Aubrey Wilson
Beekeeper, Hill Innovator, and Twin Mom
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In her all-new position as Director of Global Initiatives at POPVOX Foundation, Aubrey Wilson is looking to foster innovation in democratic institutions around the world. Up until recently, however, she was working as POPVOX's Director of Government Innovation, where she specifically focused on modernizing U.S. Congress.
Basically, if you want to modernize your Congressional office, use AI tools to streamline processes, or if you have ideas to innovate on the Hill, talk to Aubrey.
Originally starting on the Hill in 2015, Aubrey moved up the legislative ranks often thinking to herself "there must be a better way" when it came to work processes.
Her opportunity to find "a better way" came when she returned to the Hill in early 2020, originally starting as a Congressional Fellow for the Committee on House Admin and working her way up to Director of Oversight and Modernization Initiatives. Then, in 2023, she joined POPVOX Foundation where she's been able to completely dedicate herself to innovating the institution she loves.
Get to know more about Aubrey...
🏠 Hometown: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
🎓 College: Hillsdale College
🔗 CNCT with Aubrey about... Making the most of AI
Tune in to this episode to learn how to start your own beehive, the things people don't say about being a twin mom, and where to go with your ideas on the Hill.
More about Aubrey & POPVOX Foundation
Some of you may be wondering: What is POPVOX Foundation?
It's a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that's mostly comprised of former Congressional staffers who are passionate about making Congress better. POPVOX takes a particular interest in assisting government institutions, mainly legislatures, keep pace with technology and best practices by providing various resources.
🏕️ One thing POPVOX offers is AI Summer Camp, which is a self-led guide for implementing GenAI into work as a Congressional staffer.
"The biggest tip for learning how to use [AI] tools is to use them," says Aubrey.
If you're feeling overwhelmed on where to start with AI, Aubrey recommends using this straight-forward prompt:
"I am a [job title] that works on Capitol Hill in the U.S. [House of Representatives / Senate]. What are ten ways that you can help me with my job?"
When Aubrey isn't too busy with work or keeping track of her twins, she spends her time beekeeping.
🍯 If you're interested in learning more about being a beekeeper, Aubrey offers a lot of advice in this episode. She describes the hobby as more low-maintenance than you would expect, approachable, calming, and rewarding (in the form of honey).