A Journey in Public Service & Advocacy
Alumni Profile: Heather Wingate, L’93
Heather Wingate's journey from growing up in Lawrence, Kansas, to becoming the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Delta Airlines is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance and a strong foundation in law.
Wingate's connection to KU Law runs deep, rooted in her father's affiliation with the university's political science department. Having spent her childhood in various university towns due to her father's career, Lawrence became a permanent home. KU's allure, coupled with the comfort of familiarity, made it the natural choice for Wingate when she decided to pursue higher education.
Her interest in law emerged from her political science major and a particularly impactful internship through Professor Burdett Loomis's program. The experience of interning for Sen. Bob Dole in Washington D.C. fueled Wingate's desire to contribute to public policy.
“That's when I got the bug,” said Wingate. “It made sense for me to get a law degree just to hone the writing skills, the analytical strengths and competencies that you need to be in the public policy space.”
During law school, Wingate discovered her passion for administrative law, driven by an inspiring professor, Sid Shapiro, and a fascination with the intricacies of policy-making.
“Learning how to think about the different levers of power and how it is all balanced out in our government structure and how those policies, whether it's regulation or legislation, have very direct impact on not just individuals that live in this country but also companies, business and the economy, just fascinated me,” said Wingate.
Her original goal wasn’t necessarily to practice law but to use the skills acquired in law school to influence public policy. This perspective laid the foundation for a career focused on the intersection of law, policy and advocacy.
Wingate's career path showcases her commitment to public service, including roles on Capitol Hill, serving as Chief of Staff to Sen. Sam Brownback, and eventually as the Special Assistant to President Bush for Legislative Affairs during the historic events following September 11, 2001.
“It was a prolific time for legislating, said Wingate. “We had multiple Rose Garden signing ceremonies for two tax bills that were enacted, the Trade Promotion Authority, the USA Patriot Act and creation of the Department of Homeland Security in response to September 11th and the No Child Left Behind education bill. It was fabulous experience and one I’ll always cherish.”
Wingate's journey led her to roles in highly regulated industries, including financial services and aviation, where there's a lot of opportunity and need to influence the policy space. Thinking back to her law school days, she’s been able to apply what she learned in that administrative law class to her various roles working for corporate America. Above all, Wingate remains focused on being a passionate advocate for companies she believes in.
“I want to wake up every day and feel really great about what I'm working for, whether that's a company or an elected official,” said Wingate. “I just feel so grateful to have the chance to represent companies like MetLife, Citigroup and now Delta.”
Reflecting on her achievements, Wingate is most proud of serving on the leadership team that navigated MetLife through challenging regulatory changes with the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act. Ultimately, they succeeded in getting MetLife out of a non-bank SIFI designation which would have required them to hold bank-like capital even though they weren't bank; they were a life insurance company.
“It was a win that nobody thought we would achieve, and it was a very dynamic strategy that we had to deploy to get it done,” said Wingate. “I hope to have another win like that before I'm done with my career.”
Having been the beneficiary of those who were willing to mentor her, she is now at a stage of her life where she has the opportunity to mentor younger people. In her current role at Delta Airlines, Wingate leads a team of 23. Working with so many talented people is what she finds most rewarding because it forces her to continue to grow as a leader and sharpen her own skills.
Wingate's journey, from Lawrence to the corridors of power in Washington, exemplifies the impact of a strong legal education. Her commitment to public service, resilience in the face of challenges and passion for advocacy make her a role model for aspiring lawyers. Wingate's story serves as an inspiration for the KU Law community and beyond.
This article appeared in print in the 2023 KU Law Magazine.