ABOUT

Bismah Ahmed's Biography: Vice President of Government Affairs, VA for the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA). She comes from a decade-long background in politics within the region, serving as a registered lobbyist before the Virginia General Assembly, executive agencies, and local governments in the Metropolitan Washington area. In her various roles throughout the years, she has developed strategies to reach a diverse range of communities, ensuring their inclusion on policy development.

Previously, she worked at the Policy Office of former Virginia Governor, Terence McAuliffe, where she researched current Virginia policy and developed strategies to reach a wide range of communities, ensuring their inclusion on policy development. Prior to that, Ms. Ahmed served as a legislative aide to Virginia Delegate Richard L. Anderson of Prince William County during the 2014 legislative session in Richmond. Ms. Ahmed has also served as a research assistant to current Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring, where she assisted with campaign operations for his Political Action Committee, One Commonwealth.

Bismah received her Masters Degree in Public Administration from Villanova University. She was also a graduate of the Class of 2020 Leadership Arlington program. For her influence, Bismah has been named a Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 Honoree from the Leadership Center of Excellence. This title recognizes emerging leaders who go above and beyond to exhibit exceptional and impactful leadership within the region. She has also received the 2018 Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman Award.

Bismah Ahmed made history by becoming the first South Asian, Muslim, and Pakistani woman to win the title of Miss DC for America 2022 and has been featured in ABC7, WUSA9, NBC12, FOX5, FOX45, DCW50, and TV Asia. She used her platform to create The Color Collective, an initiative to promote giving back to the community, particularly by raising awareness about significant global issues, such as the current refugee crisis facing Afghans and Ukrainians. 

She is very involved in the Metropolitan Washington community and am an active member of: 

• The Virginia Housing Commission Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Transitions Workgroup
• Arlington Chamber of Commerce (Executive Committee)
• Arlington County Tenant-Landlord Commission (Commissioner)
• Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce PAC Trustees
• The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee
• The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee
• The Prince William Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee
• The Northern Virginia Business Transportation Coalition