Zil Joyce Dixon Romero is the State Government Affairs Manager at the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in policy management at Georgetown University. Born in Las Vegas and raised in Henderson, Nevada, Zil credits his path to advocacy with beginning at age three, when his grandfather taught him a simple but powerful message, “If you have the ability to help people, you should do so.”
This remains his core belief today. He learned about the everyday impact of policy through internships on Capitol Hill after getting his undergraduate degree from American University. “Advocacy starts with people and communities, not partisanship,” Zil said. “Begin with the community you care about, learn what they need, and then map out a path together.”
This philosophy guides his work at NRHA, where he focuses on keeping rural hospitals open, ensuring access to care, and addressing gaps in health education and workforce. “Rural healthcare is one of those rare issues that unites both Democrats and Republicans,” Zil said. “Shining a light on it and finding pragmatic solutions is the most important thing I can do.” His graduate studies at Georgetown complement his advocacy, giving him the tools to design policy solutions while testing ideas in practice.
As a Bryce Harlow Fellow, Zil is eager to learn from leaders who model ethical, effective advocacy. He’s excited to continue a career rooted in the values his family instilled and hopes the Fellowship will help him build his network and deepen his skills.
