Ward and Smith recently welcomed the Leadership Raleigh 50 Class to its Raleigh office on March 19 for an in-depth look at government and politics.
The event was part of the program's Government and Politics session and offered participants a firsthand look at the complexities of policymaking, advocacy, and the intersection of the corporate and government worlds.
The day kicked off with a warm welcome from Luke Tompkins, a construction litigator with Ward and Smith, and a current member of the Leadership Raleigh 50 Class. Luke introduced seasoned government relations attorneys Whitney Campbell Christensen and Mike McIntyre.
Whitney, a government relations attorney with nearly 15 years of experience representing clients before the North Carolina General Assembly, shared insights from her extensive career navigating the intricacies of lawmaking and advocacy. She emphasized the importance of building relationships with policymakers and offered practical strategies for navigating the legislative process.
Joining her was Mike, Ward and Smith's Senior Advisor for Government Relations and Economic Development. As a former United States Congressman who served for nearly 20 years, he brought a unique perspective on the intersection of corporate interests and government actions. His extensive experience on Capitol Hill offered invaluable insights into how the federal government has numerous agencies that can help small businesses and how advocacy can influence outcomes.
Together, they offered their perspective on the challenges and strategies of effective advocacy, helping participants understand how to build relationships with policymakers and champion their causes in a complex legislative environment.
"We're proud to support programs like Leadership Raleigh that invest in the next generation of community leaders," said Whitney. "It was great to share our experience and hopefully give them a few new tools to work with."
Echoing Whitney's sentiments, Mike shared, "It was an honor to speak with such an engaged and passionate group of emerging leaders. Leadership Raleigh is an exceptional opportunity to learn how effective leadership can make a tangible impact.
Leadership Raleigh, run by the Raleigh Chamber, is designed to empower emerging leaders by providing them with the tools and connections to make a meaningful impact on the Triangle region. Through a series of site visits and discussions with leaders from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors, participants gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the area's future.
Luke, graduating from the program in June, will join the ranks of Tyler Russell and Devon Williams, two Ward and Smith attorneys who have previously completed Leadership Raleigh.