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Prior to joining James Lee Witt Associates, Gloria's previous private sector experience included serving as President of Emerging Market Strategies, Vice President and COO of the Corporate Council on Africa and Vice President of The Ridley Group, all based in Washington, D.C.
Emerging Market Strategies (EMS) provided advisory services to foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, multinational companies and investors seeking economic development opportunities in underserved markets around the world. EMS also advised clients in government relations and provided high level intervention for special projects.
The Ridley Group, an advocacy and crisis communications company, advised and guided clients in a wide range of public policy issues pending before Congress, the White House, federal administrative agencies and state legislatures. Activities included advising senior executives of all major managed care insurance companies the American Sugar Alliance in high profile congressional battles. Clients included: Aetna, CIGNA, MetLife, Prudential and the Travelers, The Health Insurance Association of America, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, The America Sugar Alliance, U.S. Sugar Corporation and the Governor of Alabama.
Gloria was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), a non-profit business association whose member companies account for 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. Additional activities included establishing and managing the Commission on Capital Flow to Africa and chairing the Steering Committee for the Private Sector Forum for the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Africa Trade Bill) in Philadelphia in 2001 and in Mauritius in 2003. These very successful conferences had over 1000 U.S. and African business leaders in attendance.
In addition, Gloria has over 20 years experience in public service as a senior advisor to the highest level executives at the state, federal and international levels of government. Most recently, 1996-2001, she was Counselor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank, the official export credit agency of the U.S. The Bank assists in financing the exports of U.S. goods and services to emerging markets. Gloria advised James A. Harmon, Chairman and President, and the Board on a wide range of internal issues including: overall business strategy, public relations, internal and external communications, launching new initiatives, resource allocation for the organization with a staff of 450 and an $800 million budget, international relations, market nuances in emerging economies and external matters dealing with the White House, Congress, Government agencies, numerous international trade associations; Presidents, Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors of foreign governments and Presidents and CEO's of major U.S. corporations. Gloria directed Ex-Im Bank's Africa Initiative, chairing the bank-wide Africa Task Force (ATF) and directing the public sector sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee. The ATF developed and steered marketing efforts, devised innovative financing structures, established strategic partnerships with foreign banks and other financial institutions resulting directly in a ten-fold increase in exports to the region in the first year and doubled in the next year.
While serving 10 years as a member of the House of Representatives in the Arkansas State Legislature, Gloria provided leadership in many areas, served as Floor Whip for Governor Bill Clinton and was appointed to represent him on the Legislative Budget Committee which considered and introduced all budget legislation. Following her legislative career, in 1990 Gloria was Campaign Manager for Governor Clinton's final re-election campaign with a paid staff of 15 and a $2million budget. In 1991, Gloria became the Chief of Staff for Governor Clinton, managing a staff of 50 and a $3million budget. She led and shepherded the most successful legislative program in the Governor's 13 year tenure. In January of 1992, she opened the Clinton for President office in Washington, D.C. directing a staff of 20 and over 1000 volunteers. | 