About the political professional network

Your Experience Is Her Roadmap

At IGNITE, we believe a person’s proximity to social problems should be criteria for their proximity to power. Young women who have lived closest to those problems are ready to lead. But the path into politics and policy is rarely written down. It runs through who you know, who vouches for you, and who shows you how things really work.

You’ve already traveled that path. Maybe you knocked on doors for a campaign, drafted legislation as a legislative aide, ran an elected official’s office as chief of staff, or built a policy agenda at a nonprofit. Along the way, you learned the skills, relationships, and unwritten rules that no classroom teaches.

When you share that experience, you give IGNITE women a map. Members of the Political Professional Network help young women see the many routes into political careers, avoid the dead ends, and find the people and opportunities that move them forward.

Who It's For

• Appointed officials: commissioners and board members serving on local, state, and federal boards and commissions, as well as appointed agency and department leaders who shape policy and public decisions from outside elected office.

• Campaign professionals: campaign managers, field organizers, fundraisers, communications staff, and political consultants.

• Government staff: chiefs of staff, legislative assistants and directors, district and constituent services staff, committee staff, and other aides to elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.

• Policy professionals: policy analysts, advocates, researchers, and government relations staff at nonprofits, think tanks, and advocacy organizations

What to Expect

Political professionals are busy making things happen. You choose how and when to engage. Some opportunities include:

• Opportunities to share your path: Network members can speak at IGNITE events, chapter meetings, and professional development workshops about your career and how you got your start.
• Meaningful mentorship: We’ll connect you with IGNITE chapter members and fellows who want to learn the unwritten rules of campaigns, legislative offices, and the policy world.
• Ways to open doors: You can share internships, fellowships, and job openings, and recommend IGNITE women for roles on your team or in your network.
• A community of peers: Connect with other professionals across campaigns, government, and policy who share a commitment to young women’s political leadership.