Duke State Relations works to advance the priorities of Duke with state policymakers and opinion leaders in order to achieve broad engagement in North Carolina and the region. Our office is responsible for representing Duke University, Duke Health and Duke LifePoint Healthcare issues and interests with government officials and legislators in Raleigh and throughout the state. Duke State Relations works closely with faculty and staff to advance Duke’s legislative and administrative interests, to connect Duke’s expertise to policymakers in state government, and to foster relationships with North Carolina officials on policies related to higher education, health care, employment, public safety and other issues that affect Duke’s stakeholders.

Staff

Doug Heron

Associate Vice President

Doug Heron is the Associate Vice President for Duke State Relations. He is responsible for representing the legislative, regulatory and policy interests of Duke University, Duke Health, and Duke LifePoint to elected and appointed officials throughout North Carolina.

Prior to joining Duke, he worked as a partner and an associate in a government relations practice at a large multistate law firm in Raleigh, NC representing clients on a wide variety of matters, including healthcare and higher education. He also served as the director of government affairs and legislative counsel for the North Carolina Bar Association, and prior to that spent several years lobbying in Washington, DC for a large international law firm.

Heron serves as the Chair of the Durham Chamber Public Policy Committee, and previously served as the President of the North Carolina Lobbyists Association.

Heron is a graduate of James Madison University, Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law, and the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. Heron achieved the rank of Captain in the US Army Reserves Judge Advocate General Corps. He is also a graduate of Leadership North Carolina Class XXV, a program that informs, develops, and engages committed leaders by broadening their understanding of and involvement in issues and opportunities facing the state.

 

Katie Lipe

Assistant Director

Katie Lipe joined Duke in 2019 and currently serves as the Assistant Director for Duke State Relations. She manages internal and external communications for Duke State Relations and oversees the “Duke in North Carolina” initiative which aims to demonstrate Duke’s presence, value, and impact across the state. Lipe also works to connect Duke faculty and staff with state policymakers to share research and expertise on legislative issues.

Prior to joining Duke, Lipe worked as a Legislative Assistant at the North Carolina General Assembly for a Senior House Appropriations Chairman. Before her time at the General Assembly, she participated in a public policy fellowship program at the UNC System Office.

Lipe is a proud alumna of East Carolina University where she was a member of the Honors College and graduated with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Communication Studies. During her time at East Carolina, she found her interest in legislative affairs through internships with the U.S. Senate and the N.C. House of Representatives.

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Duke in North Carolina

Explore Duke’s impact in each of the 100 counties of North Carolina. Find information on Duke alumni, employees, locations and recent news highlighting engagement in the local community.

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