Shannon Meade is the executive director of Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute® (WPI®), the firm’s government relations and public policy arm. A highly seasoned government affairs professional, she advocates for the interests of employers to help define and shape workplace policy at the international, national and local levels.

Drawing on more than two decades working in senior roles on Capitol Hill and for prominent trade groups, Shannon develops strategic advocacy campaigns in partnership with clients to advance their legislative and regulatory priorities. Her deep policy experience, political acumen and vast relationships with government officials and industry associations allow her to build coalitions that protect and promote the collective interests of companies, trade associations, state chambers of commerce and business groups. Over the last several years, she has been at the forefront of major workplace policy debates and legislative victories, including efforts to defeat the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act at the national level and state-specific reforms such as the push to reform Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act.

In addition, Shannon helps clients navigate transformational workplace issues and developments that the law has yet to address but that employers are grappling with in real-time. She is actively engaged in advocacy efforts with key federal and state lawmakers related to such issues as artificial intelligence, automation, contingent workers and wage and hours laws. Shannon and WPI are also engaged in legislative efforts to address the skilled labor shortage in the U.S., including supporting legislation aimed at modernizing the nation’s workforce development and education system.

Prior to joining Littler, Shannon served as the vice president of public policy and legal advocacy for the National Restaurant Association, the leading business association for the restaurant and foodservice industry. She also served as the deputy director of the Restaurant Law Center, the legal arm of the Association, and worked extensively with the Association’s Educational Foundation on workforce development programs. Before that, Shannon was a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, chief of staff and legislative director for Congresswoman Kay Granger, and legislative counsel on the U.S. House Government Reform Committee.

* Not acting in the capacity of an attorney.