The UW Department of Communication recently announced Nate Miles as their 2016 Distinguished Alumnus. Miles will deliver the keynote speech at the Communication Graduation Celebration on June 9.
Miles, who was inducted to the Department of Communication Alumni Hall of Fame in 2014, is Vice President for Strategic Initiatives for Eli Lilly and Company, one of the nation’s top pharmaceutical firms, where he leads concept, development and implementation of strategic initiatives to generate sound public policy and brand support for traditional and non-traditional allies. Previously, Miles was Director for State Government Affairs for Eli Lilly and Co., overseeing and managing all state government relations, public affairs and external relations activities in a four-state region.
In the 1980s one of Washington’s most powerful political leaders hand-picked Miles to be his Chief Legislative Aide and Miles helped shape and direct the strategic policy initiatives for Washington Senate Majority Caucus Chair George Fleming. During his service in state government he helped structure groundbreaking economic development initiatives that helped revitalize Seattle’s Central Area Core Business District.
After working for Fleming, Miles joined the Senior Management Team at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. His efforts in government affairs, community outreach, facilities operations, retail development for the facility, labor negotiations and branding development were pivotal to securing $125 million for the facility expansion. He was called upon by then-President Bill Clinton to join prominent business leaders from around the country as a White House Conferee to advise the President on the development and implementation of landmark foreign trade policy.
Miles has a stellar record on philanthropic involvement, and serves and/or has served on, the NAACP Special Contributions Fund Board of Directors, National Action Network Corporation Advisory Committee, Board of Directors of The University of Washington Foundation, Puget Sound Regional Council – Economic Development Board, Association of Washington Business, Seattle Chinese Nursing Home, Seattle Urban League, and Seattle City Club, to name a few. His work has been recognized on numerous occasions, receiving many honors and awards including the Edward “Eddie” Carlson Award for Seattle’s Leadership Tomorrow program; Lifetime Achievement Award from the Central Area Motivation Program, a Friends of the Japanese American Citizen’s League Award, and being selected as one of “30 Leaders of the Future” by Ebony Magazine.
In January of 2015, Miles co-founded NWTEI, the Northwest Technology Equity Initiative. NWTEI is a non-profit organization aiming to deepen corporate and community engagement to increase the access and participation of students of color and career opportunities for underrepresented communities and women within STEM and high-technology fields.
Miles graduated from the UW in 1982 with a B.A. in Communications. As an elected UW Foundation Board trustee representing the Office Minority Affairs and Diversity, he helps increase the level of private giving to the University.
