Heather Stewart
“I pursued a career in tech policy to help bridge gaps between people, technology, and the systems and businesses that impact them. Effectively advocating for clients means working across the aisle and with stakeholders who have a broad range of viewpoints.”
What do you do professionally?
I’m the co-founder and Managing Director of Red Maple Strategies, a public strategies firm that helps hyper-growth companies solve complex regulatory challenges and grow their businesses.
Tell me about your path to get where you are today. How did you get into that type of work?
I come from a very practical, service-oriented family. My dad was an elementary school principal, and we have plenty of educators, folks in medicine, social work, etc. in the family. Through their examples, I concluded that the purpose of life (at least for me), is to serve others.
By the time I hit late elementary school, it was clear that broad internet access and technology advancements were dramatically impacting society. Around that time, some of my Dad’s service work was bumping up against systems that weren’t working well for the lower income students and families in his rural school district. Pursuing a career at the intersection of people, tech, and policy seemed like a way to bridge gaps between people, technology, and the systems and businesses that impact them. That led to an undergraduate degree in political science and business, a master’s in public policy with a focus on technology, then a career in tech policy.
What is your professional superpower?
Helping people find common ground and getting to solutions that leave each party better off.
How has that superpower contributed to your professional success?
Effectively advocating for clients means working across the aisle and with stakeholders who have a broad range of viewpoints. Compromise is necessary in most cases. It’s done best when you’ve done your homework before approaching others and genuinely seek to understand the people on the other side of an issue. This approach generally serves our clients well.
If I were to ask your clients, manager, employees, etc. what it’s like to work with you, what would they say?
I hope they’d say I care deeply about the people and causes we get behind, and that I take the time to understand their objectives, then empower the team to execute well and get the results we’re seeking.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Completing grad school with a baby and minimal support was probably most challenging. It’s something I’m proud of because it set the stage for the life we now have.
Describe the business impact you’ve driven for your clients or organization.
I’ve led major projects, initiatives, business development, and policy work on behalf of clients and companies where I’ve worked. A few of those were the “bet the company”- type issues. To date, I’m thankful they’ve gone our way.
What person or organization do you most admire professionally and why?
There are a handful. Professor Bill Covington from UW’s School of Law immediately comes to mind. I’ve learned a lot from him both personally and professionally. He leads by example, and from him I learned to operate with integrity, seek out and engage folks with a broad range of viewpoints, and communicate effectively.
In what ways are diverse perspectives good for business?
By intentionally incorporating folks with a range of geographical, racial, religious, economic, occupational, and political backgrounds into all areas of your business, you anticipate and solve for potential product gaps, and connect and empathize more effectively with your target audiences.
Contact Heather
LinkedIn Website Email: heather (at) redmaplestrategies (dot) com
Email hello (at) trovecommunity (dot) com or contact us for an introduction.
