Nearly two years ago, Lauren Posey joined Mason’s Government and Community Relations (GCR) team as the Associate Director of State Government Relations. She came to Mason from the American Chemical Society, serving as the Director of Advocacy representing chemists and chemistry educators in Washington, D.C. for close to 14 years.
Since joining Mason, she’s worked in Richmond on Virginia’s Capitol Square. During the 2023 General Assembly session, she worked to secure increases in Mason’s operating budget, student financial aid, increases for faculty and staff salaries, critical deferred maintenance projects, and investments in our healthcare workforce programs.
As a public policy professional, “I love to be in ‘the room where it happens,’ so any day during the General Assembly session is exciting,” said Posey.
Lauren’s also crisscrossed the Commonwealth informing legislators about Mason’s impact beyond the Northern Virginia region specifically operating 27 Small Business Development Centers, building the healthcare workforce pipeline, and supporting the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program at Mason. She connects the Mason community, including faculty, staff, and students, to the legislature and administration.
As she navigates the ins and outs of negotiations, she taps into her superpower – finding silver linings. “Even in the most difficult situations, I find a silver lining to advocate Mason’s priorities,” she asserted. “If I wasn’t good at this, working in public policy and politics would be a lot harder!”
In January 2024, Lauren begins a new chapter of her Mason experience as the Director of State Government Relations. “I am honored and excited to be stepping into the role of Director. It is a challenge and opportunity that I am looking forward to,” Posey declared.
When she’s not on Capitol Square in Richmond, Lauren is traveling with her husband and children visiting parents and family in different corners of the country, from mid-coast Maine to New Orleans, Louisiana.
To learn more about Lauren, visit her bio.
