John Bridgeland
Office of American Possibilities
Washington, DC USA
"All transformational change across American history has first come and been catalyzed by private citizens."
Career Roadmap
John's work combines: Government, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science and Government
Harvard University
Doctorate
Law
University of Virginia School of Law
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I grew up in a service-driven family and learned early on that giving back was just a way of life.
2.
Inspired by leaders like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., I felt a deep calling to pursue public service.
3.
I spent a service year abroad in Belgium, which opened my eyes to the global need for civic engagement and cultural understanding.
4.
I spent some time working on Capitol Hill and then went to law school.
5.
After law school, I worked in New York and Paris, but I always felt pulled back to policy and public service.
6.
Rejoining government, I became Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, guiding education, conservation, and service initiatives.
7.
9/11 shifted my work dramatically—suddenly I was in the White House Situation Room daily, tackling national security and emergency preparedness.
8.
Disheartened by partisan divides, I founded Civic Enterprises—and later, the Office of American Possibilities and More Perfect—to unite Americans across beliefs.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
While working at a law firm, Sunday night would roll around and I'd start dreading going in to work. I just wasn't built to do it. I figured out what I was meant to be doing, made the switch, and now feel like it's not work at all!