LYSSA FILS-AIMÉ HARGROVE has been serving as the Senior Advisor to the Associate Commissioner in the Office of External Affairs at the Social Security Administration since April 2015. Prior to this, she held various positions in information technology ranging from developer to project manager in the federal government.
In 2008, Hargrove was one of two people chosen to participate in Georgetown University’s prestigious Graduate Advancement Institute (GAI) Capitol Hill Fellowship Program. In this capacity, she served in the Office of Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York from 2009 to 2011.
While in the Chairman’s office, Hargrove’s background in Economics resulted in her accompanying former president Bill Clinton on the 2009 Haiti Trade Mission as well as penning informational writings with the Haiti Holocaust Blog.
The Congressional Fellow helped facilitate the successful collaboration to combat deforestation in Haiti between the Timberland Shoe Company, Yele Haiti, and the Jewish National Fund. In addition, she monitored Latin American and Caribbean issues, superseded in domestic education issues, was liaison with the Trade Committee staff, worked closely with the Immigration Committee on private bills, and interacted with the State Departments and Homeland Security. She received accolades from Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York for her defining work ethic to go above and beyond the call of duty where he has publically noted that she has “done more for Haiti in her two-years on the Hill than all the other Members combined.”
Hargrove’s talent extends outside of her regular office duties as she has held positions managing and successfully writing for the Haiti Holocaust blog, and volunteering to coordinate the delivery of nutritional food through Meals on Wheels. For years, she has served as mentor for Big Brother/Big Sister Program empowering children from all walks of life.
Hargrove is a member of the International Economics Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and was a member of A Better Chance, Incorporated Business Professional Partnership Program.
In recognition of her leadership and achievements, Hargrove has received many Commissioner’s Citations and Awards. Just recently, receiving the Tikkun Olam Award, a Hebrew phrase that means ‘repairing the world’, from the Haiti Holocaust Survivors for her leadership in moving this mission forward. She has been recognized for her many contributions and is recipient of the Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women Award.
A graduate of Hood College, Hargrove holds a Bachelor of Arts interdisciplinary degree in Law and Society with a minor in Economics. She is married to her husband of eleven years, Casey, and is the mother of three children.