Susie Feliz was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA) on August 23, 2022, following unanimous confirmation by the Senate under the Biden-Harris Administration. As the leader of the office responsible for managing the Department of Commerce’s relationship with Congress, Assistant Secretary Feliz served as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Commerce on all matters before Congress, as well as the Department’s outreach to the nation’s governors, mayors, and tribal leaders. Ms. Feliz also served on the Secretary of Commerce’s Leadership Team and plays a key role in helping the Biden-Harris Administration implement historic economic initiatives. As such, she oversaw developing and implementing strategies to advance the Department's legislative initiatives and articulates the Department's position on legislation proposed by Congress to key congressional and intergovernmental stakeholders. Additionally, Ms. Feliz guided OLIA’s facilitation of the appearance of Department witnesses at congressional hearings, coordinated the Department's responses to congressional committee requests, and participated in the Senate confirmation process for the Department’s nominees.

Assistant Secretary Feliz has dedicated her career to public service for the last two decades. Notably, she served as a senior staff member in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, including as an aide to former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY); and as legislative director to Representatives Joe Baca (CA-43), Al Green (TX-09) and Karen Bass (CA-37). Ms. Feliz previously served as Vice President for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the National Urban League, a community-based, civil rights organization dedicated to the economic empowerment of underserved communities.  She was instrumental in securing the National Urban League’s economic priorities in legislative proposals and building effective strategic partnerships within the private sector, trade associations, and other civil rights and racial justice organizations. As a result, she brings an in-depth understanding of how public policy is formulated, a track record of bipartisanship, and an extensive network that will serve the needs of Congress, governors, mayors, and tribal governments at the Department of Commerce.

Assistant Secretary Feliz holds a Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Denver. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and their two sons.