Agile. Community. Partners.
Education:
J.D., Howard University School of Law
B.A., Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
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Professional Activities:
District of Columbia Building Industry Association, Member (2021-Present); Advisory Board (2021-2023).
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Licenses:
District of Columbia Bar
James Pittman
Managing Partner
James Pittman has extensive experience helping government and private sector clients successfully navigate complex legislative and public policy issues that touch every part of state and municipal contexts. Throughout his career, James has been responsible for developing and leading integrated legislative, policy, and stakeholder outreach initiatives.
Before entering private practice at Agile Community Partners and previously Holland & Knight's public policy and regulation group, James led governmental and external affairs in the District of Columbia for an industry-leading electric utility company, including a $2B infrastructure portfolio. In this role James also led corporate responsibility initiatives focused on environmental, social, and governance issues.
Previously, James served for nearly 15 years in the government of the District of Columbia, most recently as the deputy attorney general for legislative and external affairs in the District of Columbia's Office of the Attorney General (OAG). During his tenure at OAG, James helped establish the legislative framework for the new independently elected office, including building out the consumer protection and public advocacy areas of the office. His responsibilities also included collaborating with the mayor, the council of the District of Columbia, and community stakeholders on an array of legislative issues to protect and support residents and businesses.
Before his role at OAG, James gained valuable experience working for both the Executive Office of the Mayor, where he ultimately served as director of the mayor's Office of Policy and Legislative Affairs, and the council of the District of Columbia, where he served as legislative counsel for the Committee on Business and Economic Development.
Education:
J.D., The University of Chicago Law School
B.A., College of the Holy Cross
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Professional Activities:
Guest Lecturer, The George Washington University School of Business and Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality Education
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Licenses:
District of Columbia Bar
Kathleen Pessolano Pittman
Partner
Kathleen Pessolano Pittman is an experienced lawyer and practitioner at the intersection of public policy, corporate responsibility, and economic development. Over the last two decades, Kathleen has worked in government, private sector, and nonprofits. She advises all three sectors now, on policy, program, and systems solutions to a range of challenges affecting business and communities alike.
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In the past several years, Kathleen has held dedicated roles with the World Wildlife Fund's Private Sector Engagement team and the UN-founded Global Sustainable Tourism Council. She has helped multinational companies design and implement environmental, social, and governance programming and reporting, and deploy corporate investments in communities that strengthen local supply chains, including small business and workforce development for the benefit of all involved. Kathleen has worked extensively in travel and tourism, agriculture and agroprocessing, and retail, on operational improvements prioritizing local sourcing and economic development. Fundraising from public and private sources is an integral part of her work for clients across sectors.
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Previously, Kathleen served as an attorney for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, enforcing consumer protection law on corporate advertising, marketing, privacy and data security, and financial practices. She and FTC colleagues developed the regulatory framework governing corporate sustainability communications (the "Green Guides"), and Kathleen led FTC policymaking on claims involving renewable energy. Kathleen also practiced law at O'Melveny and Myers LLP, representing corporate clients in a variety of legal and regulatory matters in antitrust (mergers and acquisitions), consumer protection, and energy.
Education:
Ph.D., The University of the West Indies
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Professional Activities:
Member, National Committee, UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program
(St. Kitts and Nevis)
Member, National Steering Committee, GEF Small Grants Program
(St. Kitts and Nevis)
Joyelle Clarke
Partner (On Leave During Government Service)
Hon. Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke currently serves as Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment for the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. In addition to leading this national portfolio and serving as a Senator in the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis, Senator Clarke's Government background includes serving as one of the youngest women ever to head a Government office in 2012 -- the Department of Constituency Empowerment (federal agency charged with socioeconomic development and civic engagement). ​​
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Senator Clarke has been involved in social impact and livelihoods research and advocacy for over 15 years. As a Government official, community activist, and educator, Senator Clarke has focused on workforce development and specifically training and retooling individuals and entrepreneurs in the necessary skills for succeeding in new livelihoods. Given her special interest in climate justice and sustainable development, Senator Clarke has worked closely with women-led farm cooperatives, assisting with the transition from traditional farming to environmentally friendly, climate resilient methods.
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Senator Clarke's project work has ranged from female livelihoods support, community-based development initiatives, sustainable tourism, and environmental conservation, including nationwide climate change initiatives and reforestation programs, all the way down to localized and school-based environmental programs. She also is a long-standing youth advocate, encouraging environmental justice through activism and volunteerism.
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We are Agile.
We are Community.
We are Partners.