Claire Thomas-Daoulas: Advising Across Borders

Claire Thomas-Daoulas is a 2011 graduate from the dual Masters program between Sciences Po and London School of Economics. She graduated with a Masters in European Affairs from Sciences Po. In the following interview, she discusses her background in European knowledge and how she has applied it to advise clients in various public affairs industries around the globe.

Claire Thomas-Daoulas is a Partner at Brunswick Group, currently transitioning from their San Francisco office to Paris. She graduated from the dual Masters degree program between Sciences Po and the London School of Economics in 2011, with a Masters in European Affairs and European Political Economy. She completed her undergraduate degree at Sciences Po as well, and pursued these degrees because of the breadth of topics that Sciences Po offers.

Claire learned the basics of the European Union at Sciences Po. “It was a very solid introduction to European Affairs.” she says. “It served me well when I went into public affairs in Brussels. It gave me the foundations to enter this field.” After graduation from the dual degree, Claire worked as a Public Affairs and Strategic Communications intern at APCO Worldwide in Paris for six months. She then moved to APCO’s Brussels office, where she worked as a Project Assistant and Senior Consultant. Here, she worked on government affairs, lobbying, and European Union regulation and legislation. “This is when what I learned at Sciences Po became directly applicable. To really understand the E.U. institutions, decision making processes, and negotiations was very useful.”

Claire then began her work for Brunswick Group in 2015 as an Associate and Director, remaining in Brussels until 2019. She then moved to Brunswick Group’s San Francisco office, where she worked as a Director and Partner.

During her time in Brussels, Claire focused heavily on European Affairs, policy, and regulatory work. “I watch what the European institutions are doing and what the upcoming regulations are,” she says. Her move to Brunswick entailed a heavier focus on the technology sector, such as analyzing the reform of the copyright regime and privacy regulations. She advises clients on what these issues mean for them and their businesses, and how changes should be implemented. “Changes come from legislation, but they have a direct impact on what internet providers and technology companies do and how they work,” she says.

While her job entails occasional lobbying, more often than not her work is about creating a shared objective with regulatory institutions and bridging the gap between private businesses and public institutions. Claire has also worked in the communications field, as political regulations are surrounded by media activity.

Her shift to Brunswick’sSan Francisco office cemented her focus on the technology sector. Her knowledge of European technology regulations was a valuable asset to her clients out West. She advised clients on political risk and how to navigate technology regulations cropping up in the European Union and Washington D.C..

Claire comments on the necessary skills that Sciences Po granted her. “In my field, you have to dive in and get to know industries really quickly. Sciences Po equips you really well for that, to be able to quickly understand a new topic and grasp the most important information,” she says. “That kind of intellectual gymnastics is something that I do not think you learn anywhere else.”

She also speaks to the value of presenting and oral skills students gain at Sciences Po: “The ability to synthesize information and present it in a way that is clear, is incredibly valuable.”

Claire speaks highly of the public affairs industry. It lies at the intersection of business and politics, and she recommends public affairs highly as an avenue for students graduating from Sciences Po. “Be open to working in the private sector. Make use of the Sciences Po network… There is not just one path. Sciences Po gives you the opportunity to look at dynamic career paths, so take that opportunity,” she says.

Claire is currently on maternity leave and is looking forward to moving to Brunswick Group’s Paris office once she returns to work.