Title: Head of External Affairs
Company: OneMain Financial
Location: Rutland, Vermont, United States
Maggie Gage, head of external affairs at OneMain Financial, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in the financial services industry.
Ms. Gage has established an esteemed career in public policy, government relations and financial services, marked by her leadership roles at major institutions and her commitment to building high-performing teams. Since 2024, she has excelled as the head of external affairs at OneMain Financial, a leading non-bank lender specializing in non-prime lending. In this capacity, Ms. Gage oversees compliance with state laws, rules and regulations across 47 states, as well as federal oversight from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Ms. Gage’s primary responsibility is to ensure that OneMain Financial maintains good standing both legislatively and regulatorily at the state and federal levels. She manages a team of 10 professionals, focusing on addressing organizational gaps and fostering effective collaboration with state regulators. Under her guidance, Ms. Gage’s team has evolved into a cohesive unit adept at adapting to changing industry requirements.
From 2022 to 2024, Ms. Gage found much success as the head of public policy at OneMain Financial. During this period, she was instrumental in shaping the company’s approach to regulatory compliance and legislative engagement. Her leadership style emphasizes team dynamics over pedigree, resulting in strong, resilient teams that consistently improve organizational outcomes. She is particularly proud of her ability to create exceptional teams through unconventional methods, leaving each company she has served in a stronger position than when she arrived.
Prior to joining OneMain Financial, Ms. Gage worked as the head of United States government relations at MetLife from 2019 to 2022. Leading the office during the COVID-19 pandemic, she navigated the complexities of the insurance sector—a distinct area within financial services—at a Fortune 50 company. Her experience at MetLife broadened her understanding of how regulatory environments impact large-scale organizations.
Ms. Gage’s tenure at Credit Suisse spanned more than a decade and included several key leadership roles, including as the head of political strategies and Washington research from 2014 to 2019 and head of United States public policy from 2018 to 2019. During this time, she directed the firm’s political operations and research initiatives in Washington, District of Columbia. She was additionally active as the vice president from 2009 to 2012 and the director from 2012 to 2019.
During the financial crisis, Ms. Gage played a pivotal role as an advocate and lobbyist in drafting financial laws, notably contributing to the Dodd-Frank Act—a landmark piece of legislation regulating derivatives markets where Credit Suisse was a significant participant. Her involvement provided her with deep expertise in financial regulation that continues to inform her work today.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Gage was recruited as the director of federal relations at The Normandy Group LLC from 2007 to 2009, where she represented clients before Congress and federal agencies on a range of policy issues. From 2004 to 2007, she served as a legislative assistant for the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. In this role, she worked on intellectual property, antitrust issues, technology and telecommunications policy during a period marked by significant events such as the drafting of the Patriot Act and Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
Ms. Gage’s professional journey also includes experience as an analyst at Prudential Financial following her time with the Judiciary Committee. Although her tenure lasted six weeks due to the onset of the financial crisis and subsequent division liquidation, she gained valuable insights into how finance intersects with politics—an understanding that shaped her subsequent career trajectory. In addition to her corporate roles, Ms. Gage contributed to academia as an adjunct professor in professional studies in public relations and corporate communications at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies from 2013 to 2017.
Ms. Gage pursued a formal education at the University of Vermont in Burlington, from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and political science in 2004. While pursuing her undergraduate studies, she balanced dual interests in science and political science—a decision influenced by her advisor’s suggestion that she could double major by taking extra credits. An internship with then-Senator Pat Leahy introduced her to policy work for Vermont constituents and set her on a path toward public service.
Ms. Gage has continued her professional development through advanced certifications including Yale School of Management Leading Effective Decision-Making from Yale School of Management in 2020. SHe previously garnered credentials from FINRA Institute at Wharton-CRCP from Wharton Executive Education in 2010 as well as her Series 7; and Series 63 licenses. These certifications have enhanced her expertise in decision-making, regulatory compliance and financial operations.
Ms. Gage attributes much of her success to natural curiosity—a quality that has driven her proactive approach throughout her career—and persistence in overcoming obstacles by seeking creative solutions when faced with challenges. Her professional achievements have been recognized through features by Bloomberg and repeated inclusion on The Hill’s Top Lobbyists list since 2019. She is also an accomplished speaker who has participated in various public speaking engagements.
Civically engaged, Ms. Gage serves as a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and volunteers with DC Central Kitchen. She encourages community engagement among her teams at OneMain Financial by organizing volunteer efforts at food shelters across cities such as Dallas, Texas; Fort Mill, South Carolina; and Asheville, North Carolina.
Born in Rutland, Ms. Gage enjoys spending time outdoors with family—camping, hiking and running half marathons—as well as traveling and co-coaching her daughter’s soccer team alongside her husband. She values continuous learning and seeks opportunities to apply her knowledge of policy-making more extensively within business contexts through teaching or board service roles. Ms. Gage’s career reflects a commitment to progress defined not solely by titles or compensation but by meaningful contributions across sectors—from insurance and investment banking to consumer finance—and by developing a nuanced understanding of how regulations shape businesses globally.
For more information, please visit:
LinkedIn
Contact Ms. Gage:
