For more than 20+ years, Tonya Saunders, Principal of Washington Premier Group (WPG) has set a new standard in strategic advocacy recognizing it takes both sides of the aisle to garner support for legislative initiatives.
She has been involved in passing legislation on healthcare, technology and telecommunications among others — representing several trade associations, coalitions and corporations. Previous clients have included: Eastman Kodak Health Imaging, American College of Nurse Midwives, Puerto Rico Hospital Association, American Association of Home Services for the Aging (AAHSA), AT&T, Delta Airlines, Rent-A-Center, and currently – Federally Employed Women (FEW).
Tonya Saunders has been true to her original intent in creating WPG — to become a robust platform for the highest quality of diverse professionals and consulting services in public policy and public relations. It’s a mission she has personally led in her own career both personally and inside her company.
Tonya began her career working for Senator Jay Rockefeller’s campaign and later in his US Senate office. She left Capitol Hill and became a senior government affairs consultant at McAuliffe, Kelly & Raffaelli. Through her many years of engagement in government relations she garnered numerous legislative victories, established coalitions and developed issue campaigns for clients.
Ms. Saunders is also the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Mid-Tier Advocacy, Inc. Mid-Tier Advocacy (MTA) represents the nation’s top advanced small and mid-size firms. This organization along with its strategic partner organizations now consists of more than 3,000 participants and serves as the collective voice for mid-tier contractors. MTA consists of federal contractors that represent a cross section of industries from information technology, professional services, manufacturing to construction. At Mid- Tier Advocacy, policy makers, industry and lawmakers come together to determine policies to strengthen and maintain a diverse federal industrial base.
Time and again, Tonya Saunders’ success in business and government is proven by her ability to build 2 collaborative teams. Tonya Saunders serves on the API Board of Advisors, 131& Counting and is the Chairman of Mid-Tier Advocacy, Inc.
She has been professionally recognized and currently sits on several boards. Ms. Saunders studied Pre-Law and majored in Political Science at WV State College University, an HBCU.