SPEAKER

Erica D. Woods

Director, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs

Dutchie

Ms. Erica Woods joined Dutchie in September 2021 as the Director of Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs. Ms. Woods is responsible for all aspects of company federal and state government affairs strategy, including evaluating risks and opportunities, setting short and long-term priorities, and using diverse tactics such as direct lobbying, thought leadership, and external partnerships to advance company goals. Prior to Dutchie, Ms. Woods was the Head of Public Policy at Facebook from 2018-2021, where she helped craft policy positions on a range of matters including data privacy, geolocation, and biometrics. Ms. Woods also helped manage state and local outreach for various Facebook programming initiatives, such as the Facebook Community Boost Program. Ms. Woods also specialized in Attorneys General outreach and engagement. 

From 2015-2018, Ms. Woods served as counsel for the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. Working for Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat-MS), Ms. Woods focused her practice on overseeing and monitoring the Department of Homeland Security. During her time with the Committee, Ms. Woods investigated numerous USSS security breaches and personnel matters, helped evaluate Department budget requests, and drafted legislation designed to support the Department’s Unity of Effort Campaign and acquisition reform. From 2014-2015, Ms. Woods served the Obama Administration as a political appointee at the Department of Homeland Security as an Oversight Attorney. There, Ms. Woods drafted responses to congressional oversight requests and prepared Department officials for testimony before Congressional Committees.



Ms. Woods began her legal career at Bryan Cave LLP where she practiced Bankruptcy Litigation, Banking, and Real Estate. Ms. Woods is originally from Memphis, TN. She completed her undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and law studies at Washington University of St. Louis School of Law.