Nygina Mills is a highly regarded legal and governance professional with experience in the aerospace, defense and financial services sectors and expertise in regulations, contracts and compliance. Throughout her career, she has held a wide range of leadership, board and committee roles and has been recognized with many professional and academic honors and awards.
Nygina has served in numerous leadership positions, including Associate General Counsel, Financial Law at SBA where among many responsibilities, she led the legal oversight of the $852B loan portfolio and $26B small business investment company venture capital portfolio (SBIC), while interacting with major financial institutions in the US.
Prior to this role, Nygina was Director, Strategic Initiatives Directorate at the US Department of Education. She oversaw all sub-agency strategic initiatives for 1,600 employees with a $70 million annual budget dedicated to administering $120B in annual nationwide loan funds and a total lending portfolio of $1.4T in outstanding loans.
Other senior roles include Associate General...Nygina Mills is a highly regarded legal and governance professional with experience in the aerospace, defense and financial services sectors and expertise in regulations, contracts and compliance. Throughout her career, she has held a wide range of leadership, board and committee roles and has been recognized with many professional and academic honors and awards.
Nygina has served in numerous leadership positions, including Associate General Counsel, Financial Law at SBA where among many responsibilities, she led the legal oversight of the $852B loan portfolio and $26B small business investment company venture capital portfolio (SBIC), while interacting with major financial institutions in the US.
Prior to this role, Nygina was Director, Strategic Initiatives Directorate at the US Department of Education. She oversaw all sub-agency strategic initiatives for 1,600 employees with a $70 million annual budget dedicated to administering $120B in annual nationwide loan funds and a total lending portfolio of $1.4T in outstanding loans.
Other senior roles include Associate General Counsel, Contracts at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), where Nygina led US and international legal advisory on contract cost resolutions under Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARs), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), M&A, joint ventures and divestitures. Prior, she served as Associate Counsel at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), where she regulated companies such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing. In these roles, Nygina was counterparty to Fortune 100 public company counsel.
Nygina also served as a Partner at private law firms, most recently FisherBroyles, LLP where she specialized in advising clients in contracts, corporate securities, licensing, private equity, M&As, IPOs and private placements.
Nygina earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and is an alum of Harvard Business School.READ MOREVIEW LESS
Associate General Counsel, Financial Law and Lender Oversight | Counsel | Senior Advisor
2022
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Present
Washington, DC, USA
Among her many responsibilities, Nygina has been responsible for the legal strategic direction of the SBA's $852B loan portfolios and the $26B small business investment company venture capital portfolio (SBIC). As legal counsel to the Office of Investment and Innovation, she advised the SBA on financing capital, research and development grants, and provides legal support to SBIC Program Offices.
Nygina oversaw all sub-agency strategic initiatives for the world's 5th largest bank, 1,600 employees with a $68M annual budget dedicated to administering $120B in annual nationwide grant, work-study and loan funds, and a total lending portfolio of $1.4T in outstanding loans. She managed the Idea Lab staff of 30 and $3-4M in annual operating cost for executive initiatives and strategic direction.
Nygina served as a Top-3 HQ SME attorney in charge of U.S. and international legal advisory at DoD’s Comptroller agency, employing 5k auditing and fiscal professionals located at more than 300 offices across US, Europe, Asia and the Pacific examining annually $300B in costs and producing 5k audit reports each FY on contract cost resolutions under FARs, DFARs, and CAS.
Nygina provided legal guidance on federal contracting, cost, pricing and Contracting Officer Final Decisions (COFDs) for DCMA business teams at agency administering annually $300-400B in contract costs, served as Chief Lead Counsel for the Northrop Corporate and Divisional Administrative Contracting Officers, and implemented the full-scale regulation of defense contractors.
Nygina served as an executive and founding member within the Commercial & Government Contracts practice, overseeing $10M in billables. She also provided legal support to Morgan Stanley's General Counsel for global business outsourcing, managing derivatives and mortgage-backed securities.
As Partner, Nygina’s specialization was in business advisory and representation on corporate and government contract matters in the areas of FAR, DFARs and other laws pertaining to government contracts. Nygina also provided corporate law advisory across emerging AI, digital cloud and database companies in compliance and regulatory matters.
Nygina informally led a team of 15 employees that provided broad legal advice and representation for the U.S. Department of Transportation, including procurement and contracts matters for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Trial Attorney | Office of The Secretary of Defense – General Counsel
2002
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2004
Washington, DC, USA
Nygina served as a senior trial counsel and legal advisor representing DOD in matters of security clearance approvals and denials under DOD Directive 5220.6. She managed litigation and participated in hearings before DOD administrative law judges (Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals), including witness examination and cross examination, litigation memoranda, legal research and analysis.
