Alex Cahill (Class of 2020) serves as president of Darden’s Business and Public Policy Club, a student-led organization dedicated to promote cross-curricular education and discourse at the 
intersection of business and policy. Cahill authored today’s post, reflecting on a recent virtual panel featuring several influential local women serving in public office.
The Darden Business and Public Policy Club recently hosted a virtual Women in Public Office panel featuring former U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Charlottesville Vice Mayor and City Councilor Heather Hill (MBA ’07), and Virginia Delegates Sally Hudson and Danica Roem. The discussion, moderated by Professor Mary Margaret Frank, highlighted the reasons why each panelist launched her campaign and offered advice for students interested in civic engagement and public service.
The panelists were an impressive and diverse group of women representing various levels of state and local office. Former U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock is currently a resident scholar at the UVA Center for Politics and senior adviser at Baker Donelson. Comstock served two terms representing Virginia’s 1oth Congressional District and also served in the Virginia House of Delegates. She shared her experience of being pulled into public office by her family and mentors.
For Charlottesville City Councilor Heather Hill, the decision to run came from reflecting on professional and personal endeavors and finding that she was most energized by opportunities to make local impact. Prior to public office, Hill worked professionally as an independent business consultant, brand manager, process analyst and lead industrial engineer, and felt that her background could contribute uniquely to meaningful progress at the local level.
Delegate Sally Hudson spoke about how she felt a strong pull to public service. She was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in November 2019 and represents District 57, which consists of parts of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Hudson has been an assistant professor of public policy, education, and economics at UVA since 2016.
Delegate Danica Roem’s advice to students was to work hard to deliver results to constituents. Elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in November 2017 and 2019, Roem is the first out-and-seated transgender state legislator in American history. Prior to elected office, Roem worked as a journalist for more than 10 years and covered local, state and federal politics as well as issues ranging from infrastructure and development to sports and education.
The panelists all shared candid reflections on the challenges of elected office, including increased public scrutiny and balancing professional and personal commitments.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Darden Business and Public Policy Club (BPP). BPP’s mission is to promote cross-sector education and engage students in action-oriented discourse at the intersection of business and policy. Students from the UVA Batten Public Policy and Law Schools were also invited to attend the virtual panel.
BPP sponsors events, seminars and panels featuring outside speakers, promotes civic engagement, and serves as a resource for Darden students interested in cross-sector careers and policy discussions. This year, BPP ran voter registration drives; hosted a presidential primary preview with Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Super Tuesday watch party; co-sponsored an alumni career panel; and launched a new series of small group policy discussions called “Pub Policy.”
The BPP club is a meaningful part of my experience at Darden. I’ve had many opportunities to connect with classmates interested in the intersection of business and public policy, as well as bring unique programming and perspectives to Darden.
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