At the heart of professional advocacy is a commitment to education–a dedication that Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow Amy Spain lives out daily. Amy is a two-time BHF Fellow, a Manager of Membership Development and Industry Research at the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), and a law student at George Mason University.
“The role of lobbyists is to represent our members before policy makers… You need to educate lawmakers about how those issues might impact the public,” Amy said.
But successful lobbying is about far more than just education. “As a lobbyist, you need to be truthful and have high moral principles, or you aren’t credible,” Amy said. “You need to be honest and trusted to be effective.”
Education and integrity come together through Amy’s work at NBWA, as Amy supports members who are active in their communities and charities, working to eliminate underage drinking and combat drunk driving, while building family-owned and multi-generation businesses.
Protecting the consumer is fundamental to the work of NBWA. NBWA and its members work to facilitate a safe and orderly marketplace and promotes responsibility in the distribution, sale and consumption of alcohol. Thanks in part to the three-tier system of alcohol controls, the industry is unique in that they’re able to quickly and efficiently pull a product from shelves if necessary.
“In other countries, we read about tragic headlines of tainted alcohol products, and that’s not something you see hear about in America,” Amy said. “I believe in the value and importance of this industry. I see how distributors serve the public’s interests and keep the marketplace safe and that’s why I am proud to be a part of NBWA,” Amy said.
Amy’s work–and the work of all professional advocates–is a calling the Bryce Harlow Foundation is proud to support.
