Margo M. McKay,
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

Margo M. McKay, as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Agriculture (USDA, ensures compliance with all equal employment opportunity and civil rights-related laws by USDA agencies and programs, and coordinates administration of these laws, regulations and policies for the Department's employees and customers. She is also responsible for diversity, alternative dispute resolution and outreach programs for USDA.

Ms. McKay came to USDA with over 25 years of successful legal and executive experience in the public and private sector. Her primary areas of expertise are civil rights, equal employment opportunity, diversity, human resources, and law. She has proven leadership and broad experience in policy development and business operations.

Prior to her appointment as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Ms. McKay served as the Associate General Counsel at Fannie Mae, where she provided advice and counsel to human resources professionals and executives on employment-related issues. At Fannie Mae, she also served in numerous other capacities as the company's chief policymaker and compliance officer for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, occupational safety and health requirements, workers compensation and immigration compliance, diversity, employee relations, and alternative dispute resolution. She has received numerous awards throughout her career.

Ms. McKay began her Federal career with the Department of Housing and Urban Development after graduating magna cum laude from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. After she received her Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center, she began her legal career with the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, where she prosecuted cases under all civil rights statutes. She later served as an Administrative Judge at the Merit Systems Protection Board and the District of Columbia, hearing employment discrimination claims. Ms. McKay has also practiced law in the private sector. She is a member of the Pennsylvania, Virginia, and District of Columbia Bars. In addition, she holds membership in the Federal Circuit Bar, American Bar Association and National Bar Association.

Ms. McKay grew up in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia. She has two daughters and one son.