Tobin W.

Background

About Tobin W.

Not many kids who were raised in a poor Ozark Mountain community in rural Arkansas end up pursuing successful careers in foreign policy and public service, but I aspire to be one of them. From the Ozarks to North Carolina, Prague, Britain, Seattle, Chicago, Louisville, and more - I have found my fit in service to my local and global communities. Whether working as a U.S. Congressional Aide or in workforce development, I thrive on opportunities to solve complex problems and build relationships with diverse stakeholders. Throughout my life, I have turned my passions into achievements; the young kid who was fascinated with world maps ultimately earned undergraduate degrees in International Relations and Geography and a Master’s degree in Political Science, studied abroad, worked for two Consulates General and in three U.S. Congressional offices, and was selected to be part of the 2021 Aspen Strategy Group’s Rising Leaders Program. To summarize my career: “Think globally, serve locally.” Whether honing my cross-cultural communication skills while working with immigrants and refugees or co-authoring the WIOA (Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act) Bi-State Regional Plan for my community’s workforce development board, I always remind myself that every local issue is affected by broader global policy, and global communities intersect at local levels. In nearly all of my jobs, I have been responsible for keeping close watch on legislative developments and now even track policy as a hobby. My dedication to global and local service is evident through the volunteer opportunities I seek out with organizations like the Louisville Pride Foundation, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and the World Affairs Council. My passion for world affairs also threads together my work and volunteer history with my hobbies; I am a dedicated soccer fan and my mental database of geography trivia has taken years to build. When you meet me, quiz me on Premier League football teams and any capitol city in the world! As I move to New England this summer, I am excited to seek out opportunities that will allow me to apply the skills I have developed through working at all levels of government, from federal offices to local workforce boards. I am especially eager to volunteer with organizations that serve the immigrant and refugee community.