Jamal Habibi
Washington
Summary
Public policy professional with 10+ years of experience in public, private and non-profit sectors. Policy expertise includes agriculture, appropriations, financial services, housing, trade, and telecommunications.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Staff, Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
04.2023 - Current
- Promoted to Chief of Staff for TFAA, which oversees USDA's trade and food security portfolios
- Briefs USDA leadership on key international trade barriers and tariffs that impact U.S
- Products
- Advises and supports USDA leadership during international trade missions and United Nations events
- Most recently staffed Secretary Vilsack during bilateral trade and climate meetings with France, United Kingdom, Chile, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates at COP28
- Manages annual budget, correspondence, personnel, and operations for TFAA
- Leads strategic initiatives to improve employee engagement and morale
- Provides guidance to USDA Communications team on press and media-related inquiries.
Chief of Staff, Rural Housing Service (RHS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
01.2021 - 04.2023
- Appointed to Chief of Staff for RHS, which manages USDA's housing and facilities loan portfolios
- Staffed Secretary Vilsack during Cabinet-level meetings on foreclosure and eviction moratoriums
- Implemented American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provisions which included payment relief options for rural homeowners and tenants
- Provided technical assistance to Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees
- Worked with USDA's legal team to identify flexibilities in foreclosure and eviction statutes
- Served as USDA's lead on the White House Interagency working group on housing, which led initiatives to expand homeownership and rental opportunities for low to moderate income families
- Collaborated with federal colleagues at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and U.S
- Department of Housing and Urban Development Agency on joint initiatives and projects
- Managed annual budget, correspondence, personnel, and operations for RHS.
Senior Associate of Public Policy
Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)
03.2019 - 01.2021
- Co-led public policy agenda for Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) industry
- Developed OFN's position on the CFPB's "Ability to Repay/Qualified Mortgage" rule
- Developed letters expressing support or opposition to federal legislative or regulatory proposals
- Shared industry recommendations on reforms to the Dodd-Frank Act
- Led stakeholder advocacy efforts to Congress that extended USDA's Community Facilities Relending Program until Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
Manager of Government Affairs
National Parent-Teacher Association
06.2018 - 11.2018
- Led the development of the association's public policy agenda and priorities
- Advised leadership on federal legislation that impacted the education, safety, and health of students
- Drafted letters and public comments to Congress and federal agencies
- Represented the association during events with Members of Congress and key education stakeholders.
Manager of Public Policy & Government Affairs
Discovery, Inc.
05.2017 - 06.2018
- Advised senior executives on federal legislation related to antitrust and telecommunications issues
- Provided weekly congressional and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updates
- Coordinated Discovery's 2018-2019 congressional engagement strategy
- Composed briefing memorandums for CEO David Zaslav in preparation for meetings with Congress.
Outreach Director
U.S. Department of the Treasury
02.2016 - 01.2017
- Led external and stakeholder engagement for myRA, President Obama's retirement savings program
- Drafted financial policy memorandums for Secretary Lew and other senior U.S
- Treasury officials
- Developed communications plan, which led to a 25% increase in program participation
- Led partnership development with eight federal agencies that amplified myRA program.
Special Assistant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10.2013 - 02.2016
- Advised the Under Secretary on Farm Bill program implementation and international trade issues
- Organized international trade roundtables with key farmer and rancher stakeholder groups
- Edited testimonies and speeches for the Under Secretary's external speaking engagements
- Collaborated with career staff leaders to address policy, operational or scheduling issues.
Research Assistant (Temporary)
Business Forward
02.2013 - 06.2013
- Conducted research on clean energy, cyber security, immigration reform, and foreign policy
- Supported company principals in planning and executing policy roundtables
- Managed client and stakeholder lists for Director of Programming.
Field Organizer
Obama for America - Florida
02.2012 - 12.2012
- Led phone-banking, voter registration, canvassing and community outreach activities in North Miami
- Wrote daily memorandums to Regional Field Director on objective progression and field updates
- Staffed several campaign events featuring Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Languages/Cultures of Asia
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI12.2011
Study abroad program - Political Science, International Relations, and Regional Conflict
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel06.2011
Skills
Public Policy
Communication
Organizational Management
Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Planning
- Report Writing
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Persian
Limited Working
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Chief of Staff, Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
04.2023 - Current
Chief of Staff, Rural Housing Service (RHS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
01.2021 - 04.2023
Senior Associate of Public Policy
Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)
03.2019 - 01.2021
Manager of Government Affairs
National Parent-Teacher Association
06.2018 - 11.2018
Manager of Public Policy & Government Affairs
Discovery, Inc.
05.2017 - 06.2018
Outreach Director
U.S. Department of the Treasury
02.2016 - 01.2017
Special Assistant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
10.2013 - 02.2016
Research Assistant (Temporary)
Business Forward
02.2013 - 06.2013
Field Organizer
Obama for America - Florida
02.2012 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Languages/Cultures of Asia
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Study abroad program - Political Science, International Relations, and Regional Conflict
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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