Tim Gehring is a vice president at Bridge Public Affairs and a former U.S. Department of State official, with over a decade of experience in foreign affairs in both government and non-governmental organizations (NGO). He spends the majority of his time on the firm’s growing international affairs portfolio. Gehring specializes in foreign policy, U.S. foreign assistance, and human rights issues in corporate supply chains.
Before joining Bridge, Gehring served as a senior congressional advisor and public affairs specialist at the State Department. In this role, he drafted authorization and appropriation legislative text, wrote congressional testimony for hearings, and advised the ambassador of the Trafficking in Persons Office on engagement with members of Congress. During his time at State, he received the Franklin Award for Public Diplomacy in honor of distinguished service as a public servant, recognizing achievements in a variety of areas of importance to the department.
Previously, Gehring worked at International Justice Mission (IJM), a leading global non-profit, ultimately serving as the director of global policy and partnerships, managing the organization’s engagement with the U.S. government on Capitol Hill and the executive branch, as well as with international organizations and multinational corporations. He also advised IJM teams globally on government engagement strategies. While at IJM, Gehring testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on U.S. government efforts to combat trafficking in persons and was instrumental in supporting the passage of several key pieces of legislation, including legislation that would launch the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, and legislation to increase annual appropriations in IJM priority areas.
Gehring earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Asbury University and a master’s degree in international affairs and economics from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky.
Tim and his wife, Brianna, live in Nashville with their two children.