Addressing Policy through an Empathetic and Ethical Approach

Director of Government Relations, The Health Management Academy (Washington, D.C.)

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Describe the work you do today: 

As the director of government relations for The Academy Advisors of The Health Management Academy. The Academy Advisors is a private cooperative membership offered by The Health Management Academy that brings together 20-30 of the largest domestic integrated health systems to drive high-impact healthcare policy and reform. I spearhead public policy and lobbying efforts for health systems spanning 30 states and 2.5 billion annual discharges. Before joining The Academy Advisors, I led the advocacy efforts for the Autoimmune Association, which successfully resulted in the establishment of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (OADR) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which was signed into the 2022 appropriations omnibus bill by President Biden. 

How has your HDS degree influenced your career journey? 

My HDS education has significantly influenced my career in government relations by instilling a deep sense of service, ethics, and an understanding of human dignity, which I consistently carry into my work as a lobbyist, pastor, and teacher.  

At Morehouse College and HDS, I’ve developed a moral framework that emphasizes justice, equity, and compassion through my ministry at Beulah Baptist Church. These principles have shaped my advocacy efforts, particularly in healthcare policy, where I've fought for issues like prostate cancer research, workforce shortages, and the autoimmune disease office under the NIH. At the heart of a lot of policy decisions are ethical questions; I learned this at HDS. 

My role as both pastor and lobbyist allowed me to bridge two worlds: offering spiritual guidance and moral clarity while also navigating the complexities of policy and legislation. This dual identity helps me address public policy with an empathetic and ethical approach, advocating for marginalized communities and fostering coalitions across political divides. My HDS education and background have helped me view policy not just as technical and political matters but as ethical obligations, where the well-being of individuals and communities is paramount. 

Finally, HDS influenced my approach to leadership, allowing me to bring a pastoral care aspect into relationships with lawmakers, stakeholders, and the communities I serve. Whether in the pulpit or a congressional office, my work is part of a larger calling to serve people and champion justice, echoing the teachings of faith and ethical responsibility. 

What career advice would you offer to current HDS students? 

For current Harvard Divinity School students, I'd offer the following career advice based on your own journey and the interplay between theology and public policy: 

1. Embrace a multifaceted career. Your theological education provides a unique lens to approach various fields beyond traditional ministry roles. Whether in government relations, healthcare, nonprofit work, or corporate advocacy, your background in ethics, social justice, and human dignity positions you to impact sectors in need of compassionate leadership. Be open to careers that combine your theological foundation with public service, policy, or activism.
2. Cultivate a strong ethical framework.
3. Network across sectors. Building relationships in both religious and secular spaces can expand your influence and effectiveness. 
4. Advocate for the marginalized.
5. Use your platform for public discourse.
6. Be curious and yet focus on what you might want to do as a career post-HDS. Start thinking about next steps early on in your HDS career.