Betsy Wright Hawkings has built a reputation for integrity, leadership, mentorship and service on both sides of the aisle and across the political spectrum. As chief of staff for four members of Congress over 25 years, including her hometown Congressman Christopher Shays, Betsy took a leading role in helping build bipartisan coalitions to balance the federal budget in 1995-96; to apply civil rights, fair labor standards and workplace safety laws to Congress; and to establish the 9-11 Commission and implement its recommendations. She later served as the founding Managing Director of Democracy Fund’s Principled Leadership and Effective Governance program, where she built a team of eight and a $12 million grant portfolio focused on fostering dialogue across the ideological spectrum and reducing incentives for hyper-partisanship and gridlock in government. Under her leadership, DF has helped develop and fund new campaigns for needed evolution of congressional systems, processes and procedures, and conceived and invested in innovative programs to deepen leadership development for members of Congress and staff. She now serves as Managing Partner of Article One Advisors, a consulting firm focused on providing expert analysis of Congress and strategic advice to organizations seeking to support improved function in that institution. A Williams College Mead Scholar whose public service has been recognized with awards from Groton School (MA) and the Stennis Center for Public Service (DC), Betsy and her husband, veteran congressional journalist David Hawkings, have two sons.