Gained expert knowledge of 1933 and 1934 Securities and Exchange Acts. Filed corporate securities with the SEC including 10Q's, 10K's and 8K's, drafted general corporate documents, i.e. asset/stock purchase and sale agreements, stakeholder agreements and software licensing agreements.
Nygina worked on general corporate and securities matters, including M&As, private placements and IPOs for venture capital firms, internet providers and private equity firms. Development of corporate documents, i.e. software OEMs, licensing, limited liability and shareholder agreements.
Nygina specialized in negotiation leadership on transactions, including revolving credit facilities, private placement of securities and asset sale transactions for Fortune 100 banks, tech companies and insurance firms.
Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East that advises multinational corporations on regulatory, litigation, corporate, and investigations matters.
The Commercial Products & Services Committee reviews and comments on proposed legislation and regulations concerning federal procurement of commercial products and services, including GSA's multiple award schedule. Nygina also served as Vice Chair, Contract Law Section, Accounting Cost & Pricing Committee from 2017 – 2022.
The mission of the HLSA is to advance the cause of legal education, to promote the interests and increase the usefulness of the Harvard Law School, and to promote mutual acquaintance and good fellowship among all members of the Association.
Founded in 2013, Harvard W3D is an innovative network dedicated to connecting and cultivating global leaders who work together toward sustainable peace.
Nygina discusses the important role that compliance plays in the creation of risk-averse businesses, especially when it comes to anticipating market and regulatory changes.
Building Trust in the Age of AI: Ensuring Responsible Innovation
Aug 2023
Cambridge, MA, USA
Nygina participated in this event hosted by the Digital Design Institute at HBS, with a focused discussion on the ethics of AI as an emerging area of corporate strategy. A range of important questions were discussed, including: How do we run companies with algorithms? Will AI and machine learning (ML) help us make responsible, data-driven decisions?
Nygina Mills participated in the ABA’s fifth annual AI and Robotics National Institute, which convened law firms, government, in-house attorneys and business leaders to cover important topics in AI and robotics law and policy.
“I am honored to join the distinguished and diverse group of NACD Certified Directors who are committed to advancing the highest standards of boardroom excellence,” said Nygina Mills, NACD.DC.
Nygina Mills, who has spent much of her time supporting the understanding of best practice around emerging technologies in organizations, shares her thoughts on talent management in an AI future.
NACD Directorship Certification is a designation that keeps pace with the ongoing changes in corporate governance, positioning directors to meet the biggest boardroom challenges.
At CodeX, researchers, lawyers, entrepreneurs and technologists work side-by-side to advance the frontier of legal technology, bringing new levels of legal efficiency, transparency, and access to legal systems around the world. CodeX’s emphasis is on the research and development of computational law (complaw) — the branch of legal informatics concerned with the mechanization of legal reasoning.
HBS Alumni Angels of Greater New York is the largest angel group in NY with 350+ angel investors and growing. Our members have invested $20 million across 100+ exciting early stage companies. Its members have extensive experience across industries and like to help strong entrepreneurs succeed.
The Black Angel Group is a global powerhouse of 200+ black tech operators, united in their passion for investing in groundbreaking seed to Series A startups. We bring a unique blend of intellectual, social, and financial capital to the table, giving founders the resources they need to scale their businesses.
The mission of the Silicon Valley Directors' Exchange is to provide a forum for education, conversation about current issues, and networking for boards of directors of Silicon Valley companies.
Nygina is a member of the Boston & New York chapters. The Harvard Alumni Association maintains and enhances a highly engaged, vibrant community of alumni and friends worldwide. It helps connect alumni to the University and each other through community activities, continuing education programs, online services, and events around the world.
The CBCA presides over various disputes involving Federal executive branch agencies. Its primary responsibility is to resolve contract disputes between government contractors and agencies under the Contract Disputes Act.
Chief is a private network and the only US and UK-based organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top-down.
The Fellowship is a diverse community bound together by their shared love for Jesus Christ. It is based on the belief that integrating faith with work enriches both, fostering greater integrity and a deeper sense of purpose.
The Harvard Law School Association Women’s Alliance is an organization for the women graduates of Harvard Law School where they can come together to foster community, networking, and continuing education.
The Executive Strategic Alliance brings together senior leaders who are passionate about shaping the future of work. The organization's goal is to help executives become world class contributors, as leaders of their own companies and as board members for companies around the globe.
The Senior Executives Association promotes good government initiatives and practices that empower senior executives and federal leaders for success; advocates for legislation and policies in the interests of the federal career senior executive service; facilitates networking opportunities for and with federal governmental leaders, and provide leaders with professional development opportunities.
Venture Capital, Private Equity and Banking Law Committees
2021
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Present
Chicago, IL, USA
The Business Law Section is a global network of over 30,000 business law professionals interested in expanding their knowledge, engaging with their professional communities, and advancing their experience through the section's various benefits.
