionals? This community is so important. Once the professionals know that their work can be better advanced if they are not in a silo, they will see that innovative concepts and ideas can come to fruition and exist quicker and easier.

Q. Everyday is probably different, but are there certain skills you think are essential to your job each day? Listening is so essential to my job. Also, thinking outside of the box and finding ways to get to yes, are essential as well.

Q. What would you tell the younger Hope just starting out in her career? I would tell myself in the beginning of my career that life is not linear and that it is ok not to have a detailed career plan. I used to get so discouraged when I could not articulate my next when I would see so many people seemingly living by a strict timeline. I've now embraced the unknown.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best and most fulfilling advice I have received is to always bring someone else along. I get great joy by creating opportunities for those around me to shine. Someone else's shine will never dim my light; as a matter of fact, it will enhance me.

Q. How do you unwind after work? I unwind after work by riding my Peloton. I really have fallen for Lanebreak and play it all the time.

Also, many people do not know this about me, but I am an avid Barbie doll collector. I have the entire Inspiring Women's series as well as the Byron Lars Runway Collection dolls. I also have every Holiday Barbie from 1995-2022

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