Andy Polk

Andy Polk has worked in the public and private sectors for over 18 years. Andy began their career in 2002 as a Staff Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, eventually becoming a Senior Policy Advisor, Director of Communications and Public Affairs. In 2008, they were appointed Director of the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus. In 2012, they joined Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) as Senior Vice President, leading the development and implementation of strategies, and overseeing operations including publications, products, communications and events. In 2018, they co-founded Material Exchange, a software platform aimed at helping companies cut costs and speed up development related to material selection and sourcing. In 2019, they founded and became the Director of Advocacy Help Desk, a network of award winning advocacy innovators and dynamic storytellers that provides personalized support to associations and advocacy professionals for free.

Andy Polk received a Master's degree in International Relations and Affairs from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) between 2011 and 2012. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Business Admin. from Gardner-Webb University between 1998 and 2002. Andy also holds a certification from HarvardX - An Online Learning Initiative by Harvard University through edX, which they obtained in August 2013 for Philosophy & Justice.