Sean P. Murphy is Senior Vice President for Federal Affairs at the Consumer Brands Association. On behalf of its members from across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, he directs the organization’s bipartisan engagement with the U.S. Congress, the White House and executive branch departments and agencies.  

Prior to joining Consumer Brands in September 2026, Sean amassed valuable experience and perspectives during his diverse career in both the federal government and private sector. At the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), he was the agency’s liaison with the White House and Capitol Hill, and negotiated market-opening agreements benefiting American companies, farmers, ranchers and workers. He later served as a senior advisor in the Washington, D.C. office of a major international law firm and at a trade association representing the global technology industry. He also built, expanded and directed the in-house state, local, federal and international government relations and public policy functions at Qualcomm Inc. and Dolby Laboratories.   

A frequent public speaker and thought leader, Sean often engages with the news media and think tanks and has testified before the U.S. Congress. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has served on the boards and advisory councils of several organizations, including the World Economic Forum.  A licensed attorney, he holds degrees from the Georgetown University Law Center, the University of Cambridge and the University of California, Santa Barbara.  

Sean resides in the Washington, D.C. area with his family – who serve as test subjects in his ongoing quest to perfect homemade burnt Basque cheesecake.