Lisa Gates joined IRI in December 2004.  In her role, she oversees IRI’s communications and media strategies, including the Institute’s website, print publications and multimedia initiatives.  During her time at IRI, Gates has also monitored elections in the Afghanistan, Egypt, Georgia, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Nigeria, Somaliland, Tunisia and Ukraine.

Prior to joining IRI, Gates served as public affairs officer and director of the International Press Center for the Coalition Provisional Authority and the U.S. Mission in Baghdad, Iraq.  In that role, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the International Press Center and served as spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy and the Coalition Provisional Authority on women’s issues and the Iraq Stock Exchange.

From March of 2003 to May 2004, Gates served as special assistant for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor.  While there, she traveled extensively with the Secretary of Labor, coordinating media interviews and events.

Gates has also served as spokesperson to Governor Jeb Bush of Florida.  From April 2001 to January 2003, she served as deputy press secretary in the Executive Office of the Governor, deputy communications director on the 2002 Bush-Brogan campaign and communications director for Governor Bush’s 2002 transition.  In those positions, Gates was a spokesperson on a wide range of public policy initiatives, oversaw day-to-day communications activities of various government agencies and coordinated press conferences and other media events.

Gates was an account executive at HMS Success Public Relations in Ohio, where she oversaw accounts for Council of Smaller Enterprises, Coalition for Vehicle Choice, National Safety Council, Ohio News Network and Schottenstein Stores Corporation.

Gates got her start in public affairs working in the Communications Office of then-Governor George V. Voinovich of Ohio.  She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.