Virginia Drake
Senior Director, Communications & Public Affairs
Virginia Drake is a Senior Director at Bully Pulpit International (BPI). Bringing 16 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Virginia manages communications and public affairs campaigns with a focus on crafting narratives, shaping public opinion, and driving outcome-oriented strategy for clients in a range of industries.
Prior to her role at BPI, Virginia launched and led the public affairs practice at one of California’s consistently ranked top lobbying firms, Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange. There, she oversaw public affairs, communications and marketing for statewide advocacy organizations and private sector clients. Virginia managed high-profile campaigns that resulted in historic policymaking and budget victories in the State Capitol—including securing an unprecedented $5.1 billion in funding for public transit in the 2023-2024 State Budget and expanding access to high-quality, affordable reproductive and healthcare services across California’s rural and underserved communities.
Previously, Virginia served as the Director of Marketing & Communications for eight years at the Bay Area Council, a business-sponsored public policy and advocacy organization representing the region’s largest employers, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies in the tech, health, real estate and financial sectors. During her tenure, she directed digital marketing, communications, branding and media strategy across wide-ranging policy issues impacting the business community.
Virginia’s career in public policy first began in New York City where she drove the development and communications at an education reform nonprofit responsible for bringing life skills curriculum to New York City Public Schools under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, which catalyzed a nationwide initiative. She also worked at a professional fundraising firm representing a diversity of youth and health-related causes.
Virginia graduated from Bowdoin College with a major in History and minor in Government & Legal Studies. She currently lives with her family in the Bay Area.