Sterling McHale (09) is a PLNU graduate with a B.A. in Political Science who has broken into the political world through a knack for meaningful connections, a willingness to engage with diverse ideas, and an openness to be guided on his journey to places he never thought he would go.
McHale grew up in the Valley Center area of San Diego. Growing up in a Latter-day Saint (LDS) family, McHale was exposed to religion from an early age, but not Christianity specifically. During his high school years, McHale started having some serious questions about his faith as a member of the LDS church and its theology. At this point in his life, McHale had to decide whether or not he would be going on a two-year international mission trip.
Duty is a very important concept to McHale, and because of the internal conflict he had with certain theological teachings, he knew that he would not be able to go on the mission trip. During this period, he experienced a disassembling of the beliefs and theology he grew up with.
“If I wasn’t going to be Mormon anymore, I wanted to investigate and figure out what worked for me,” McHale said.
McHale heard about PLNU through a couple of older school friends. After sustaining injuries that would prevent him from playing water polo in college, McHale gave PLNU serious consideration and ended up attending.
As a student, McHale was involved in the KPLR radio station and was a part of several honors societies. He ultimately decided to be a political science major after entering the school undeclared.
After making this decision, McHale became more involved in the political science community. He was a part of the political science honors society (Pi Sigma Alpha) and even led the group as the president during his senior year. McHale ran a psychology small group for freshmen and made sure to enroll in more fun classes like rock climbing and bowling.
Chapel was also something that McHale deeply enjoyed during his time at PLNU. He was able to wrestle with the questions he had and felt that the school created a safe space to do that.
“The structure of the learning and the conversations I got to have with the people that I met there was emboldening and enlightening and helpful to my personal journey,” McHale stated.
As his religious journey has progressed, McHale is grateful for the space PLNU provided for him to ask questions and grow in his spiritual life.
“Point Loma, in so many ways, helped me dive into not just Christianity, but also religious conversation that helped me make that search for myself,” McHale said.
McHale spent a semester at American University in Washington D.C. participating in the Capitals Program, which allows students to visit a state or federal capitol as part of their political science graduation requirements. McHale became very interested in local politics after this semester and participated in some internships and volunteer work in San Diego.
McHale was also able to study abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico for half the summer in order to meet his language requirements. He stayed with a family and other students and described it as a “really incredible time.”
McHale also earned an internship with the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA), a nonprofit policy group in downtown San Diego. He was connected with this organization through a lecture event hosted by PLNU.
At this event, McHale met a policy consultant that would be meeting with other consultants at the San Diego City Council to talk about water policy issues. McHale attended this meeting and was introduced to the executive director of SDCTA. This internship turned into a paid fellowship after graduation, and McHale also worked part-time at a political consulting firm.
This was the first time that McHale was working at a full time position and was able to network and make connections at this job. McHale made connections with members of both political parties and their organizations because he did not want to isolate himself from one side or the other.
At an event for one of these party organizations, McHale learned about a local elected official that was looking for a field representative. Even though McHale was not very interested in federal politics at the time, he decided to apply, and was surprised to end up earning the role of field representative for Nathan Fletcher, one of the only local officials Sterling had ever wanted to work for.
“It was kind of like a God thing,” McHale said. “Following the steps of the people that have been in my shoes and it led me to this opportunity.”
McHale worked as Fletcher’s field representative for two years, at the start of which Fletcher announced he would be running for the position of San Diego mayor. McHale worked on this campaign as well.
“It was nonstop,” McHale said. “It was hard work, it was gratifying work and I learned an incredible amount of things.”
Even after two years of hard work, Fletcher lost the mayoral campaign. McHale ended up moving out to D.C. with his wife who had a job opportunity lined up. McHale ended up working on the board of Scott Peters, with whom he worked for six years. The last three years McHale served as Peters’ legislative director.
“We had a team of about four people who divided up every issue under the sun and we were serving San Diegans with him [Scott Peters],” McHale said. “It was incredible.”
After working with Peters for six years, McHale left this position to work as the Director of Government Relations for Shield AI, a technology company that builds AI-powered tools and machinery. This company was in need of someone to build their government relations team from the ground up.
While working in the Congressional office, McHale was involved with issues surrounding national security and energy and had received job offers in those areas, but was drawn to the work Shield AI was doing. Shield AI was a small startup with only 200 people when McHale joined their team, and he has been able to learn a lot about the business and technology side of policy.
McHale and his team work with the political side of business deals that Shield AI makes with the federal government. The company makes AI pilots for the military, and McHale handles the contractual and legislational side of business.
“I get to work everyday advocating for this company and the people that make really fascinating technology,” McHale said. “I get to tell their stories and tell what it means to be a part of a highly regulated industry where our #1 customer is the federal government.”
Even though McHale ended up in the exact position he initially tried to avoid, he did not try to control his own journey and trusted that God would guide him. The meaningful work he has been a part of and the lessons learned along the way have become highlights of his career.
“The journey is intrinsic to your integrity as a professional,” McHale stated. “That is what it comes down to for me.”
“The journey is intrinsic to your integrity as a professional. That is what it comes down to for me.”
