TheBridge profile: Jermon Bafaty
Name: Jermon Bafaty
Current city: Washington, DC
Current job: White House Fellow - US Department of Energy
Past job: Vice President, Growth - General Dynamics IT
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? The LINE Hotel
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. Learning how to manage and communicate the risk of decisions that you do not agree with, and cannot control.
Q. Job advice in three words? Never. Sacrifice. Integrity
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? I'm focused on leading the deployment of digital solutions that benefit our citizens, while involving a cross-cut of industry, academia and various agencies within in Government. Goal is to democratize the solutions by transferring rights to NGOs, academia, etc. through the implementation of Public-Private partnerships. PPPs will build on the minimum viable products and ensure solutions serve the greater good.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? There are many stakeholders that need to be represented, and there are times where priorities may not align with a specific innovation focus area. In order to get your voice heard, think about how your idea will revolutionize and benefit the national interest. Innovators should be engaged in how our policy making process works and learn how to operate within that construct.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? More of a reminder: Innovation is the lifeblood of our nation. Policymakers need to continue to create policies that foster and embrace outcomes that keep our nation as a leader. Consideration should be given for how to ensure that more innovation is developed in America, while balancing the needs for worldwide collaboration.
Q. Why are you part of TheBridge community? I've been fortunate to work at high levels within business and government. I believe that I can be helpful in communicating the nuances, differences and best areas and approaches for collaboration. Technology is changing the Future of Work-- that said, it will be more important in the near and distant future to ensure that confluence of tech, policy and politics are aligned on how to solve problems that affect our nation.
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? Podcast: Making Sense with Sam Harris
Q. Everyday is probably different, but can you describe a "day in the life" of your job? My days truly do vary. I could be part of an international negotiation team working multilateral agreements with other nations, formulating policy recommendations for principals in Government or driving the completion of national-level AI projects that will provide national benefit.
Q. If you had to live in another city, which would it be? London
Q. Embarrassing work moment? Early in my career, I was sick one afternoon and went home early. After taking Thera-Flu, I fell into a deep sleep and woke up (I thought) at 7:00 the next day -- and late for an important meeting. After calling my boss, and rushing to work, it turns out that I woke up that same evening, and not the next day. Unfortunately for me -- I left a Voice Mail, so the next day... everyone knew what happened.
Q. Living person you admire? Trevor Noah
Click below to join TheBridge community and, among other resources, receive our bi-weekly updates with featured profiles.