UCI alum Ha Nguyen will discuss policy-making in our nation's capital and the importance of communications, building coalitions and trust, removing roadblocks, and decision-making.

Ha Nguyen is currently Chief of Staff at BSA | The Software Alliance - an association representing the interests of the software industry - serving as a key partner and representative for internal and external affairs for the President and CEO and contributing to the development and implementation of strategic and policy goals for the organization.

Nguyen has over seven years of U.S. federal government experience, focusing on issues including homeland security, trade security, intellectual property enforcement, international relations, and transportation security. Nguyen served two tours at the White House, first with the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator’s Office and subsequently with the National Security Council as the Director of Aviation Security. Prior to BSA, she held the position of Chief of Staff and Executive Advisor in the Office of Global Strategies at the Transportation Security Administration where she spearheaded procedures and process improvements for the office, and coordinated and advised on key international aviation security initiatives.

Nguyen is a native of Montreal, Canada. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and bachelor’s degrees in international studies and music from the University of California, Irvine.