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

Program Agenda

12:00 PM Registration Opens – Lunch Provided

12:30 PM Official Program Start Time

12:30 – 12:35 PM Welcome and Introduction

Diego Añez, Executive Director, WITA Academy; Managing Director, Washington International Trade Association (University of Georgia)

Kenneth I Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, Washington International Trade Association (WITA) (M.A. New York University, B.A. University of Massachusetts)

12:35 – 1:10 PM Career Pathways Conversation

Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President, U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft (Morehouse College & Temple University – James E. Beasley School of Law)

Jamila Thompson, Chief of Staff, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (Goucher College & SOAS University of London)

Moderator: Kenneth I. Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, Washington International Trade Association (WITA) (M.A. New York University, B.A. University of Massachusetts)

1:10 – 1:25 PM Student Q&A with Fred and Jamila (Moderated by Kenneth Levinson) 

1:30 PM Event Close

LOCATION

Frederick Douglass 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

Jamila Thompson is the Senior Advisor and acting Chief of Staff to the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who is the chief negotiator, spokesperson, and advisor to the President on U.S. trade and investment policy, a member of the Cabinet, and leader of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, an agency within the Executive Office of the President.

Ms. Thompson previously spent nearly two decades working on Capitol Hill, most recently as chief of staff to Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District and as deputy chief of staff for U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-GA). She previously worked as a legislative assistant for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and as a volunteer coordinator and translator for various non-profit organizations. Ms. Thompson also served on the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs in Washington, D.C. and is a senior fellow and mentor with Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership.

In 2015, Goucher College named Ms. Thompson as one of the inaugural recipients of its Distinguished Alumnae and Alumni Award; she is also a graduate of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Ms. Thompson is a member of The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. An avid tennis player, she and her husband 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