Presenters: Meryl Harrell and Don Barry
This session will give valuable insights into working with US agencies from multiple angles, drawing on the experience of former departmental employees Meryl Harrell and Don Barry. Meryl, former US Department of Agriculture, will share her perspective on working with the Forest Service and USDA, including understanding the structure and culture of the agency and department, becoming a “peer partner,” and building effective and long-lasting relationships. Don, former US Department of the Interior, will guide you through ways to navigate agency policies and processes by understanding the “bureaucratic decision making jungle,” including ways to drive wedges into and between the various competing decision making power bases within Interior, alongside exploring the myriad of opportunities to cultivate internal and invisible agency allies capable of promoting your policy agenda within the Executive Branch.