Jessica Lawrence provides the Podesta Group’s international, defense, appropriations and energy security clients with sound strategic guidance. Her work at the firm is informed by significant Hill experience in both the House and the Senate and at the State Department. That experience was put to use when Jessica worked with a Podesta Group client to develop an international advocacy organization that has helped change perceptions on Capitol Hill of an ethnic minority.As senior policy adviser for Rep.Albio Sires (D-NJ), Jessica assisted the congressman’s work on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, including the subcommittees on Europe, Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment. She also worked on appropriations and authorizations for defense, foreign operations, homeland security, and military construction and veterans’ affairs. Earlier in her career on Capitol Hill, she worked for two members of the appropriations committees, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ). As a researcher and writer for the Citizens Development Corps, Jessica assisted a leading international energy company on a development project in Angola. At the Department of State, she covered African issues for the department’s wire service, Washington File. Fluent in French and conversant in Spanish, Jessica is pursuing a master’s in global security studies at Johns Hopkins University. She has served as co-director of events and activities for the Women’s Congressional Staff Association and as a tutor and mentor for high school students through the College Bound program.A native of Vancouver, Washington, she has a bachelor's from the University of Washington and an MA from Johns Hopkins University.
