Dr. McClain is the Assistant Secretary Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In February 2021, she joined the Biden – Harris Administration as Deputy Assistant Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. McClain joined the HUD team in January 2023.
Dr. McClain is an international government relations executive with a 30-year proven record of working across the U.S. government (domestic and national security) and private sectors. Dr. McClain has worked in the banking and financial services, management consulting and defense industry for the last 20 years in a variety of private and public sector roles to include Director for Defense Senior Leader Development Program in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness, Senior Country Director for South America, Office of Foreign Policy and Partnerships at US Cyber Command, Senior Country Director, Africa and Brazil, Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs, and as Senior Executive Communications Advisor to Chief Executive Officer Accenture Federal Services.
Dr. McClain retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2021 after 29 years of service. She has led across all levels of the Air Force including international affairs, legislative affairs, and as an E-3 AWACS Senior Air Battle Manager.
Dr. McClain earned her Ph.D. in international business from Northcentral University, an M.S. in human relations and international business from Amberton University, and her B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington.
She is a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is a member of its Xi Omega Chapter in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Dr. McClain is an active member of The Links Incorporated and Jack of America, Incorporated.