Tess Pawlisch, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Needle PR, has dedicated over 15 years to championing values-driven brands and elevating underrepresented voices from Washington, D.C. to Silicon Valley.  A leader in tech publications since 2019, Tess has leveraged her skills in mobilizing voters and donors to help mission-driven startups and venture capital firms attract talent, customers, and investors. Her clients—and subsequently, her expertise—span artificial intelligence, blockchain, climate, financial services,  healthcare, social impact, and more. Tess began her political career at age 15 in her home state of Wisconsin. Before graduating high school, she was a member of the finance team that broke various state and national fundraising records during the recall of Governor Scott Walker—the biggest recall in American history.  For the next decade, she led fundraising and communication programs for non-profits, philanthropic organizations, and campaigns to help elect presidents, governors, attorneys general, senators, Supreme Court justices, congresspeople, state legislative leaders, and mayors.  Tess pivoted in 2016 after moving to San Francisco, where she realized that representation in Washington is just one way to make societal change. The tech industry also plays a crucial role in driving real-world progress, but she knew it needed to better support diverse founders and voices building impactful startups. These two passions culminated in 2023 when Tess founded Needle, a creative communications agency that helps clients commited to systemic change Make a Point. Tess's leadership extends to pro-bono communications, mentorship, and advisory roles, reflecting her commitment to social impact and diversity. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Elizabeth J. Somers Women's Leadership Program at George Washington University. An avid runner and reader, Tess embodies a blend of professional excellence and personal passion.