Amanda Simpson is the Senior Technical Adviser to the U.S. Department of Commerce, appointed by the Obama Administration. She is the first openly transgender woman political appointee in any administration, and a Harvey Mudd College 1983 alum.

Amanda transitioned her gender during 2000 and remained in the same managerial position through what was a very public period. Working with upper management her transition has been used as a model for transitioning professional employees across the country.

Watch a video of her tele-video conference with students and faculty at HMC directly from Washington, DC. Hear her comments about the Harvey Mudd climate in the 80's for the LGBT community, her experience with transitioning and her perspective on how the government is dealing with LGBT issues.