Interview with Theda Khrestin, Vice President of Public Policy at Dallas Regional Chamber

Name: Theda Khrestin

Profession/Title: Vice President of Public Policy

Business/Company Name: Dallas Regional Chamber

Date of Interview: October 28, 2024

The process of scheduling my first interview was the hardest part of the experience. I was unfamiliar with how to efficiently establish credibility, accommodate my parents and the professional’s respective schedules, or communicate with multiple people before ever getting to the intended contact. With the lessons I learned in ISM, I gained confidence in my ability to maneuver the professional world and contacted Theda Khrestin, the Vice President of Public Policy at the Dallas Regional Chamber. 

Ms. Khrestin has had a long career serving the American people. She worked on Capitol Hill for 13 years under multiple elected officials on a multitude of topics from foreign affairs to national security. She later went onto work for Coca-Cola as a lobbyist before moving to Texas. Her vast experience within the policy field has given her a unique perspective on how to approach issues. 

What you learned through this experience

Going into this interview, I expected to learn more about what it is like working for an elected official. We discussed what it’s like to work on Capitol Hill and the varying levels of experience that different interns, legislative staffers, and constituents have. It was surprising to learn that many people who work for these officials never went to law school and that a law degree is not necessary to be successful. I didn’t expect there to be so much overlap with legislation and business, but Ms. Khrestin explained the importance of lobbyists and how they give policymakers ideas and suggestions to implement policies. The three main types of lobbies  are in house, trade association, and multiclient lobbies. 

Specific advice or information that was helpful

We discussed different methods of getting your foot through the door in policy. A lot of it has to do with the connection you make and who is willing to help you get a position. When trying to prove your abilities or climb up the ladder, you have to remember there are multiple perspectives and experiences that are needed to make effective legislation. Starting off as an intern and growing your understanding of legislative processes is great, but people with different career backgrounds in sectors that are unrelated to policymaking are needed as well. Getting experience in other fields such as business, law, education, healthcare, etc before working in office leads to more realistic and beneficial policies being implemented. Other things that stood out to me from our conversation were her tips on how to accommodate others such as sending questions ahead of time.  

Insight that was provided that challenged you or your perception

There is a lot of stigma and negative connotations with lobbyists. Ms. Khrestin informed me of the way lobbyists benefit policymaking. Lobbyists from different companies are well versed in their respective trade/profession, and with their help, policymakers are able to take their suggestions to efficiently implement change. While lobbyists do a lot of things that are seen as less than ideal, they are necessary for creating effective solutions. 

What skills did you improve upon?

From our business symposium, I was told I needed to make stronger first impressions. During this interview I was mindful of the way I approached Ms. Khrestin, how I introduced myself, and how I opened the conversation. I had a better idea of how to start off an interview in order to have a productive conversation. 

What areas can you improve?

I want to improve my ability to get back on track with the questions I prepared before an interview. I think I was able to ask meaningful follow up questions but there were questions I wanted to ask but never did because I didn’t know how to fit them into the conversation. I also think learning how to effectively close a conversation is something that I need to work on because it felt abrupt when we ended. Lastly, for post-interview communication, I need to be more timely with follow up emails and ensuring I get the referrals talked about in the interview.