Steve Heyman brings twenty years of public affairs expertise to his current role as Managing Director of State Affairs at Sallie Mae.  A veteran of challenges in political, legal and financial arenas, Heyman provides political and policy counsel to senior management to advance the company’s objectives on complex financial and higher education policy issues at the national and state levels.  Heyman has day-to-day responsibility for the company’s growing state government relations activities and has managed both the company’s grassroots efforts and its political action committee.  Experienced as company spokesperson on public policy and legislative issues with Washington trade reporters, appropriate Hill and industry staff, Heyman managed public opinion research projects, an educational television program, and paid/free media advocacy campaigns to support the private-sector higher education finance industry in other roles at Sallie Mae.

Before joining Sallie Mae in 2001, Heyman served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Labor.  During his tenure at the Labor Department, he was a senior advisor to the Secretary of Labor on matters involving the Congress, states and local governments.  Heyman was also the Department’s lead on Presidential initiatives on “New Markets” and “Digital Divide” to encourage private sector investment in economically distressed communities.

From November 1995 to March 1998, Heyman was the Director of Federal Relations for the State of Maryland.  As the State’s principal representative to the White House, Members of Congress and federal agencies, he helped formulate the Governor’s national agenda, coordinated legislative and public relations strategies to achieve federal appropriations, project and policy goals.   Heyman also represented the Governor at the bipartisan National Governors’ Association. 

Heyman’s extensive public sector experience is matched by his broad background in the private sector ‑ particularly in the areas of law and finance.  While at the Washington, D.C. firm of Howrey & Simon, he participated in commercial, antitrust, unfair trade practices and environmental insurance litigation on behalf of major U.S. corporations.  During his tenure at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated in New York City, Heyman conducted complex financial analysis for $1.9 billion in financings on behalf of governments, universities, and Fortune 25 companies. 

Heyman received his J.D. from The George Washington University National Law Center in 1991 and a B.A. with honors from the University of Michigan in 1986.  Born in Washington, D.C., Heyman and his wife, Sue Steinman, who is also an attorney, are the proud parents of one daughter, Madeline Rae.  They reside in Chevy Chase, Maryland.