WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced the appointment of Jamila Thompson as Chief of Staff. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Thompson served as Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the United States Trade Representative. Ms. Thompson’s extensive experience at USTR and as a senior Congressional staff member will help drive the agency’s work in championing working communities and delivering more opportunities for all segments of society.
“Jamila has been an indispensable advisor, colleague, and teammate since my first day as the U.S. Trade Representative,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “From our time together in Congress until now, Jamila has been the epitome of wise counsel, sound judgment, and invaluable compassion. As USTR continues to use trade to bring about economic justice and drive inclusive economic growth, Jamila’s wealth of experience, including as a senior staff member to the late Congressman John Lewis, will help anchor our work in the principles of fairness and equity for all. She will also continue to prioritize the health and well-being of USTR as an institution and invest in the growth and development of our people, as she has been doing all this year. I could not be prouder to have her as my chief of staff.”
“On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I’m proud to congratulate Jamila Thompson on her appointment to Chief of Staff for the U.S. Trade Representative. Jamila has served on Capitol Hill for many years, as part of the CBC family, advancing the issues and priorities of our members. She served on the staff of Congresswoman Barbara Lee, handling issues like foreign affairs and trade, before joining the team of Congressman John Lewis, where she eventually became his Deputy Chief of Staff and served as the Chief of Staff for his district after his passing. We look forward to working with her in this new role,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04).
"Jamila Thompson's appointment as USTR’s permanent chief of staff marks a pivotal moment in advancing equity in the Biden-Harris administration. Her dedication to inclusive economic growth and trade policies, particularly for marginalized communities, including Black women, is evident in her commitment to equity both domestically and across the diaspora," said Jessica Fulton, Vice President of Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. “Jamila’s extensive experience will undoubtedly help steer USTR toward greater balance and equity in its economic justice initiatives. The Joint Center looks forward to building on our partnership with Jamila, whose leadership will foster the continued success of USTR.”
Biography
Jamila Thompson is the incoming Chief of Staff to the U.S. Trade Representative. Most recently, she served as the Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative. Ms. Thompson previously served as chief of staff to Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District, and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Representative John Lewis (GA). In addition to managing and developing the office’s policy team and operations, she was directly responsible for appropriations, budget, trade, tax, foreign affairs, human, civil, and voting rights, oversight, and other policy areas.
Prior to joining Congressman Lewis’ office, Ms. Thompson worked as a legislative assistant for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). Before coming to Capitol Hill in 2001, she was a volunteer coordinator and translator for various non-profit organizations.
Ms. Thompson previously served on the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Affairs in Washington, D.C. and is a senior fellow with Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership. In Spring 2015, Goucher College named Jamila as one of the inaugural recipients of its Distinguished Alumnae and Alumni Award; she is also an alumna of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). An avid tennis player, she and her husband, Brandon Whitehurst, reside in Washington, D.C.
###
