Nygina T. Mills is an executive who brings innovation and creativity to business problems and corporate governance expert with over twenty years of experience in both private legal practice and public service. As a Harvard Law School graduate and a Harvard Business School alumna, Ms. Mills brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work.
In her tenure at the Small Business Administration, Ms. Mills played a pivotal role as the Associate General Counsel for Financial Law. She led a 30-member team supporting over ten departments, including the Office of Capital Access, which facilitated the clearance of substantial debenture and private equity access. Under her leadership, the SBA granted over 62,000 loans, amounting to more than $40 billion in 2022.
Before joining the SBA, Nygina Mills served as the Director of the Strategic Initiatives Directorate at the U.S. Department of Education. There, she was responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of sub-agency initiatives, managing programs that supported over 1,600 employees and overseeing program support of $120 billion in annual funding. Her role was crucial in managing major pandemic-era programs such as the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan.
Ms. Mills’s regulatory career spans various sectors including banking, transportation, technology, aerospace, and defense. Between 2012 and 2020, she served in significant roles at the Defense Contract Management Agency and the Defense Contract Audit Agency. She played a key part in overseeing federal contracts and providing legal advice on contract cost resolutions with major defense contractors.
Her private legal practice experience includes prominent law firms like Crowell & Moring LLP, Paul Hastings LLP, and FisherBroyles LLP, where she specialized in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, financial regulation, and government contracts.
Ms. Mills is a recipient of many awards, including the Top 1% Fellow of the American Bar Association. She is actively involved in various legal forums, including CodeX at Stanford and the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence. Since 2020, she has been a member of the ABA Section of Business Law and has held positions in the ABA Section of Public Contract Law since 2016.
A respected public speaker and writer, Ms. Mills regularly contributes to discussions on artificial intelligence, banking, finance, ESG, and government contracting. She is a NACD-certified public company director and a recognized figure in legal and regulatory circles.
Residing in Washington, D.C., Nygina Mills continues to influence and shape the landscape of legal practice and corporate governance with her extensive knowledge and experience.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Over the past two decades of my career in various roles as a Senior Executive, General Counsel, and Risk and Compliance Officer, my typical days have involved a strategic blend of legal insight, executive decision-making, and risk management. The hour before work is typically dedicated to reviewing global trends, most recently AI and cybersecurity law, where I translate complex legal developments into actionable insight. Afternoons are reserved for high-level strategic planning and advising, ensuring our legal approaches support long-term business goals. Additionally, I prioritize personal development, focusing on technological advancements, leadership theories, and maintaining a broad network of mentors and peers. This holistic approach is crucial in maintaining a strategic edge in the dynamic field of tech law.
How do you bring ideas to life?
In my roles over the years, bringing ideas to life has meant combining legal expertise with strategic business insight. This involves envisioning the future of the legal-tech interface and leading brainstorming sessions where we map out future scenarios in AI and data privacy, translating these into robust legal strategies that align with our corporate goals. Practical implementation of these ideas is key. Working closely with different departmental silos ensures legal strategies are seamlessly integrated into business operations, enhancing an organization’s competitive edge while ensuring compliance and ethical practices.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The integration of AI in corporate governance is a trend I find particularly exciting. I view AI as a strategic asset reshaping our understanding of legal risks, compliance, and ethical governance. Engaging in discussions and research on AI’s potential in decision-making processes and risk assessments is a regular part of my role. This trend also opens up new avenues for legal innovation. Over the years I have been actively involved in developing frameworks that integrate AI into legal processes, advocating for policies that facilitate ethical AI use in governance.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Practicing strategic foresight through regular study of forward-looking reports and analyses ensures legal strategies are proactive. Evaluating decisions made, lessons learned, and alignment with long-term strategic goals is essential. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is also crucial. Regular physical exercise and mindfulness practices are essential for maintaining mental clarity and emotional resilience, enabling one to tackle professional challenges effectively.