The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is an international nonprofit, professional membership association, connecting individuals and organizations with blockchain technology solutions to government requirements.
Vice Chair | Accounting Cost and Pricing Committee and Commercial Products and Services Committee
2016
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2022
New York, NY, USA
The Section of Public Contract Law serves to provide balanced recommendations on procurement policy, provide a forum to engage with colleagues across all segments of the procurement industry, and gain insight into and develop unique perspectives of federal, state and local public contract law.
The DAR Council is responsible for developing fully coordinated recommendations for revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), current edition, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), current edition, and the DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI), current edition that are responsive to overall DoD needs.
Nygina was named a 2025 Lawyer of Distinction, an acknowledgement limited to less than 1% of Lawyers in the US. Lawyers of Distinction are selected based upon a rigorous review and vetting process by a Selection Committee utilizing U.S. Provisional Patent # 62/743,254 which generates a numerical score for 12 enumerated factors signifying outstanding achievement and peer recognition. This is her second consecutive listing as a Lawyer of Distinction.
Nygina was named a 2024 Lawyer of Distinction, a recognition limited to less than 1% of Lawyers in the United States.
Lawyers of Distinction are selected based upon a rigorous review and vetting process by a Selection Committee utilizing U.S. Provisional Patent # 62/743,254 which generates a numerical score for 12 enumerated factors signifying outstanding achievement and peer recognition.
Peer-elected distinction awarded to the top 1% of lawyers in the United States whose careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of excellence in the legal profession and to the welfare of society.
The DCAA Employee to Employee Award is in recognition to employees who exhibit a dedication to the agency's core values of teamwork, excellence, accountability, respect, integrity and trust.
Since 1776, Phi Beta Kappa has championed education in the arts and sciences, fostered freedom of thought, and recognized academic excellence. The Phi Beta Kappa society honors the best and brightest liberal arts and sciences undergraduates from 293 top schools across the nation through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process.
This program provides an overview of how intellectual property issues arise in the context of transactions, notably issues that may arise across patent, trademark, and copyright law. It also covers how to assess intellectual property as a strategic asset and how to monetize IP while avoiding costly mistakes. The program also includes a panel discussion on IP issues for in-house counsel.
Private Equity Portfolio Company Governance is designed for private equity (PE) partners and managers, portfolio company executives, and independent directors who work together in boardrooms.
Cost Accounting and Hot Topics in Government Contracts Law
2023
Washington, DC, USA
Government Contracting courses provide an overview and discussion of the federal government contracting process, including the procurement laws, regulations, and practical requirements applicable to it. Nygina attended the Institute's Government Contracting Series from 2018-2023.
BCBR is the premier Silicon Valley corporate board incubator for a vetted and select group of America's top black executives to be prepared to serve on corporate boards. You can view Nygina's profile here.
From 2018-2022, Nygina attended a range of seminars and courses, including Legal updates in accounting, cost and pricing; Government contracts legal updates and ‘year in review’ topics; Forward Rate Pricing Agreements; and DCAA Audits Mitigating Risks.
The U.S. Army Judge Advocate General School
Advanced Contracts Law Course
2021
Washington, DC, USA
The Advanced Contract Law Course provides advanced instruction on specialized acquisition topics.
Nygina Mills will participate in this symposium taking place on November 13th. Hosted by Stanford Rock Center for Corporate Governance and Stanford Center for Legal Informatics (CodeX), the event is designed to equip boards and business leaders with essential knowledge and insights into the world of AI.
Cybersecurity Incident Response – What the Board Needs to Know
2023
This seminar focuses on the critical business of cybersecurity and why it should be a priority for every company and its board of directors. Among the many topics addressed are new vulnerability points that are continuously emerging, the risk of operational shutdowns, reputational damage, and regulatory consequences and how to prepare for potential cyberattacks.
The Private Company Governance Summit 2023 will address the various types of board/CEO relationships, and focus on tools and approaches that will strengthen the effectiveness of both directors and the C-suite.
Hosted by the PDA DC Metro Chapter, this event will focus on how companies and boards can prepare and react to a cyber incident. This will involve putting effective cyber-infrastructure in place, reacting to threats and minimizing risks.
Nygina participated in this webinar that focused on start-ups seeking venture-backed capital and discussed the various nuances and challenges of operating under a venture capital (VC) business model. The webinar convened a stellar panel composed of board members and leaders in the venture-capital industry to discuss strategies for creating value in a venture-backed company.
Taught by world-renowned Stanford Graduate School of Business faculty, the year-long LEAD program welcomes participants from over 160 countries. The program designed for senior executives and divisional leaders is an experiential learning journey focused on the innovation mindset needed to successfully navigate and implement real change.
