Pathways To Opportunity Lunch & Learn: Careers in International Affairs, Business and Trade

LOCATION

Frederick Douglas Hall Room 221
2419 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20059

Featured Speakers:

Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President, U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft

Fred Humphries is Corporate Vice President of U.S Government Affairs for Microsoft. Under his leadership, U.S. Government Affairs provides expertise in policy, outreach, political engagement, and government affairs that helps advance the company’s advocacy goals.

Humphries is Microsoft’s chief public policy advocate internally and externally on all aspects of federal, state and civic affairs. He sets the company’s strategy and government affairs outreach on the most pressing policy issues facing the technology industry including cloud computing, taxes, privacy, trade, cyber security, education, immigration, and emerging technologies. He also communicates with policymakers on Microsoft’s leadership role in fostering economic and job opportunities in the U.S.

In 2000, Humphries joined Microsoft as Director of State Governmental Affairs, building a team responsible for outreach to our nation’s governors, mayors and local elected officials in every state capital. In that position, Humphries integrated on-the-ground state advocacy work into Microsoft’s overall corporate strategy, in coordination with the public sector, policy and lobbying teams. He was promoted to Microsoft’s Managing Director of U.S. Government Affairs in 2009 and Corporate Vice President in 2015.

Humphries received a J.D. from Temple University School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from Morehouse College.

He proudly serves on the boards of numerous non-profit and public service organizations including Morehouse College, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Information Technology Industry Council, The Information Technology Industry Foundation, Internet Association, National Association of Manufacturers, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Martha’s Table Leadership Council, Software.org, Ford’s Theatre Board of Governors and the USTR Trade Advisory Committee on Africa.

Jamila Thompson, Chief of Staff, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President

Jamila Thompson is the Chief of Staff to the U.S. Trade Representative. Most recently, she served as the Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative. Ms. Thompson previously served as chief of staff to Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District, and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Representative John Lewis (GA). In addition to managing and developing the office’s policy team and operations, she was directly responsible for appropriations, budget, trade, tax, foreign affairs, human, civil, and voting rights, oversight, and other policy areas. 

Prior to joining Congressman Lewis’ office, Ms. Thompson worked as a legislative assistant for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). Before coming to Capitol Hill in 2001, she was a volunteer coordinator and translator for various non-profit organizations. 

Ms. Thompson previously served on the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Affairs in Washington, D.C. and is a senior fellow with Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership. In Spring 2015, Goucher College named Jamila as one of the inaugural recipients of its Distinguished Alumnae and Alumni Award; she is also an alumna of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). An avid tennis player, she and her husband, Brandon Whitehurst, reside in Washington, D.C.

Hosted in Partnership with

The mission of the WITA Academy™ is to make trade education and career opportunities in international trade accessible to communities in the United States and around the world, and to make the trade community itself more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

The WITA Academy works with trade leaders in businesses, law, academia, NGOs, embassies and the U.S. Government to help stakeholders, students, and others to better understand and navigate the U.S. and global trade policy apparatus.

Thank you to our WITA Academy Sponsors

Law Partner Sponsor