Cara Woodson Welch, Esq., Director, Public Policy, WorldatWork

Cara Welch is the Director of Public Policy for WorldatWork, responsible for anticipating and addressing regulations and legislation that could affect total rewards and human resource professionals in the United States and around the globe. Welch has 15 years experience in public policy and government affairs and is a member of the DC Bar. Prior to joining WorldatWork, she served as general counsel and vice president of advocacy at the Design-Build Institute of America in Washington, D.C.

Welch's extensive experience includes advocacy at the local, state and federal level. Early in her career, she received a fellowship with the Human Resources division of the Social Security Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She also has worked in the state legislature and the state executive branch. She has an excellent grasp of the federal legislative and regulatory process and understands how federal law and regulations impact employers. Welch previously held executive positions with American Society of Landscape Architects, National Association of Realtors, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and more.

She has written extensively on legislative and regulatory issues for weekly newsletters, monthly publications and peer reviewed journals. Welch has been quoted in Government Technology Magazine, New Mexico Business Weekly and Public Works Magazine, to name a few. Her professional designations/accreditations include American Society of Association Executives.

 Welch holds a BA in International Studies and French with a minor in Political Science from Macalester College and a JD from Georgetown University.