Zina C. Pierre

A noted speaker and advocate on women’s issues, policy and politics, Zina C. Pierre has an extensive background in government relations at the federal, state and local levels of government. She served eight years in the Clinton Administration with her last position as special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs. Pierre currently serves as the founding President and CEO of the Washington Linkage Group, Inc., a government relations and strategic consulting firm specializing in lobbying, public relations, corporate affairs and international trade.

Prior to her position in the White House, Pierre worked successfully to help create public-private partnerships with local government and the business community to hire more than 200,000 former welfare recipients while serving as Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Welfare to Work Initiative. Before SBA, she held the position of Director of Communications for the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau where she developed public relations strategies, as well as organized a “Don’t Work in the Dark: Working Women Count” multi-city summit to educate women on their workplace rights. Pierre began her political appointment as speechwriter and public affairs specialist to the Director and Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management where she was responsible for the production and served as host of a live nationally televised federal government talk show.

Previous to her eight years in government, Pierre worked for more than ten years in the television broadcast industry as a writer, field producer, and production assistant with networks such as USA Today Television Show, Fox Channel 5 News, America’s Most Wanted, Sports News Network and News Channel 8.

She currently serves on several national and local boards including: Executive Board of The White House Project; Vice Chair of “The Future PAC” – a national African American women’s political action committee; the Greater Washington Urban League; National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Women’s Round Table; Democratic National Committee (DNC) Women’s Vote Center; Annapolis Children and Family Services; member of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee; founding board member of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Anne Arundel County; Annapolis Ministerial and, several groups focusing youth. Pierre formerly served on the executive board of the National Council of Negro Women and as Chair of the Board for the National Youth Connection.

Pierre was a contributing writer to Dr. Dorothy I. Height’s 1997 book “Voices of Vision.” Her commitment to women’s empowerment has afforded her opportunities to speak to diverse audiences globally from the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Conference, National Women’s Political Caucus, National Urban League, NAACP and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Leadership Series to Bishop T.D. Jakes “Woman Thou Art Loosed” conference boasting more than 84,000 women in attendance.

She has also conducted communications and legislative trainings for: the ACLU; Children’s Defense Fund; United Charities; Maryland Democratic party; Center for Policy Alternatives and, the National Conference of Black Mayors. In addition, Pierre has guest lectured on political, public policy and women’s issues at Georgetown University, George Washington University, University of St. Louis, Howard University, University of Maryland, Frostburg State, State of Georgia Juvenile Justice Department and abroad to women elected officials in East and South Africa.

She is the recipient of the following awards: Citation for “Exemplary Public Service,” Ron Brown Economic Development Award by Minority Business Magazine, “Outstanding Government Official of the Year” by the Minority Business Suppliers, NAACP “National Service Award”, Delta Sigma Theta “Woman of Fortitude” Award for Political Involvement, Federally Employed Women “Leadership” Award, three-time recipient of former Vice President Gore’s “Heroes of Reinvention” Award, and the National Conference of Black Mayors “Outstanding Service” recognition.

Pierre is a graduate of Catholic University of America. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration from Catholic University. Follow Pierre on Twitter @ZinaCPierre.