Arielle Thomas founded Holding the Pen to create the kind of conversations she wished existed—intimate, candid discussions with the women shaping consequential decisions across business and public policy.

As a government relations leader with experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and business, Arielle has spent her career navigating complex issues, building relationships, and working alongside leaders responsible for some of the most consequential decisions facing organizations today. Throughout that journey, she recognized a gap: while women are increasingly leading at the highest levels, there are few spaces dedicated to honest conversations about how they got there, how they navigate difficult decisions, and what leadership looks like behind closed doors.

Holding the Pen was created to fill that gap.

Through thoughtfully curated salons and conversations, Arielle brings together accomplished women in government relations and business — those building their path toward corporate executive leadership, and those holding the pen today — to share the defining moments, lessons, and perspectives behind success. Her goal is simple: to elevate the voices of women who have earned the trust to lead, inspire meaningful dialogue, and help the next generation of leaders better understand what it takes to shape decisions that matter.

Arielle currently serves as a Senior Manager of Government Relations at NEC Corporation of America, a multinational emerging technology company. She has been awarded and recognized for her advocacy efforts by the Security Industry Association and Women in Security Forum. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Women in Government Relations. She is a frequent speaker and moderator on issues at the intersection of technology, government relations, and leadership.