Six months ago, I did not predict I would be working in tech.

I was wrapping up my M.A. in Public Policy and B.A. in International Relations at Stanford, where my studies centered on international development and security. I knew I wanted mission-driven work that promotes effective governance — I just wasn't sure where the best place to do that would be right now, especially during a time where the international system is quickly changing, the U.S. is becoming more isolationist, and international aid and development have been devastated.

Then I found Holly: a tech (!) startup (!!) solving local (!!!) government HR problems. Despite being vastly different from any org or NGO I've worked at, I was curious the moment I realized how critical Holly's work is to building the future of public service pipelines. I was sold when I saw just how passionate its founders and early hires are about delivering real results.

You may be thinking this is not the traditional profile of a tech startup BDR. You might be right. But here's the thing — everything I've done before led me straight here.

Every experience taught me the same lesson

Over the past six years, I've researched torture protections on the ground in Indonesia, worked to increase access to medical information for healthcare workers in Southern Africa, assessed gender electoral quotas empowering women in government in West and Central Africa, and analyzed the jurisprudence of war crimes trials. I also worked as a campaign Field Organizer in my home state of Minnesota, where it delighted me to spam the campaign Slack channel with blue dinosaur emojis — a joyfully braggadocious code for the number of volunteer shifts I'd booked — and speak passionately about electing folks who would move Minnesota forward.

These experiences span continents and levels of government, but they changed me in the same way. Whether I was talking with Minnesota voters about affordable healthcare or interviewing Indonesian lawyers about fighting corruption, I kept learning that real change starts with one-on-one conversations about real problems. They made me a better listener, and a better advocate. And they solidified my belief that authentic conversations about problems and solutions are what actually propel government forward.

That's exactly what I do at Holly

As a BDR, I get to speak with hundreds of city and county leaders about their HR challenges and how Holly can support them in building a more resilient government workforce. Government HR teams hire the champions that keep our communities healthy, safe, educated, and organized — and they deserve creative, modern solutions that respond to the ever-evolving complexities of government administration.

Holly is created by public servants, for public servants, to improve the systems that impact every American's quality of life. This mission is massive. And I get to help make it real, one conversation at a time.

If it sounds like Holly could help your team meet its HR goals, start the conversation with me at lindsey@hollygov.com. Let's get to work!

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