TheBridge profile: Nicole Rivera

Name: Nicole Rivera

Current city: Oakland, CA

Current job: Social Impact, LimeBike

Past job: Government & Community Relations, Business Development, statewide union Political Director, Outreach Manager for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Field Director, Voto Latino, and a multitude of political campaigns

Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Tertulia Coffee and Gallery in Oakland, a great place for coffee and art

Q. Describe one skill you learned in a previous job that helped you in your new job. When I worked for Speaker Nancy Pelosi I learned that having a strong networking skill set matters. Relationships matter, sometimes we are so busy chasing resources that we can forget to honor the relationship. Democratic Leader Pelosi is such a force of power because she never forgets to honor the relationship, she remembers to ask after your children or your partner. The staff still gets handwritten notes of thanks and verbal acknowledgment for a job well done. When she passed the Affordable Care Act, the next day, the office was filled with flowers from people around the nation and organizations who had partnered in the fight. They too recognized and honored their relationship with her and thanked her and her staff for their service to the nation.

Q. Job advice in three words? Use your voice

Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between politics and tech? There have been significant missteps in the tech industry lately and it's very clear to me that a shift in how citizens are feeling is equal to how legislative bodies are starting to look at the industry. I very much believe that in order to bridge the gap between politics and tech, leaders in the tech industry need to recognize that there is tremendous value in proactive engagement and early adoption of social impact. There was a great letter put out by the CEO of BlackRock earlier this year and I would encourage his words to be heeded by the industry.

Q: If you had to live in another city, which would it be? Mexico City

Q: Living person you admire? Nancy Pelosi of course! One of the hardest workers I've ever met. 

Q: Startup to watch? Anyone that is working to give women easier access and control of their reproductive health. 

Q: Best advice you’ve received? Know your worth

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