Shaharazade Thompkins Lewis

Shaharazade Thompkins Lewis is a federal outreach, labor compliance, public policy, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement professional with nearly 20 years of experience. She began her career working in mental health, assisting mentally ill and chemically abusive clients in reentering the workforce by teaching job application and interview skills. Noticed by the federal government during a job fair scouting trip, she transitioned into roles focused on research, investigations, and outreach. Lewis holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology from City University of New York Hunter College and a master's in public administration from CUNY Baruch College School of Public and International Affairs, with a dual concentration in policy analysis and evaluation. In her current position with the U.S. Department of Labor, she serves as National Alliance Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Community of Practice for Outreach Professionals, establishing partnerships with industry CEOs to promote safe and healthful work environments. Her notable achievements include over 10 awards, five from agencies and five top awards from the Secretary of Labor for professional excellence and worker protection. She has also provided advisory support to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. A Bronx native, Lewis draws on her background to maintain authenticity and grit in her work, and she volunteers with St. Jude.