PERSON: Maura Gillespie

Maura Gillespie recently served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), leading his office as the head of communications for nearly seven years. As a founding partner of the Country First movement, Maura served as the chief spokesperson and chief strategist for the organization, which has grown to over 150,000 members with 6,000 volunteers and state chapters in all 50 states.

An expert on communications strategy and messaging, Maura oversaw a significant portfolio for an active, and often outspoken, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Through this role, Maura helped Congressman Kinzinger build and maintain a powerful national media presence based on his military and foreign policy expertise, and his willingness to stand up for truth and democracy. This translated to her role in helping start the Country First Movement with the Congressman and accelerating its growth in its nearly two years of operation.

Prior to her role with Rep. Kinzinger, Maura worked in the Office of the Speaker for five years, working her way up from Staff Assistant to Press Advisor for then-Speaker John A. Boehner.

With a strong interest in humanitarian assistance and international affairs, Maura is proud to be a Member of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue’s Young Leaders Program and values the opportunity to travel, building on bilateral relations and cultural education.

Maura graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2011 with a degree in political science, and originally hails from the great State of New Jersey.

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