Tech startup incubator 1776 continued its streak of executive hires this week, adding Margaret Shepard from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a new managing director. Shepard had been executive director for communications and strategy at the Chamber before joining 1776,
"I've known [1776 cofounders] Evan [Burfield] and Donna [Harris] since six months after 1776 launched and am a huge fan of them both," Shepard said. "I've long had conversations with them, but it started to get real in the last month or so."
Shepard worked closely with 1776 most recently as the lead for the Chamber on the joint Innovation That Matters report. That was one of many such strategic partnerships for the Chamber, largely revolving around policy communications for businesses. Her role at 1776 is still taking shape, Shepard said, but will likely involve a similar lead role in partnerships.
"It's a little bit amorphous right now," Shepard said. "I'll be working on partnerships, streamlining activities with strategically relevant partners. What shape that takes remains to be seen."
"I'm excited to be part of making D.C. more innovative and dynamic."
Shepard joins a notably fast-extending list of new 1776 executives. Former CNN reporter Erin McPike joined as communications director in March, while former New York City and State chief digital officer Rachel Haot became a managing director in January. With a recent $7.2 million funding round and a new campus to open in Dubai, there's undoubtedly plenty for Shepard to do. Shepard, a local who earned her MBA at the University of Maryland, said she's particularly keen to extend what she sees as the legacy of 1776's role growing the local innovation scene. That's why the partnerships she will be working on are important.
"I grew up in Washington, and on a personal note, 1776 really helped transform the area," Shepard said. "I'm excited to be part of making D.C. more innovative and dynamic."