The HBS Advanced Management Program is comprised of diverse senior executives and C-Suite members, 65% of whom are from businesses outside the U.S. The program offers instruction that helps proven senior executives more effectively tackle their organization's toughest strategic challenges and lead with greater confidence and inspire performance of employees at all levels.
Leveraging Grit and Growth Mindset to Drive Team Success
Apr 2023
Leveraging Grit and Growth Mindset to Drive Team Success is focused on understanding the impact of both grit and growth mindset on overall team performance, engagement, morale, and firm/organizational culture. The program also identifies best practices in building, nurturing, and sustaining gritty, growth mindset-oriented teams.
At this event, corporate leaders, cyber-policy experts and regulators will discuss innovative solutions that shape the future of cybersecurity and how businesses can best prepare themselves in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
Nygina was one of 14 selected for the EWG Program. Founded in 1973, prepares, promotes and supports women for senior leadership positions. EWG has built a powerful network to share experiences, enhance professional relationships and increase understanding among women executives.
Center for Creative Leadership
Leadership Development Program (LDP)
2019
A deeply personal, feedback-intense, transformative learning experience, this world-class professional development for leaders helps give clear perspective on who you are and how to thrive, both personally and professionally. Highlights include collaborating across the organization and across the globe and maintaining resilience in the face of uncertainty and complex problems.
Nygina was one of 40 candidates nationwide selected for strategic think-tank executive leadership program devising cutting edge practices to maximize diversity and strategic innovation, enhance operations during organizational change, leverage diversity in the global market place, leading teams to outstanding performance, and executive resiliency.
Transformational Leadership: Search Inside Yourself Program
2017
Established by Google, SIYLI offers programs, tools and content on mindfulness-based emotional intelligence, empathy, compassion, resilience, leadership and more, which have a positive impact helping to promote sustainable well being, motivation and high performance for individuals, teams and organizations.
Leadership, Motivating Others and Conflict Resolution: Leading Organizational Strategic Vision
2017
Washington, DC, USA
The DCAA offers formal mentoring and coaching programs and extensive leadership programs and certifications. Programs for auditors and other staff through the DCAA Leadership Academy are a commitment to cultivating professional excellence and supporting advancement.
The Federal Executive Institute (FEI) is an executive and management development and training center for governmental leaders. Nygina completed courses in The Essence of Leadership; Driving High Performance Organizations; Critical Thinking for Leaders; Developing a Leadership Champion Mindset; and Unconscious Bias for Leaders.
Nygina joined a panel titled 'Legal and Regulatory Update – Other Transaction Agreements'. The panel also included General Counsels of Defense Advanced Research Agency and NASA and a Partner at AM10 global law firm.
Nygina joined other government contracting industry executives on a panel titled 'DCAA, DCMA, and Regulatory Compliance Update: Legal Issues Affecting DCAA Audits'. The panel discussed a range of issues, including the current DCAA/DCMA environment, compliance matters, impact of business systems requirements in today’s marketplace and the latest legal updates that pertain to government contractors.
Nygina gave a talk titled 'Strategies for Successful Pre-Litigation Advocacy before claims are before the ASBCA, COFC and federal courts'. The talk educated in-house counsel and law firm attorneys nationally on successful pre-litigation advocacy on panel with in-house counsel at Kellogg Brown & Root subsidiary.
American Bar Association | Section of Public Contract Law
Panel member
2017
New York, NY, USA
Nygina joined a panel titled 'Swimming Upstream: Issues Keeping In-House Counsel Up At Night'. The panel educated in-house counsel and law firm attorneys nationally on advocacy issues.
The Committee on Admissions reviews all applications for admission to the District of Columbia Bar. The Committee administers the bar exam, conducts extensive character and fitness review, conducts informal conferences with applicants and formal hearings, and files recommendations with the court.
To become a licensed attorney in Massachusetts, an individual must meet the requirements and the qualifications established by the state's Supreme Judicial Court.
The State Board of Law Examiners coordinates the receipt and filing of applications for admission to the Maryland bar, administers the bar examination in Maryland, and investigates the legal competence and character of persons who seek a license to practice law in the state courts of Maryland.
The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar consists of seven members of the bar appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to oversee the administration of all aspects of bar admissions in the state.
Lawyers of Distinction announced that Nygina was featured in The Wall Street Journal as one of the most influential lawyers in the United States.
Nygina Mills is Recognized as NACD Directorship Certified®
Apr 2023
Washington, DC, USA
“I am honored to join the distinguished and diverse group of NACD Certified Directors who are committed to advancing the highest standards of boardroom excellence,” said Nygina Mills, NACD.DC. “The information I’ve learned and demonstrated via NACD’s certification program are key assets to the future companies I will serve, as well as to my professional growth as a director.”
