Dontai Smalls

Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs, UPS | Political Strategist | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Dontai Smalls is a seasoned government affairs professional currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Global Public Affairs at UPS, a position he has held since July 2023.1 With over 20 years of experience in advocacy, policy analysis, and management at a Fortune 50 company, Smalls has established himself as an effective and bipartisan advocate in the realm of public affairs.1

Career Progression

Smalls' career at UPS spans more than two decades:

Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs: July 2023 - Present
Vice President, Global Public Affairs: April 2011 - July 2023
Public Affairs Supervisor: March 2001 - April 2011
Legislative Assistant: October 1999 - September 2000

Professional Expertise

Dontai Smalls is known for his:

Ability to lead international, cross-functional teams to achieve strategic policy outcomes
Effective communication with senior Administration officials, Members of the U.S. Congress, representatives of foreign governments, and C-suite executives
Expertise in political strategy and diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives

Education

Juris Doctor: Georgetown University Law Center (2000 - 2003)
BA, Political Science: Howard University (1995 - 1999)

Accolades

Smalls has been recognized multiple times as a top lobbyist:

Named "Top Lobbyist" by The Hill in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020
Received the "2020 Top Lobbyist" award from the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE)

Early Career

Before joining UPS, Smalls gained valuable experience through various internships and roles:

Intern at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Economic Impact & Diversity
Intern & Research Assistant at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Presidential Intern at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Intern at The White House's Office of Public Liaison

In his current role, Smalls continues to be actively involved in UPS's global initiatives, sharing updates on the company's investments and activities in various regions, including Asia Pacific and Latin America.2 3