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Simone Hall Wood ’06

The Alan R. Craig Endowed Scholarship Committee

  • Mark and Ann Baiada
  • Barbara Caldwell
  • Michael Carter ’91
  • David Craig
  • Ian Craig
  • Julia de la Torre
  • Larry Leverett ’91
  • Fred ’65 and Caroline Brunt Moriuchi ’66
  • Anastasia Pozdniakova ’96
 

Senior Law Clerk, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Simone Hall Wood moved to Washington, DC two weeks after graduating from the University of Virginia for what she thought would be a short- term job before returning to school. “I was always interested in politics and public policy, but knew very little about how those interests might translate in my professional life,” Simone said. “It turns out, this first job exposed me to some great mentorship early on, and several years later led to a dream job working on Capitol Hill in a U.S. Senate office.”

In the Senate, Simone served in the Office of Senator Cory Booker (NJ) and later on the Senate Commerce Committee. “In both roles I worked on communications and technology policy, which included improving access to broadband, public safety communications, and consumer protection laws,” Simone said. “Outside the Senate, I remained active on the political side through volunteering and other efforts to help local and national political campaigns. After recently graduating law school [at Georgetown University], I now work at a law firm in a communications regulatory practice where I am still active in government affairs and advocacy.”

Simone recalled that MFS imparted values that have stayed with her. “I think the value of service, instilled throughout my time at MFS, was a big driver in my early interest in government and public service,” she said. “My career has taken many twists and turns, but the recurring theme throughout has been the pull to be a part of something bigger than myself. I am grateful for my years at MFS for helping guide me toward this passion.”

My MPE Memory (2004): “I have great memories of the Mock Primary Election and can definitely credit that experience with getting me excited about the political process…Getting to watch your classmates transform into candidates and debate the issues was an engaging experience that helped bring to life the process playing out in real life that, understandably, can feel quite distant to those not immersed in politics.”