Annie Perrin “AP” Grisham, is originally from northern Alabama, growing up at the edge of the Appalachian Mountains where community and place shaped her sense of service. During college at the University of Mary Washington, she worked with the Appalachia Service Project during the summertime, helping to repair homes for families living without basic necessities such as running water and electricity. During the school year she interned on Capitol Hill for a member of Congress.
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en tornadoes devastated the very district where she volunteered, AP helped the Congressional office research federal disaster funding. Seeing her work contribute directly to communities she cared about was a turning point. It inspired her to study political science and confirmed her belief that policy can drive meaningful change.
Today, she is a Policy Associate with IEEE-USA, a national association representing more than 150,000 technologists, and is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration at George Washington University.
AP was drawn to the Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship because of its commitment to ethical, bipartisan advocacy. “I’ve seen first-hand how lobbying can be a force for good,” AP says. “I believe honest, bipartisan, advocacy will create positive change.” As a new Fellow, AP is most excited about the opportunity to work with her mentors, Genna Gent and Marissa Serafino. She looks forward to broadening her network, gaining outside perspective, and having trusted advisors to call upon for ideas and guidance.
Looking ahead, AP knows she wants to remain in the policy world, advocating for change where it is most needed. Whether that means continuing to shape technology policy or returning to social issues closer to her roots, she is determined to ensure her work has a lasting, positive impact.
