2023
Senior Policy Advisor
INTERNATIONAL
Being uncomfortable isn’t easy but the career rewards can be priceless
Education: MPH, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University; BS, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University Company Name: Akin Industry: Law firm Company CEO: Kim Koopersmith Number of Employees: 1,800+ Your Location: Washington, DC Words you live by: “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” –Robert Browning Who is your personal hero? My father. He always taught me the value of discipline and hard work. What book are you reading? Chip War by Chris Miller What was your first job? Customer service call center for my local utility company Favorite charity: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and World Learning Interests/Hobbies: Travel with family, great restaurants and a good show Family: My wife and I are the proud parents of a 2-year-old son
40
2023 Fourth Quarter
The ability to be comfortable with being uncomfortable has been essential to my professional success. I believe in constantly stretching myself as a professional. This includes taking on new assignments, seeking out new relationships, acquiring new skills and valuing new and different experiences. I must confess this does not come natural for me, however, I appreciate the value it provides me as a young, black professional. I have always believed success in business and life comes with the ability to hold to your core values while consistently evolving through acquiring new skills, relationships and knowledge. This process of evolution can be unsettling, and it often opens the door for doubt. However, my experience has proven its value time and time again. That uncomfortable feeling often accompanies professional growth and fulfillment. Health care policy has been my professional focus since college. I started my career in Congress handling health care issues for the committee of primary jurisdiction on health care policy in the House of Representatives. My work on the Committee was professionally and personally rewarding and provided me the opportunity to play a key role in drafting and negotiating some of the most consequential federal health, drug, device and food policy of the last 15 years. After five years I was presented with the opportunity to serve as chief of staff for a member of Congress. I knew I would have less time to focus on health care policy in this new role. However, I would develop new skills through managing a team of policy, communications and political professionals. So, I took a leap of faith and leaned in. It was not a natural or comfortable transition for me, but it was a transition that I will never regret. Finally, my transition from government to being a non-lawyer at a global law firm was not comfortable, but I leaned into that as well. My area of focus has expanded. While I continue my health care policy work through engagement with clients in the health sector, I also work with clients in the life sciences, technology, energy/environment and telecommunications sectors. I am challenged every day and fortunate to have the ability to help clients on their strategic engagements with the White House and the U.S. Congress.
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AWARD
Virgil A. Miller