Melissa Neff Gould
Vice President
State Government Relations
Missy Neff Gould joined McGuireWoods Consulting in early 2008 and serves as a vice president in the state government relations group. She specializes in environmental policy issues, providing legislative lobbying services, strategic planning and event coordination. Missy has significant experience working with clients in the Southside and Southwest regions of Virginia. Her current portfolio includes energy, environment, technology, healthcare and education policy, as well as developing political giving strategies.
Missy Neff Gould joined McGuireWoods Consulting in early 2008 and serves as a vice president in the state government relations group. She specializes in environmental policy issues, providing legislative lobbying services, strategic planning and event coordination. Missy has significant experience working with clients in the Southside and Southwest regions of Virginia. Her current portfolio includes energy, environment, technology, healthcare and education policy, as well as developing political giving strategies.
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Prior to joining MWC, Missy served as Assistant Secretary of Natural Resources under Governor Tim Kaine. In that role she served as a liaison between the Governor’s office and six natural resources agencies. She has also worked as a program coordinator for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters where she monitored and lobbied legislation and designed and implemented outreach strategies to enlist and train volunteers and interns.
Missy is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. She is a member of the Virginia Museum of Natural History Board of Trustees. She was previously appointed to Virginia’s Council on the Status of Women by former Governor Mark Warner. She earned an undergraduate degree in political science and history from Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. and is a native of South Boston, Virginia.
Education
- Meredith College, Raleigh, N.C., B.A., Political Science & History, 2001
- Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership, University of Virginia, 2006
Memberships
- Trustee, Virginia Museum of Natural History (Secretary, 2010-2011; Vice Chair, 2011-2012)
- Richmond Regional Chair, Sorensen Institute Alumni Association
- Council Member, Virginia’s Council on the Status of Women, 2003-06
Past Positions
- Assistant Secretary of Natural Resources, Office of Governor Timothy M. Kaine, 2006-07
- Program Coordinator, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, 2004-06
- Paralegal, AquaLaw PLC, 2003-04
- Paralegal, Hunton & Williams, 2001-2003
Service
- State Government Relations
