Government Affairs & Advocacy
At the Table
When It Matters.
The Empower Government Affairs Team works to ensure that compounding pharmacy's voice is heard — in statehouses, federal agencies, and everywhere policy is made.
To advocate for legislative and policy changes that expand access to quality, affordable medication.
To establish Empower Pharmacy as the gold standard on all aspects of compound medicine, nationally.
To ensure Empower remains a leader in healthcare advocacy and to expand and protect patient access to transformative therapies.
Why It Matters
Policy shapes patient care.
Every industry is shaped by laws and rules — someone writes them, votes on them, and enforces them. Our Government Affairs team exists to make sure Empower is not just a passenger in that process.
- We advocate for policies that protect patient access to safe, high-quality compounded medications.
- We champion clarity and policy alignment so our organization can grow responsibly and deliver therapies patients rely on.
- We shape a regulatory and legislative environment that supports innovation, safety, and compliance in compounding.
- A single regulatory change can represent millions of patients' access gained, lost, or avoided.
Recent Advocacy Efforts in Action
Our Outreach, By the Numbers
How We Operate
The Gold Standard
The Government Affairs Team at Empower believes in setting the gold standard when it comes to how we operate and advocate — for both our organization and our patients.
Working across teams, agencies, and coalitions to move policy forward together.
Clear, consistent messaging with policymakers, stakeholders, and patients.
Showing up reliably — in hearings, meetings, and relationships — over time.
Tracking every engagement, outcome, and action to build institutional knowledge.
Leading with data, research, and facts in every policy conversation we enter.
Responding to regulatory changes and emerging issues before others are even aware.
Leadership
Meet the Team
Our team brings together diverse expertise — from elected office and Fortune 500 regulatory affairs to state Boards of Pharmacy and public service.
Spencer joined Empower in May 2025 to advance public policy and advocacy efforts aligned with the mission of delivering quality, affordable medications. He previously served three terms in the Florida House of Representatives, including as Chairman of the Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law, and Government Operations Subcommittee.
Spencer is a retired Coast Guard Judge Advocate with 20 years of active-duty service — beginning as a search and rescue coxswain and counter-narcotics officer before earning his commission. His last assignment was providing legal counsel to service members with service-related disabilities in Washington, D.C. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami and is licensed to practice law in Florida and Texas. Spencer currently serves on the Board of Directors for Goodwill of SWFL, FGCU Alumni Association, and the Servicemember Health Alliance.
Grace Sesi, PharmD serves as Vice President of Regulatory & Government Affairs for Empower Pharmacy, leading regulatory strategy, government affairs, and stakeholder engagement to support patient access to high quality, affordable medications. A current Board Member and former Chairperson of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy, she works closely with state and federal regulators, policymakers, and industry associations to advance regulatory frameworks that foster innovation while upholding patient safety.
Grace brings more than two decades of pharmacy and healthcare leadership experience. Prior to joining Empower, she spent over 22 years with CVS Health, culminating in her role as Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs, where she led complex regulatory initiatives and built collaborative relationships with regulators and healthcare organizations nationwide.
Grace earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University, graduating with honors. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling internationally and spending quality time with her husband and two children.
Deeb serves as Director and Lead of Government Affairs for Empower Pharmacy, working on regulatory and legislative advocacy throughout the country. His expertise spans state and federal governments, AG offices, and Boards of Pharmacy.
Formerly at CVS Health in regulatory affairs, Deeb served as Executive Secretary/Treasurer and CEO for NABP/AACP District 4 (2020–2025). He is former Faculty at Ferris State College of Pharmacy, completed an Executive Residency with PTCB in Washington D.C., and earned his PharmD from the University of Toledo. He is an active published researcher and invited speaker at national conferences.
Derek leads legislative, regulatory, and stakeholder engagement strategies across the eastern United States. He currently serves as NABP District 2 President and brings nearly two decades of pharmacy operations and healthcare policy experience.
Derek served as Mayor of Abingdon, Virginia and continues to serve on the Town Council — giving him a rare dual perspective as both advocate and elected policymaker. He is a member of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the NABP Law and Legislation Committee. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Appalachian College of Pharmacy, graduating as valedictorian.
Edgar Gonzalez brings a strong legal background with extensive experience in national security law, cybersecurity, data privacy, and mergers & acquisitions. He is responsible for overseeing all legal affairs at Empower, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and managing corporate governance, intellectual property, and litigation matters.
Before joining Empower, Edgar served as a JAG Attorney with the U.S. Coast Guard for over 10 years, where he advised on military justice, maritime law, and government affairs. He also held the position of Senior Associate at Patterson + Sheridan, focusing on intellectual property litigation and patent prosecution. Edgar's legal career includes roles with Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner and the United States Attorneys' Offices, where he handled complex criminal and civil cases.
Edgar's broad legal experience, combined with his dedication to empowering organizations through strategic legal counsel, supports Empower's mission of delivering quality, affordable medications nationwide.
Empower PAC
Political Action Committee
The Government Affairs Team manages the Empower PAC — a federally registered, employee-funded committee governed by FEC rules.
A PAC is a tax-exempt organization created to represent the interests of its members. By pooling small donations from many people, PACs amplify the political voice of their cause. The Empower PAC is one tool within a broader strategy to protect patient access to compounded medications nationwide.
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