Katie Payne, L'09

Katie's headshot

Current Title and Employer: Director of Government Relations, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)

Current Location: Richmond, Virginia

How would you describe your job? The VMFA is both a major art museum and a state agency (an unusual combination), so my job includes working with local, state and federal government partners to raise awareness of the museum’s mission, advocating for increased public funding, and facilitating partnerships with non-governmental entities and foreign governments.

How did you obtain your job? I was always interested in government relations and pursued summer associate positions at firms that had lobbying practices. I ended up joining Williams Mullen’s Government Group out of law school, and enjoyed working there for close to 10 years. I loved the variety of clients that I worked with there, which included VMFA’s Foundation. When I became aware that the museum’s longtime Director of Government Relations was retiring, I inquired about going in-house and working exclusively for VMFA. To my delight, they were interested in hiring me! I have been at the museum for just over three years, and am loving both the work and the work/life balance that it affords.

What makes you passionate about your work? At both Williams Mullen and VMFA, the variety of the work makes every day different and exciting. Sometimes I am just a liaison to government officials - coordinating visits, tours, etc. But more often than not, I am helping draft budget requests and legislation that will directly impact the museum. My job has also included some pretty exciting travel (pre-pandemic), including a trip to the National Museum of China to help open a traveling exhibit from VMFA.

How did your Richmond Law experience prepare you for the work you do now? Law school prepared me for my career in many ways, but primarily by teaching me how to do legal research and to draft legislation. Even things that I never thought would come in handy for a government relations career - like Moot Court - have proven to be useful when testifying before a legislative committee.

What are 3 pieces of advice you’d offer to current students interested in an alternative or emerging career path like yours?

    1. If you are interested in going into government relations, I would first give some serious thought about whether your personality fits the profession. Most successful government relations professionals are extroverts who thrive on the many (many!) social interactions that are required by the job. If being around people drains you, you might want to look for something more policy-based.
    2. Keep in mind that the government relations field is pretty small and collegial - the key is to remember that you will be working with another lobbyist in the morning on one issue and against them that same day on another.
    3. Finally, I have found it helpful to keep in mind that politics are cyclical and that you can’t go wrong by treating every government official you encounter with respect. You never know where they will end up!