Patrick Gaspard

Patrick Gaspard
United States Ambassador to South Africa
In office July 24, 2013 – December 16, 2016
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Donald Gips
Succeeded by	Vacant
White House Director of Political Affairs
In office January 20, 2009 – February 1, 2011
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Jonathan Felts
Succeeded by	David Simas
Personal details
Born	1967 Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Columbia University

Patrick Gaspard (born 1967) is the president of the Open Society Foundations.^[1] Ambassador Gaspard has overseen the Open Society Foundations’ advocacy work in Washington and Brussels, as well as provides strategic direction and oversight to the organization’s programmatic agenda.^[1] He will become the president of Open Society Foundations upon the departure of Chris Stone, which was announced in September 2017.^[2]

He previously served as United States Ambassador to South Africa. He is a noted Democratic Party political leader and campaign strategist.

Background

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Haitian parents, Gaspard moved with his parents to the United States when he was three years old.^[3] Gaspard graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and attended Columbia University from 1994 to 1997.

He is married and has two children.

Career

As the U.S. ambassador to South Africa from 2013-16, Gaspard worked to strengthen civil society and worked in partnership with the South African government to develop the country’s healthcare infrastructure and to support innovations in local governance.

He also worked to connect South African entrepreneurs to United States markets; develop clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies; and to end wildlife trafficking.^[1]

Prior to becoming ambassador to South Africa, Gaspard was most well known for his time at the White House and as the day-to-day leader of the Democratic Party headquarters. He served as the Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee from 2011-13, overseeing the party committee's efforts to re-elect President Obama. Previously, he was the Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs for the Obama administration from January 2009-11,^[3][4] Associate Personnel Director of President-elect Obama's transition team,^[5] and National Political Director of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

Gaspard's early career was spent in New York City, including working on the 1988 Jesse Jackson presidential bid and David Dinkins's successful 1989 mayoral campaign.^[6]

He went on to serve as a special assistant in the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and special assistant in the Office of Mayor Dinkins, and later, from 1998-1999, chief of staff to the New York City Council.^[7] In 2003-2004, he worked for Governor Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign as the National Deputy Field Director, and in 2004, was the National Field Director for America Coming Together.^[7]

Gaspard spent nine years as the executive vice president for politics and legislation for the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East labor union, the largest local union in America.^[8][9]

Ambassador to South Africa

It was leaked in March 2013 that President Obama was planning to nominate Gaspard to the post of United States Ambassador to South Africa.^[10] His Senate confirmation hearing was held on July 24, 2013,^[11] and he was sworn into the post on August 26, 2013.^[12][13]

Gaspard is a close friend of Bill de Blasio, the Mayor of New York City. In September 2013, he brokered a peace between de Blasio and his primary rival Bill Thompson that prevented Thompson from challenging de Blasio in a runoff.^[14] Earlier, de Blasio had personally thanked Gaspard in his primary victory speech.^[15]

Gaspard claimed in a tweet on 13 January 2018 that South Africa has a "more inclusive" constitution than the United States.^[16][17]

References

External links