Isaiah Mears
What you’ve been up to since graduation:
I graduated from Wabash College in 2020 and moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in government. I first served as Operations Advisor to U.S. Senator Todd Young, attending every meeting on and off the Hill and preparing him for his daily schedule. During that time, I met my wife, Walton, who also worked in the Senate. I proposed on the Speaker’s Balcony of the Capitol, and we married in October of 2024. We purchased our first home and now live in Arlington, Virginia. After my time in the Senate, I transitioned into foreign affairs and joined the Qatar Embassy in Washington, D.C., helping launch and expand their Congressional Affairs portfolio and traveling to Qatar over 10 times — including during the 2022 FIFA World Cup — to facilitate high-level congressional delegations. I later became Chief of Staff to U.S. Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg, coordinating his Senate confirmation process. I now serve as Executive Director of the Hill & Valley Forum Foundation, a nonprofit bridging the knowledge gap between Capitol Hill and Silicon Valley on AI, innovation, technology policy, and national competitiveness.
Any recent accomplishments or milestones you’re proud of:
The Hill & Valley Forum has grown from a small dinner in 2022 to a 1,200-person annual event in Washington, D.C., hosting Members of Congress, Cabinet officials, and technology leaders like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Palantir’s Alex Karp. Personally, I’m proud of balancing a demanding career in public service with family life and building a home with my wife in Arlington.
How your time at TPCS prepared or influenced you in your journey:
Traders Point provided a foundation of faith, leadership, and purpose that shapes how I approach public service every day. The TPCS community instilled in me values of integrity, preparation, and service to others — values that I still rely on daily. Attending a very small high school gave me the opportunity to have my voice heard and to take on leadership roles, experiences that built confidence and taught me to navigate challenges.
A favorite memory or takeaway from your TPCS years:
I have many fond memories from TPCS, especially playing on the basketball team, where I built lifelong friendships. Being part of one of the last classes before the new high school was built gave me a unique perspective on helping lay the foundation for TPCS’s growth and future success. God continues to do great work through the school, and I’m grateful for the strong spiritual and academic foundation it gave me.
