I am Andy Polk, based in Herndon, US, with a robust background in foreign policy and public affairs. I am proficient in French and have elementary skills in Chinese, Spanish, and German. With over 11 years of experience as the Senior Vice President at the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), I lead strategic initiatives that support the footwear industry. Additionally, I co-founded Material Exchange, a software platform aimed at enhancing sustainability in material sourcing. My tenure as a Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives allowed me to develop expertise in legislative relations and policy analysis. I hold a Master's degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. My skills also include public speaking, strategic communications, and press relations, which I leverage to advocate for effective policy solutions.