Ashley Friedman, MA International Trade and Investment Policy, Class of 2012, #ElliottProud Alumni
Ashley Friedman is the senior director of policy at Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) leading their engagement in Latin America and working globally on issues related to digital trade, online platforms, and telecommunications. Prior to ITI, she served as the policy advisor for International Trade and Investment to the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce. During this time, Ashley helped to support key priorities and initiatives in areas such as foreign policy, digital economy, cybersecurity, and trade. Prior to that role, Ashley served for six years as the Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mercosur, and Cuba desk officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. In this position, Ashley managed all trade and economic relations with those countries, developed market strategies for U.S. businesses, demonstrated strategic leadership in commercial diplomacy, and worked on trade facilitation and market access projects throughout the Caribbean and South America. Ashley graduated with an MA in International Trade and Investment Policy (now International Economic Policy) from the Elliott School in 2012.
Describe your current position and what are your primary responsibilities?
In my current position, I lead all of the Information Technology Industry Council’s (ITI) work in the Americas (from Canada to Chile), as well as our global telecom and intermediaries/platforms portfolios. ITI represents approximately 65 of the world’s largest tech companies, and we work on issues ranging from product regulatory to cybersecurity to data privacy to 5G to supply chain to trade to tax. Our companies operate in nearly every market in the world and on nearly every aspect of the tech ecosystem, and we work closely with governments and other stakeholders to help make sure that the best policies move forward.
What do you wish other people knew about your organization?
The tech sector is always evolving and plays a role in almost every policy issue. Some of our companies have been operating for over a hundred years, and others are brand new. We work with hardware, software, and internet companies, which creates a diverse mix of issues and perspectives. The ongoing “techlash” has made our job more challenging, but also so much more important to tell stories of how tech and the internet are moving communities forward and supporting positive change.
What Elliott School courses would you recommend for students interested in your field and why?
The courses at Elliott School that I remember most are largely the ones taught by adjunct professors that were still working in the field. GW places such an emphasis on practical learning, and the classes that proved to be most useful were the ones where we were forced to write a compelling, yet concise, argument and then defend it to the class.
What was your experience with the job search post-graduation? Can you provide any wisdom for students starting their job search?
I was extremely lucky to land an internship during my junior year of undergrad at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, which transitioned into a full-time position when I graduated, where I led the Argentina and Uruguay trade policy portfolio. Over the next several years, I moved around the Latin America office, covering a variety of countries and projects throughout the region. I also earned my MA at night during this time. In 2014, I was asked by the Deputy Secretary of Commerce to join his team as an international trade policy advisor for a one-year detail position. In that role, I had the opportunity to work on a number of trade issues, and on a variety of regions including Eastern Europe and China. The tech issues that I worked on in this role were the most interesting to me, so when the opportunity came to join the team at the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and combine my passion for tech with my experience in Latin America and Europe, I jumped at the chance to work on such a great team at such an interesting time for the industry. My recommendation for students is twofold: first, take advantage of internships in DC and the connections that your professors can help you make; and second, learn how to write everything you need to say in less than a page – employers will look favorably on that skill more than any other!
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
If I could be any animal… this week? I’ll go with the North American Opossum. I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant, and the idea of a 12-day pregnancy (which is standard for an Opossum, the shortest pregnancy of all mammals) sounds pretty nice as the Washington summer heat kicks in. On a more normal day, I’d probably pick a sea turtle, so I could spend my time going in and out of the ocean.
Want to connect with current Elliott School students and alumni? Click here to see how!
Find out more about this program by creating a CustomViewbook!
Join us for an information session, RSVP here!
Click here to apply to the Elliott School!
Twitter · Facebook · Instagram
The #ElliottProud profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights graduate program alumni to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions 