March112013
What does it take to rise to the top in government? Reta Jo Lewis Explains.
What does it take to rise to the top in the government?
For the inside scoop, we sat down with Reta Jo Lewis and Shoshana Grove—the leaders of Executive Women in Government (EWG).
Founded in 1974, EWG includes hundreds of women executives who serve in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
Prior to taking a top job at the State Department in the Obama administration, Reta Jo Lewis (pictured here) was vice president and counselor to the president at the US Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation.
She also served as a policy expert on domestic and international issues affecting small businesses. And, she worked in the Clinton White House from 1993-1995. As special assistant to the president for political affairs, she was the senior domestic political advisor for the Summit of the Americas held in Miami, Florida. In addition, she was the principal staff coordinator for the White House Task Forces on the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Paralympics Games, and the 1994 FIFA World Cup of Soccer.
Lewis also has served as a partner at an international law firm and as an attorney-advisor. She represented the City and County of Denver and Mayor Wellington Webb on international issues. She served as the city’s principal liaison to the US government when Denver hosted the 1997 G-8 Summit and the Summit of African Leaders that preceded the G-8. Since January 2010, she has been the State Department’s special representative for global intergovernmental affairs.
Shoshana Grove (pictured right) is the VP of Executive Women in Government, who by day heads the Office of Secretary & Administration for the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Prior to assuming her current role, Grove was manager of Ground Products at the US Postal Service, where she managed relationships with some of the Postal Service’s largest mailers and business partners and was instrumental in developing and marketing strategic initiatives, such as the Priority Mail Flat Rate Box, Online Notification of Carrier Pickup, and Click-N-Ship.
So how did these ladies rise to the top—and how can you take a page from their playbook?
In this podcast interview we discuss the 10 tips you need to have a successful career in government, including:
- Why having a strategic plan is key.
- Why your network will guide you to the top.
- Why you need to be willing to relocate—to another agency, and another city or country.
- Why doing your homework doesn’t stop when you get that college degree, and more.
Download the podcast with Grove and Lewis, at right.
