TheBridge profile: Nicola Whiteman
Name: Nicola Whiteman
Current city: Washington, DC
Current job: Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, The Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
Past job: Vice President of Government Affairs, DC, AOBA
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Gregorys Coffee pre-COVID.
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. My attention to detail and organizational skills together with my legal training have been the foundation of my success. As a policy expert juggling numerous issues on any given day, I need to quickly identify and execute solutions often in a rapidly changing legislative and regulatory environment. Being organized helps me, in addition to my other responsibilities, effectively manage a government affairs team that's engaged in the District of Columbia, as well as Maryland, Virginia and their counties and localities.
Q. Job advice in three words? Take a risk.
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? As technology continues to improve business operations and practices for our multifamily and commercial members, we work to help educate lawmakers about the benefits to our members' residents and tenants. We also share how technology can enhance a company's ability to operate in multiple jurisdictions.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? The legislative process is designed to be a deliberative process that allows for consideration of unintended consequences and impact on constituents and stakeholders. While it is not always a fast process, it does provide opportunities for important stakeholder engagement.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Innovators are important partners and can and should play a significant role in educating and informing the public sector about their industries and how those industries are changing.
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? Expect to Win by Carla Harris.
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? Learn to take and embrace the crooked path early in your career. I followed the traditional path early in my career - college, law school then a law firm. I later jumped off the law firm track to work for then DC Councilmember now Chairman Phil Mendelson. That first job in politics put me on the path for an introduction to my first position with AOBA, first as their Vice President of Government Affairs for the DC portfolio before being promoted in 2015 to my current position as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
Q. Living person you admire? Amazon’s Latasha Gillepsie for her inspiring words on the importance of taking more risks and taking a stand to impact your community. Also, HP's Lesley Slaton Brown for her words on being your authentic self and the need to align yourself with a company that embraces your values.
Q. How do you unwind after work? Exercise.
Q. Last time you were completely unplugged? A visit to Grenada.
Q. If you had to live in another city, which would it be? Buzios.
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