Jennifer Williamson
Government Relations Director, Portland
At Pyramid:
Jennifer leads the Portland government relations practice. She specializes in government relations and advocacy, political strategy, public policy, and strategic communications. She has worked as an advocate at the local, state, and federal level for issues ranging from education appropriations to energy policy. Because Jennifer has managed government relations in both the public and private sectors, she understands the unique advocacy needs of her clients.
After Hours:
Jennifer, her husband, and her stepdaughter are avid travelers. Jennifer runs marathons so she can enjoy great food and Oregon wines without any regrets. As part of her community involvement, Jennifer serves as a member of the Board of Directors of The Center for Women, Politics and Policy and is the Chair of the Board of the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon and Political Action Committee.
Background:
Before joining Pyramid, Jennifer was the Assistant Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Portland State University.
A lawyer by training, Jennifer began her political career as a student activist and “political geek” at the University of Oregon, where she was student body president. After college, Jennifer went to work for Senator Mark Hatfield (R – OR), her mentor and the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. While in DC, Jennifer worked on education appropriations.
After Washington, Jennifer worked on education and government relations for Intel, went to Willamette University School of Law, and then spent five years in the litigation department of Davis Wright Tremaine’s Portland office.
Jennifer left Davis Wright Tremaine to join Portland State University as a lobbyist and later was the public affairs manager for the Oregon Department of Education, where she oversaw communications and legislative affairs and the on-going expansion of the Oregon Virtual School District for State Superintendent Susan Castillo.
