Alison Cheperdak, J.D.
Modern Etiquette for Hill Professionals
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Politics is a relationship-oriented business, but navigating the "soft skills" of the Hill can often feel like a minefield. Fortunately, Alison Cheperdak is here to bridge the gap between protocol and professional success.
✨ As the Founder of Elevate Etiquette, Alison teaches modern manners and international protocol to everyone from junior associates to C-suite executives. Her journey to entrepreneurship was fueled by a viral social media presence—gaining 100,000 followers in just two months—and the recent publication of her book, Was It Something I Said? - Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work, and Life.
🏛 Alison’s expertise isn't just academic; she is a true "one-man band" of D.C. experience. She has served as a TV news anchor, a lawyer, and a clerk for three different Congressional committees.
📝 Her most intense role, however, was in the White House as the Assistant Staff Secretary. In this "nerve center" of the administration, Alison and her team managed the flow of every document that reached the president’s desk—from executive orders and speeches to the pocket cards used for names and pronunciations. Whether it was a document returned with heavy black Sharpie edits or a last-minute briefing for a Medal of Honor ceremony, Alison saw it all.
CNCT with Alison about…
Managing the president’s paper flow in the West Wing 📝
What a book tour is really like 📚
Renovating a 100-year-old home in Georgetown 🏠
Her favorite AI and business podcasts
Alison's Backstory 📖
🏠 Where She Grew Up: New England
🎓 College & Law School: Villanova University and George Washington University Law School
💭 Favorite White House Memory: Witnessing the joy of recipients and their families during Medal of Honor and Naturalization ceremonies.
Etiquette Advice for the Hill & Beyond 💡
Alison believes that manners are not about wealth or elitism, but about connection and respect. Here are her top tips for staffers:
💻 The Follow-Up Rule: In job interviews, send a thank-you email the same day. Alison recommends e-mailing so your kind note can be easily forwarded; save the handwritten notes for the people who vouched for you or helped you land the role.
☕️ Informational Coffee Protocol: When reaching out, be kind, specific, and deferential. Don't just ask to "pick someone's brain,” tell them exactly what you want to learn about, like their experience in a specific committee or law school.
🤝 The Art of Disagreement: Remember that smart people can look at the same facts and reach different conclusions. Focus on building rapport on light topics before diving into heavy political debates.
👔 Dress for the job you want, but don’t let the interview be the first time you wear that suit or those heels. You should feel comfortable and like you belong in the room.