Gia brings a wealth of experience in government relations, public administration, and education advocacy to her role as a principal on the Government Relations team. With a background deeply rooted in fostering collaboration and implementing policy change, Gia has consistently demonstrated her commitment to driving impactful change at various levels of government and within educational institutions.
Prior to joining Michael Best Strategies, Gia served as a senior public service administrator/director of legislative affairs and community relations & resources at the Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission. In this role, she played a pivotal role in developing, writing, and implementing policies to ensure accountability and regulation while providing direction for program operations. Gia's strategic leadership was instrumental in managing program budgets, seeking out funding opportunities, and expanding support for program efforts.
As a subject matter expert in human rights advocacy, special education, and the rights of overlooked communities, Gia forged collaborative relationships with public and private human service agencies, as well as local, state, and federal counterparts. She effectively represented the Commission as its official spokesperson in legislative committees and administrative hearings, driving favorable outcomes and advocating for policies to maximize outreach and community integration.