Alumni Profile: Dennis Wu (MPA ‘20)

Dennis Wu is an attorney for the US Small Business Administration in the Office of Disaster Assistance. Below, he shares a bit of his journey, from the Judge Advocate General’s office of the US Air Force to helping small business owners cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What did you do prior to the MPA?

Prior to the MPA program, I attended the University of Notre Dame Law School and directly joined the US Air Force as a Judge Advocate General where I practiced many areas of law, ranging from family and estate law in helping fellow servicemembers, to contract and environmental law for construction projects. On a deployment to Afghanistan, I worked on economic development projects in the country such as the building of roads, schools, and hospitals for its people.  The most high-profile project I worked on was the acquisition of a fleet of vehicles for Afghanistan's equivalent to the Secret Service, which would be used to transport Afghanistan's president and other high ranking officials. During my time in the Air Force, I earned an MBA at UCLA's, Anderson School of Management where I focused on economics and global management.  Prior to my legal career, I earned a Bachelor's degree at New York University and worked in sports business with the New York Giants, Washington Nationals, and Major League Baseball in the Office of the Commissioner.  

What made you decide to go back to school and why did you choose the Berkeley MPA?

I decided to go back to school to merge my background in law, business, and the military into a position where I could find a meaningful way to work in government. Oftentimes, such areas are not isolated in a vacuum but are intertwined and dependent on each other; in order to achieve a successful outcome, one must have an understanding of the many stakeholders involved when addressing issues. I chose the Berkeley MPA because it was a program for mid-career professionals that would allow me to utilize my previous experience while developing a policy toolkit. As I believe that California leads our nation in innovation and policy, I felt that I would have the most to gain by returning home to California and attending GSPP at UC Berkeley, which plays an active role in shaping the state's political landscape.    

What do you do now?

I have recently started working as an attorney for the Small Business Administration in the Office of Disaster Assistance on programs designed to provide relief to businesses and nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This position allows me to utilize my background in law, business, and policy in an impactful way, serving the people during this time of need. I felt compelled to aid in this effort as I hold a deep appreciation for small business owners who invest in themselves and aspire to enjoy the benefits of their hard work. I believe such passion embodies the American spirit, and I am happy to support such courageous people as small businesses are essential to our economy and livelihood. 

These past few months, while the hours have been long and anything but glamorous, have been the most gratifying in my entire career. I spend a great deal of time hearing the stories of small business owners and have been inspired by their perseverance and innovation that allows them to continue to provide services such as converting their parking lots to outdoor dining areas or beauty salons. People have expressed to me how they are overwhelmed and are doing everything they can to stay afloat to ensure what they have referred to as their "baby", that they have worked their whole life for, can make it through this pandemic. As the SBA serves all types of businesses from owners of all backgrounds, I am most touched when I speak through an interpreter and even though I can't understand their language, I hear the appreciation in the small business owners' voices and know that I am truly making a difference.