WASHINGTON (November 12, 2025) – Holland & Knight is continuing the growth of its Education and Local Government Regulatory Teams with the addition of Kalila Hines Winters, a former senior advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Ms. Winters will be a senior public affairs advisor in the Firm's Public Policy & Regulation Group in Washington, D.C., where she will advise local governments on matters related to federal policy and funding, as well as educational institutions. Her past experience in local government includes acting as a liaison with mayoral administrations and governing bodies of municipalities.
"Kalila has vast experience with some of the most important issues facing colleges and universities, which makes her a valued addition to our Education Team," said Paul Stimers, co-leader of Holland & Knight's Federal Government Affairs Practice. "Additionally, her longstanding relationships with municipal officials and strategic insight into federal and local dynamics will strengthen the Firm's ability to support our local government clients in securing resources and advancing community-focused initiatives."
Ms. Winters served as an appointee focusing on White House initiatives with the U.S. Department of Education from 2023 to 2025. During that time, she managed the department's partnership with leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Black Americans, Native Americans and Tribal colleges, and Hispanics, as well as the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She also led a team spearheading the cross-agency effort to complete the Biden Administration's "Equity of Action" plan, which aimed to identify and address structural inequities in concert with the White House's Domestic Policy Council.
Prior to that position, Ms. Winters was appointed as special assistant to the Education Department's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs to co-manage the office's role in a range of policy areas, including Title I, civil rights, COVID-19 spending packages, congressionally funded community projects, and budget and appropriations. She also worked as the director of operations in the office of U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) from 2019 to 2021. Ms. Blunt Rochester is now a U.S. senator. Prior to her work in federal government, Ms. Winters acted as legislative paralegal for the City of Wilmington, Delaware.
Ms. Winters earned a M.A. in Public Policy, Law and Political Management from Regent University and a B.S. from the University of Delaware.