Alisha Powell Gillis Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Shape event programming to reflect the most pressing government technology issues and cutting-edge innovations Strategically identify and recruit speakers and key attendeesEngage with tech and government leaders online and in personDevelop, maintain, strengthen and build lasting relationships while advocating for SNG brandsOversee the full speaker engagement processManage speakers onsite at events, hosting and connecting speakers and clients

Rosslyn, Va

Work collaboratively with the POLITICO newsroom and editors and the Live team to determine event content that serves the POLITICO audience, including overall topic framing as well specific conversation angles and moderator questions.Develop speaker lists and work with the Live booking team and the newsroom to secure the most high-value, expert and diverse speakers for our events.Work closely with newsroom teams to facilitate coverage, livestreams and social media amplification of individual events.Liaise with POLITICO Live to generate market-ready proposals to help drive new business and work collaboratively to incorporate client ideas while maintaining editorial integrity.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Conceptualized, developed and structured original program content for the publication’s approximately 25 in-person and virtual events with attendance ranging from 100-1000+ attendees Moderated and developed interview questions for panel discussions and one-on-one interviewsCreated an events partner program that expanded our partnership network, enhanced brand awareness and boosted audience registrationSpearheaded the development of our speaker recruitment strategy that has resulted in an increase in high-profile speakers and diversity of speakersCollaborated with the events team on identifying compelling content and event logisticsCollaborated with sales and marketing to identify areas of opportunities for growth, sponsorships and strategic partnershipsDelivered content in line with editorial integrity and standards Served as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and co-chair of the African American Resource Group

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Arranged roundtables, working groups and forums by identifying the content, learning objectives, and expert speakersCoordinated, collaborated, and aligned activities across functions to create innovative content for membersSpearheaded pilot programs with member libraries to develop new models, frameworks, and techniques for the public library field Served on the leadership team and executed actions on behalf of the President and CEO in alignment with organizational priorities Established new partnerships with national organizations to generate awareness and recognition of librariesCreated content for webinars, publications, online toolkits, and conferences that is appealing and innovative for librariesConducted pilot programs with library systems to help them identify innovative approaches and key characteristics of successful programsIdentified critical issues in state and local government and connect library to these prioritiesDeveloped library benchmarks identifying key characteristics and leading practices in areas such as entrepreneurship and digital inclusion to capture the data and outcomes of public libraries and share it with local and state government leadersEngaged national organizations, subject matter experts and key library stakeholders by convening steering and working group conversations to develop frameworksDeveloped national and local recognition for public libraries among government leaders including outreach from ULC to national organizations representing these leaders.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Oversaw all programmatic aspects of NGA’s state assistance on homeland security, emergency management, and resilience;Supported division director in the strategic and day-to-day operational management of the division;Provided strategic direction for the program by identifying issue areas of growth and new products;Built and deepened connections with federal agencies, associations, and corporate partners that lead to the development of strategic partnerships; andManaged a financial portfolio of approximately $2 million which included fundraising, drafting budgets, tracking expenditures, initiating payments, and reporting project milestones to funders Developed the content and secured speakers for governors and state policy makers with attendance ranging from 25-200+ attendees for more than 20 events a year to include the biannual meetings of the Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council. High-profile speaker acquisitions included the White House homeland security and counterterrorism advisor, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation director Developed detailed project production plans and event run-of-show documentsCoordinated with conference management to ensure event operations and logistics ran smoothlyFacilitated discussions among diverse senior state leaders to develop consensus and action- oriented policy solutions Drafted written products for governors’ offices resulting in several briefs for governors and guest media appearances Supervised and mentored junior staff by coaching them on program priorities and supporting their professional development needs

Served as staff director for the Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) ;Planned the agenda, secured speakers, coordinated logistics, and facilitated several meetings and conferences for governors and state policy makers ranging from 50-200 attendees; Researched and wrote issue briefs and memoranda of relevance to governors and their policy staff ;Wrote proposals to fund the activities of the division’s homeland security portfolio of work while managing three six-figure budgets for federal and private grants in compliance with grantor requirements; andRepresented NGA in meetings with legislative offices, federal agencies, nonprofits, and corporate partners

Provided contract support to the Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement; and Reviewed 1,000 security documents to identify opportunities in policy decisions and execution

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as day-to-day operational manager for the Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council;Designed, organized, and participated in and conduct workshops, seminars, meetings and deliver presentations and facilitate panel discussions, and state strategy sessions;Assisted in the design, collection and analysis of information needed to provide high-quality technical assistance to states and produce quality publications;Wrote reports, articles, issue briefs, case studies, guides and memoranda on policy issues and best practices of relevance to governors and their policy staff and other state policymakers;Provided best practice information and technical assistance to governors’ policy advisors and other state policymakers, as well as task forces and other work groups on an occasional basis;Established and maintained relationships with key individuals and groups within and outside NGA to stay current on policy issues and complete projects; andAssisted senior staff in applying for grants, managing budgets, consultants and subcontracts with states and external partners.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided policy analysis and technical assistance for networks of governors’ policy advisors and homeland security executives on a range of homeland security issues; Presented before senior state executives, drafted white papers on best practices, and facilitated panel discussions, state strategy sessions, and other convening's; Worked with senior staff to organize and conduct workshops, conferences, and webinars; Drafted weekly newsletters profiling state best practices;Drafted, edited and proofread correspondence, documents, and reports;Assisted senior staff in project management responsibilities including: adhering to internal and external timelines; ensuring the completion of high-quality deliverables; and engaging with states and external partners; Assisted senior staff in developing new project concepts; and Updated relevant NGA websites and electronic portals as needed.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided administrative and logistical tasks to ensure efficient operation of the division; Supported the division's leadership by organizing, scheduling, and preparing them for appointments;Maintained knowledge of key dates and deliverables for all division projects; Developed an organizational system of tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks and projects that helped streamline the event planning and financial expenses review process; andWrote weekly newsletter articles on state best practices in homeland security and public safety for governors’ offices.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Conducted research and prepared brief reports on political officials and humanitarians; andManaged event planning from start to finish and was chosen to oversee the planning efforts for the inaugural Global Leadership series conversation with Profess Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Master'S Degree, Global Security Studies

Relevant coursework: American National Security, Military Strategy and National Policy, Ruling the 21st Century: Economic Success.

Education record

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Political Science, 3.8 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Vice-President, Enterprise Hall Council; Golden Key Member; Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society.