Jennifer
Wade
Leadership Role
Deputy Director - Office of Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs
Jen Wade serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs (OPLIA) in the Office of the Commissioner. In this role, she partners with the Deputy Commissioner and OPLIA sub-offices to advance FDA's policy and legislative priorities through engagements with the U.S. Congress and domestic, interagency, and global partners. Recognized as a trusted leader known for navigating complex organizational dynamics, aligning diverse stakeholders, and delivering results in high-visibility environments, Jen has been a valued advisor to senior agency leadership on complex matters involving Congress, HHS, OMB, and Administration priorities.
Prior to assuming this role, Ms. Wade served as FDA's Associate Director for Enterprise Solutions and Acting Office Director, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, where she led workforce strategy, risk management, and enterprise change initiatives. Previously, she served as Associate Director within the Immediate Office of the Chief Financial Officer, leading cross-cutting initiatives and supporting executive decision-making for major agency priorities. She also served as Director of FDA's Division of Budget Formulation, where she oversaw the agency's $7+ billion budget, served as FDA's principal negotiator with OMB, HHS, and Congressional Appropriations Committees, and managed nearly $1 billion in supplemental funding during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Earlier in her career, Ms. Wade held policy and appropriations positions at the HHS Office of the Secretary, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, and the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout her nearly 20 years of federal service, her ability to direct major agency-wide initiatives and translate strategy into action is a hallmark of her leadership.
A recipient of multiple FDA Commissioner's Awards, Ms. Wade has also completed the Excellence in Government Fellows Program and executive leadership training at the Federal Executive Institute. Jen holds Bachelor of Arts degrees from Stonehill College and the University of Oxford and a Master of Arts from American University.