From the Hill to the Agency: Same Work, New Desk

Fresh off maternity leave, I stepped into a new chapter: a VP role at a full-service communications agency after over a decade in politics and after becoming a mom.

The transition between those worlds was intense. Politics moves fast: you're constantly on the go, taking calls at all hours, riding the emotional highs and lows of wins and losses. Then came motherhood, a rhythm not so different, but filled with even more unpredictability, intensity, and purpose. Then, the ultimate challenge: returning to work, in a new job and industry.

The expected challenges? They’re real: leaving my baby for a full day of work after a tearful daycare drop-off, squeezing into old work clothes, and powering through the exhaustion. But the unexpected ones threw me harder: managing mom brain (IYKYK), adapting to new systems, and somehow getting our family out the door on time (without sticky fingerprints on my outfit) – all while trying to show up well.

What’s helped me stay afloat? It’s the same work at a new desk.

Within my first week at Syntax Strategic, I was jumping into media training and crisis scenario planning for clients. It felt like second nature and an echo of prepping former bosses for press conferences: craft a strong message, anticipate tough questions and danger zones, practice your pivots. The fundamentals transfer seamlessly. Bonus: here, I get to do it alongside seasoned former reporters and producers who know exactly what shapes the news.

In government, we were almost always reacting fast with limited prep time. But I was fortunate to work on a few long-lead files where we could plan our approach: confirming approval chains, setting meeting rhythms, creating templated materials – all designed to be adapted in real time. That same strategic thinking powers our crisis communications work at Syntax. Whether it’s pressure-testing an existing client plan or building one from scratch, it’s about readiness.

Because if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Still, moving from government to agency hasn’t been without adjustment.

For one, formality. In government, bullet points for an interview might be texted or tossed into the body of an email – whatever worked fast. In agency, we produce polished, branded client materials with the help of our brilliant design team. Process is another shift. Government has processes, but the pace often forces improvisation. Here, process is non-negotiable. And every client-facing document goes through quality control before it leaves our inboxes to ensure we deliver the highest quality materials. We’re better for it.

And finally, the biggest difference: work-life balance, which CEO Jennifer Stewart protects. The team at Syntax hustles hard, but they also go home to their loved ones, which is a custom and respected right across our team. That was never guaranteed in government, where the hours were endless, and boundaries blurred. As a new mom, I need those boundaries. I want to show up for my daughter and I can do that here with strong support from the Syntax team.

The move wasn’t just about career growth. It was about alignment between who I’ve become and how I want to lead. Despite all the change, I feel right where I’m meant to be, doing the work I love with the best clients and colleagues in the business.