Liz Filmore is the first woman in the state’s over-200-year history to hold the position of Chief of Staff to the Governor of Alabama.
Sitting at her desk inside the state capitol in Montgomery, she reflects, “Being the first woman to serve in this role in this capacity is very humbling.”
“In most situations, the room is completely male, except for Governor Ivey and me. You have to set expectations that you’re going to be respected and worthy of sitting at the table,” says Filmore.
“When I came into this role [in December 2021], it was an election year, and the Governor was on the ballot for her second term. I had had a baby between the primary and general election and then went into the inauguration and the first legislative session with a six-month-old. I hope that in the time I’ve been here I can pave the way for others to be in this position, that we can do it.”
Filmore’s journey to public service began during her junior year of high school, when the Montgomery native attended Alabama Girls State at Troy University.
“Through that experience, I blossomed into who I am,” she says.
It also played an influential role in her decision to attend Troy University, where she involved herself in many leadership organizations across campus. “Leading students that were my peers helps me in my day to day now,” says Filmore.
Another dream sparked during Filmore’s time at Girls State: Working for Ivey, whom she identified as a role model. While completing her Master of Public Administration at Troy, a professor urged Filmore to apply to an internship for the Alabama Legislature.
“Working that session in the Legislature set the foundation of the knowledge that I have of the political process and state government as a whole,” she said.
It also provided the opportunity for Filmore to be reintroduced to Ivey, who was Lieutenant Governor at the time, before joining her reelection campaign in 2013. Filmore’s career alongside Ivey has flourished from there.
“From day one, the Governor has trusted me and the work that I do. For her to have that confidence in me gives me confidence in my day-to-day work and leading our team,” Filmore said. “Empowering the team around me is what speaks to the success that we have had.”
No one day is the alike at the state capitol, but Filmore approaches each with the same mentality: “I come into every day with the energy that whatever is going to go on, I’m going to make a difference,” she says. She describes her role as “a strategic visionary position” as Ivey’s righthand woman, helping set the stage for the Governor to accomplish everything she sets out to do.
Filmore also credits the administration’s accomplishments to the hardworking team around her.
“I’m proud of the dedicated, passionate people who wake up every day to do the right thing and to make Alabama the best it can be,” she says. Just as Ivey has put trust and confidence in Filmore, the Chief of Staff leads the team around her in a similar fashion.
“I would describe myself as someone who gives the people around me flexibility to be creative and do their work. I see my role as empowering people. If we are hiring someone to serve in this office or as a cabinet member, you are putting them in place because you “trust the work that they do,” she says.
“Our Governor truly respects the work that we do, and that is what guides me every day. I’m directing and creating strategic visions, but everyone else is also working to develop that.”
With her passion for serving Alabama and dedication to make our state the best it can be, the future is bright for Filmore.
She attributes her successes to her role model and mentor, Governor Ivey.
“This award is not possible without her. I credit Governor Ivey for giving me this opportunity, trusting me, and having confidence in my work. We couldn’t do the work we do every day without her visionary leadership and commitment to this state,” says Filmore.
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