From Annapolis to Washington to Ottawa, Michelle Sara King is the global government affairs and government relations specialist of choice for many clients looking to navigate the legislative and regulatory maze at the state, federal and international levels.
As president and CEO of King Consults, the 38-year-old Dupont Circle resident works with a range of clients advocating for various causes. Her firm focuses on intellectual property, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), technology policy, trade policy, health policy and leadership training.
Hailing from the Boston area, King holds a B.A. in biology from Bryn Mawr College and a law degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. She moved to Washington in 1998 for a job in health care consulting.
For nearly eight years, she managed government relations at the International Trademark Association.
Her Jewish communal involvement includes helping start the Young Professionals Board of the Anti-Defamation League, of which she is currently a board member; serving on the AJC ACCESS DC board of directors; and volunteering at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. Outside of the Jewish community, she works with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser on the mayor’s She Helps Engage DC volunteer program for women and girls.
We recently caught up with King to talk about trademarks, visiting Germany and golfing.
Tell us about your consulting firm.
King Consults focuses on government affairs and advocacy internationally, federally and at the state and local level. Everything from fundraising to strategic planning as well as grassroots advocacy and consulting on how to grow government affairs programs, how to take government affairs programs globally and how to represent a global entity in the United States space and work closely as well in the global world.
What’s something about trademarks or intellectual property that most people don’t know that you find interesting?
Trademarks are closely tied to the growth and support of the global economy. They are a way to protect creative expression.
What was it like visiting Germany as part of the Germany Close Up Fellowship?
Germany Close Up fellowships are run by the Germany Close Up Foundation which bring American Jews to Germany for about two weeks to learn and promote interfaith dialogue between Americans and Germans, both Jewish and not. I was in Berlin and Erfurt and Potsdam. It was a wonderful experience to learn more about Berlin and Erfurt and meet and chat with young professionals as well as diplomats and government officials about what life is like in Germany today, fostering dialogue and [learning about] the growth of the Jewish community in those areas as well as other communities.
What is your favorite thing about living in Washington?
The cultural opportunities are amazing. I love the museums. I’m a member of a couple, including The Phillips Collection, and I also go to a lot of the Smithsonian art museums. I love the cultural opportunities. I love the political dialogue. I’m a political junkie and I facilitate a lot of policy discussions both professionally as well as personally. I love the arts and I love politics, and this is one of the best places to live for both arts and politics.
Do you have a favorite hobby?
I love to travel. I love to read. Recently I began golfing and am still getting better. I’m a swimmer and I love live music. I saw a couple bands and I just like hanging and spending time with friends and family.
