Government Affairs & Advocacy
At the Table
When It Matters.
The Empower Government Affairs (GA) Team focuses on advancing Empower's public policy and advocacy, working to align regulatory developments with the company's mission to expand patient access to personalized medicine. Our team collaborates with government agencies, individual lawmakers, and other stakeholders to educate policymakers on the critical role compounding pharmacies play in the healthcare system.
This team is housed within the Legal Department and is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, including private sector experience at top 10 Fortune 500 organizations, service on state Boards of Pharmacy, and public service in elected office.
To advocate for legislative and policy changes that expand patient access to personalized medicine.
To establish Empower as the leading authority on compounding, ensuring our voice is heard wherever regulatory and policy decisions are made.
To ensure Empower remains a leader in healthcare advocacy and access, and to both expand and protect patient access to therapies they need.
Why It Matters
Why Advocacy Work Matters
The value of advocacy in a complex and confusing regulatory and legislative environment is critical to both patients and Empower. Our Government Affairs team builds relationships and provides key internal information to help ensure the company stays up to date on the latest changes in laws and rules, while acting as an advocate for compounding throughout the United States.
- We advocate for policies that protect patient access to compounded medications prepared under rigorous quality standards, ensuring our organization and industry can continue delivering the personalized therapies that the healthcare system depends on.
- We champion regulatory clarity and policy alignment so our organization can operate confidently, grow responsibly, and continue delivering compounded therapies that patients and providers rely on.
- We exist to shape a regulatory and legislative environment that supports innovation, safety, and compliance in compounding, enabling our organization and the industry to meet patient needs responsibly and sustainably.
Recent Advocacy Efforts in Action
Our Outreach, By the Numbers
How We Operate
The Gold Standard
The Empower Government Affairs Team holds itself to a high standard in how it operates and advocates for Empower and for the patients we serve.
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 is responsible for managing the Empower PAC (Political Action Committee).
A PAC is a tax-exempt organization created to represent certain interests, such as businesses or trade associations. By pooling small donations from many people, PACs amplify the political voice of their members. The Empower PAC is a federally registered, employee-funded committee governed by FEC rules and one tool within a broader strategy to protect patient access to compounded medications.
Stay Informed