Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Alexandra (Allie) Medack
Fall 2010 Archer Fellow
Internship: Department of State, Near Eastern Affairs Bureau
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.A. Plan II Honors, B.A. Middle Eastern Studies, B.A. Arabic; May 2012
Career
Chief of Staff for Global Public Policy at General Motors
Fall 2010 Archer Fellow
Internship: Department of State, Near Eastern Affairs Bureau
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
B.A. Plan II Honors, B.A. Middle Eastern Studies, B.A. Arabic; May 2012
Career
Chief of Staff for Global Public Policy at General Motors
““Networking” is a quintessential D.C. term—and my Archer Fellow relationships have certainly helped me meet new people here—but the network I’m talking about here is more broad than that. My cohort of Archer Fellowship Program participants—whether they are now in D.C., New York, Dallas, or San Francisco—exposed me to new ideas, new perspectives, new ways of approaching issues. In short, they made me a better and more well-rounded person. And they still do today. I regularly connect with—and learn from—so many Archer Fellows."
Q & A with Allie
Please tell us more about your current position.
As a direct report to the general counsel and executive vice president for Law and Policy, I help coordinate and execute General Motor’s global policy strategy. That can mean different things on different days—from writing policy remarks for our CEO and monthly updates for our Board of Directors to explaining General Motors’ plan for the future of mobility and local workforce development initiatives to policymakers, both in the U.S. and abroad. I feel fortunate to work at the always interesting intersection of the public and private sectors. There's certainly never a dull moment!
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
As a member of the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs Press and Public Diplomacy team, I helped craft our country’s strategic communications and public outreach to the Middle East. I worked with functions across the department and various agencies to develop daily talking points for the State Department spokesman and monitored media reports and inquiries for consistency of message. One of my highlights was writing a statement for then-Secretary Hillary Clinton, which she later turned into a video message!
What has been your general career path?
After graduating, I worked at a consulting firm in Austin before moving to D.C. to work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. That mix of public and private sector experience showed me that what I was truly interested in was working for a multinational company, helping translate business interests into smart policy.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
The path to professional success always looks like a straight line from the outside, but in reality, it's filled with twists and turns. Being an Archer Fellow gave me a broad network of people from multiple career paths and industries whom I could ask for advice and perspective. Growing up in small town Texas, I didn't know much about the "big city" before heading to D.C. The Archer Center helped me establish my footing and explore all the wonderful opportunities this city has to offer.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The Archer Fellowship helped me develop a network of other smart, inspiring and interesting people my age. “Networking” is a quintessential D.C. term—and my Archer Fellow relationships have certainly helped me meet new people here—but the network I’m talking about here is more broad than that. My cohort of Archer Fellowship Program participants—whether they are now in D.C., New York, Dallas, or San Francisco—exposed me to new ideas, new perspectives, new ways of approaching issues. In short, they made me a better and more well-rounded person. And they still do today. I regularly connect with—and learn from--so many Archer Fellows.
What do you value the most about being an alumna?
After every coffee or informational interview, each person I met with said the same thing: “In a few years, you will be the one asked for advice. Always say yes to meeting with people.” What I value the most about being an Archer Fellow alumna is the chance to give back and mentor the current participants. I am here today because the Archer Center and its alumni took the time to meet with me, mentor me and help me develop professionally. It’s a joy to play that role for the new Archer Fellow classes!
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
It is so hard to choose one memory, but if I had to pick it would be our class excursion to the French Embassy’s La Grand Fete—a huge party at the embassy celebrating Francophone culture (complete with almost every French speaking country in the world serving a full meal of their local specialties). From practicing our less-than-magnifique French to playing drums with the Finance Minister of Benin, that night gave us the chance to dress up and experience what is truly an event only D.C. could offer!
Please tell us more about your current position.
As a direct report to the general counsel and executive vice president for Law and Policy, I help coordinate and execute General Motor’s global policy strategy. That can mean different things on different days—from writing policy remarks for our CEO and monthly updates for our Board of Directors to explaining General Motors’ plan for the future of mobility and local workforce development initiatives to policymakers, both in the U.S. and abroad. I feel fortunate to work at the always interesting intersection of the public and private sectors. There's certainly never a dull moment!
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
As a member of the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs Press and Public Diplomacy team, I helped craft our country’s strategic communications and public outreach to the Middle East. I worked with functions across the department and various agencies to develop daily talking points for the State Department spokesman and monitored media reports and inquiries for consistency of message. One of my highlights was writing a statement for then-Secretary Hillary Clinton, which she later turned into a video message!
What has been your general career path?
After graduating, I worked at a consulting firm in Austin before moving to D.C. to work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. That mix of public and private sector experience showed me that what I was truly interested in was working for a multinational company, helping translate business interests into smart policy.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
The path to professional success always looks like a straight line from the outside, but in reality, it's filled with twists and turns. Being an Archer Fellow gave me a broad network of people from multiple career paths and industries whom I could ask for advice and perspective. Growing up in small town Texas, I didn't know much about the "big city" before heading to D.C. The Archer Center helped me establish my footing and explore all the wonderful opportunities this city has to offer.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The Archer Fellowship helped me develop a network of other smart, inspiring and interesting people my age. “Networking” is a quintessential D.C. term—and my Archer Fellow relationships have certainly helped me meet new people here—but the network I’m talking about here is more broad than that. My cohort of Archer Fellowship Program participants—whether they are now in D.C., New York, Dallas, or San Francisco—exposed me to new ideas, new perspectives, new ways of approaching issues. In short, they made me a better and more well-rounded person. And they still do today. I regularly connect with—and learn from--so many Archer Fellows.
What do you value the most about being an alumna?
After every coffee or informational interview, each person I met with said the same thing: “In a few years, you will be the one asked for advice. Always say yes to meeting with people.” What I value the most about being an Archer Fellow alumna is the chance to give back and mentor the current participants. I am here today because the Archer Center and its alumni took the time to meet with me, mentor me and help me develop professionally. It’s a joy to play that role for the new Archer Fellow classes!
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
It is so hard to choose one memory, but if I had to pick it would be our class excursion to the French Embassy’s La Grand Fete—a huge party at the embassy celebrating Francophone culture (complete with almost every French speaking country in the world serving a full meal of their local specialties). From practicing our less-than-magnifique French to playing drums with the Finance Minister of Benin, that night gave us the chance to dress up and experience what is truly an event only D.C. could offer!
