Jhiela "Gigi" Poynter

I attribute my success to having support. My family, my friends, my husband—none of us really get where we are completely on our own.

To me, it can feel a little cliché to say, "I pulled myself up by my bootstraps" or "I did it all myself." That doesn't mean I want to take away from the hard work I've put in or the things I've earned, but I think it's important to recognize the people who helped along the way. I've learned that it's okay to ask for help, to lean on your community, and to accept support when you need it.

A large part of my success comes from being surrounded by people who are driven, supportive, and committed to doing meaningful things. When you surround yourself with people who lift each other up instead of competing with one another, everyone is capable of achieving more than they could alone.

The best career advice I ever received came during a job interview when I was still in college. I had applied for what I thought was an unpaid volunteer internship with a congressional campaign. During the interview, the hiring manager asked me what I wanted to be paid, and I completely froze. It hadn't even occurred to me that I might be interviewing for a paid position.

He told me something that has stayed with me ever since: I should have been prepared to answer that question. He explained that understanding your value and being able to articulate it is an important part of any professional opportunity. He helped me come up with a number, but the lesson was much bigger than that.

Since then, I've always encouraged people-- especially young women-- to know their worth. That doesn't mean overestimating yourself or expecting something you haven't earned. It means recognizing the value you bring to the table, being prepared to advocate for yourself, and not being afraid to have those conversations. If you don't know your worth, it's difficult to expect anyone else to recognize it either.

One thing I really want young women to know is that a lot of high-achieving women still struggle with that little voice of self-doubt. We call it imposter syndrome-- the feeling that maybe we're not qualified enough, smart enough, experienced enough, or that somehow we don't belong where we are.

My advice is simple: don't wait for someone else to give you permission. Even if nobody pulls out a chair for you, make space for yourself at the table. You deserve to be there just as much as anyone else. Trust that you've earned your place, speak up, and advocate for yourself. The people who seem the most confident often have the same doubts you do-- they've just learned not to let those doubts make decisions for them.

In both law and public service, many leadership positions are still held by men, so those fields remain largely male-dominated spaces. That can certainly present challenges, but I also see it as an opportunity.

Women often bring different perspectives, experiences, and approaches to problem-solving, communication, and leadership. Those perspectives don't replace others-- they complement them. When decision-making tables include people with different backgrounds and life experiences, the conversations are stronger and the outcomes are often better. I think one of the greatest opportunities right now is continuing to create space for those diverse voices and ensuring that talented women not only have a seat at the table, but also have the opportunity to help shape the conversation.

Respect is probably the most important value in both my work and my personal life. That starts with having respect for yourself, but it also means showing respect to the people around you.

It takes all kinds to make the world work, and we're not all going to agree on everything. But I think respect allows us to recognize the value in other people's perspectives, experiences, and contributions, even when we see things differently. Whether I'm working with colleagues, constituents, friends, or family, I've found that respect is the foundation for productive relationships, meaningful conversations, and lasting trust.