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To my younger self, I’d emphasize the importance of aligning legal strategies with corporate goals for innovation and growth. Building a diverse professional network early on is also key, providing varied insights and opportunities for strategic partnerships. Resilience and adaptability are crucial in the fast-paced, evolving technology based legal field. Embracing change and being prepared to pivot strategies in response to new developments is essential for long-term success and strategic leadership.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I believe in AI’s significant role in reshaping corporate governance. This perspective drives me to advocate for risk frameworks accommodating advanced AI applications in decision-making processes. It underlines my approach to legal education, emphasizing the need for lawyers to understand AI technologies. This belief also influences how I mentor younger legal professionals, fostering a culture where lawyers are strategic advisors in technology implementation, not just legal experts.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Engaging in cross-industry dialogue has been essential for strategic decision-making. This has helped me navigate the complex legal tech landscape. Mentoring younger legal professionals and sharing knowledge and experiences also keeps me grounded and connected to emerging trends.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Facing high-pressure situations, I employ structured problem-solving and deconstruct complex challenges into manageable parts. This methodical resolution of issues is complemented by a balanced lifestyle, which is crucial for maintaining mental clarity and emotional resilience.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
My growth has been driven by a commitment to shaping, not just following, regulatory agendas in rapidly evolving areas for risk management, including AI and cybersecurity. Speaking at conferences, publishing articles, and participating in policy discussions have enhanced my influence. Networking with other leaders in legal, tech, and business communities has provided opportunities for collaboration and innovation, keeping me at the forefront of strategic legal thinking in technology.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Facing rapid changes in regulations was a challenge. This experience taught me the value of agility and anticipatory strategy in legal planning and the importance of involving experts from different areas in strategic planning. This challenge also highlighted the need for a dynamic approach to legal advice, ensuring it’s comprehensive and forward-thinking.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An AI-based regulatory tracking platform, offering real-time updates and strategic insights on global developments, would aid in proactive compliance and strategic planning. This platform would also feature predictive analytics for foresight into regulatory changes. Such a tool would cater to organizations of all sizes, helping them navigate the complex legal landscape efficiently and making legal considerations an integral part of business development.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
‘SAP Analytics Cloud’ for scenario planning and collaborative tools like ‘Asana’ for project management have been instrumental. These tools aid in organizing tasks and projects efficiently, ensuring all team members work toward common strategic objectives. These tools have enhanced decision-making processes, ensuring they are data-driven and strategically sound.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Attending an executive seminar on AI and ethics was a significant investment. This experience emphasized the importance of lifelong learning in staying informed and educated on emerging topics in law and technology. The insights gained have been crucial in shaping our company’s ethical framework around AI use and underscore the importance of strategic leadership in the evolving legal landscape.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
“Harvard Business Review’s Insights on AI and Leadership” and “The National Law Review’s Technology Law Section” have been key resources, providing insights on navigating the complex intersection of technology, law, and strategic business thinking. They advocate for a holistic view where legal professionals are integral in shaping business strategy. These resources emphasize the importance of understanding technology from a legal standpoint, fostering a culture of strategic decision-making in the era of technology.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“The Social Dilemma” and “The Great Hack” were thought-provoking documentary series. They reflect the balance between technological advancement and legal frameworks, which is central to a strategic approach in tech law. These documentaries not only provide relaxation but also enrich our understanding of the broader societal and ethical implications of technology. “The Social Dilemma” explores the impact of social media on society, while “The Great Hack” delves into the issues surrounding data privacy and the influence of data in political campaigns.
Key learnings:
- Strategic foresight is critical in rapidly emerging areas of law.
- AI’s integration in governance is transforming legal strategies.
- Cross-industry dialogue is essential for a holistic strategic approach.
- Quick adaptation and a dynamic mindset are necessary in tech law.
- Ethical considerations and societal impacts are integral to strategic decision-making in technology.