Melinda Plaisier is the associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at the Food and Drug Administration. She leads more than 4,300 employees and operations in the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). Plaisier helps the FDA adapt to the continuing program-based and in implementing FDA’s expanded authority. Prior to FDA Plaisier worked for 13 years in the U.S. Congress for the Office of the Commissioner directing and managing the agency’s congressional relations and legislative activities. She also served as the associate commissioner for international programs where she focused on negotiating international agreements and working with developing nations.