Employee Spotlight: Erin Hearn
Erin is an experienced alliance manager with a demonstrated history of building strategic relationships. She has several years of experience working in state government on policy and legislation before joining J Strategies in 2019 and is a licensed attorney in Massachusetts. Erin is passionate about public policy and creating meaningful change through engagement and advocacy. She believes combining solid relationships with creative and persuasive messaging is the best strategy to achieve successful results.
As Vice President of Alliance Development at J Strategies, Erin works to build meaningful relationships with various opinion leaders, including advocates, business leaders, and government officials. She works with a range of clients in the healthcare, technology, and nonprofit fields to implement successful grassroots activations and advocacy efforts. She also plans and executes various events, from press conferences to public health fairs.
Erin is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts and is thrilled to represent J Strategies in Boston. She loves traveling, attending Patriots games, and volunteering in the community with Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots and as a mentor for high school and college students.
Can you share what inspired you to pursue a career focused on public policy and legislative affairs?
I began working in the Massachusetts State Senate shortly after graduating from law school. While I was interested in government and politics, I wasn’t sure this was the route I wanted to take. However, I quickly became excited about the legislative process, bill drafting, and identifying meaningful public policy solutions to issues the Commonwealth faced. I learned a great deal about analyzing issues from all sides, working to find areas of compromise, and advocating for essential priorities. After several years, I knew I wanted to take the next step and see the public policy field from the other side. I was excited to have the opportunity to join the J Strategies team and develop my skills and interests further.
How does your background as an attorney contribute to your role in alliance development and advocacy?
My background in law taught me to analyze all sides of an issue and anticipate arguments. I use these skills to craft persuasive messaging and respond to opposing viewpoints. It was also essential to meet people where they are and help them find solutions to their challenges. We do that every day in alliance development and advocacy. I am proud to work with the organizations I engage with to elevate their priorities and find creative ways to support their goals.
Could you describe a challenge you’ve faced while building relationships and how you overcame it?
Occasionally, an organization I connect with is unsure about the value of building a relationship. They may be overtaxed with a small staff and are still determining if collaborating will be worth their time. I know that having varied voices in a policy conversation is crucial, and an organization shouldn’t be limited in their advocacy by their capacity. In this case, I do my best to provide value for the organization in ways that are meaningful to them. That may be volunteering at an event, providing support in an area they need, or collaborating on an issue that is important to them. Your actions must match your words.
What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on at JS, and why?
I have been honored to work alongside Unchained at Last in their efforts to ban child marriage in the United States. Seeing my home state of Massachusetts sign the ban into law in 2022 was so impactful. This resulted from countless legislative meetings, multiple chain-ins, and years of work by UAL and its MA coalition. Working with survivors and UAL’s fantastic team is an experience I am grateful for. Yet, there is more work to be done! Child marriage is still legal in forty states and happens at an alarming rate. Check out Unchained at Last’s website for more information on these efforts nationwide.
What advice would you give someone looking to make meaningful change through engagement and advocacy?
Alliance development and advocacy are ultimately about people and relationships. Take the time to develop relationships and learn about your partners’ priorities and goals. Be creative in how you approach challenges and seek solutions. Remember that advocacy is often about the long game. It’s easy to become frustrated when you work hard to make meaningful changes and don’t see the results you want as quickly as you’d hoped. Every effort is an opportunity to learn and fine-tune your strategies.
