About me
Zil Joyce Dixon Romero is the Senior State Government Affairs Manager at the National Rural Health Association, a national nonprofit membership organization that consists of a diverse collection of individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond - an interest in rural health. NRHA works to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research.
In his role, Zil is responsible for analyzing national rural health trends at the state level, identifying model legislation, developing, and executing effective strategies to engage with state government officials and stakeholders, and building upon his relationship with the State Rural Health Association’s to advocate for policies that promote rural health.
Zil is passionate about expanding opportunities in rural communities, demonstrating how advocacy can translate from patient care to policy change, and advancing pragmatic solutions grounded in evidence-based best practices.
Zil joined the National Rural Health Association staff in 2020 after graduating from American University’s School of Public Affairs. He later earned a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University in 2026 and was named a Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellow, a distinction awarded to emerging leaders in ethical advocacy.
He is also an alumnus of the Obama Foundation’s 2023 LeadersUSA program and previously served in several roles on Capitol Hill, working on issues pertaining healthcare, education, and communications.
