Patrick Gaspard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Gaspard
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Gaspard in 2010
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| United States Ambassador to South Africa | |
| In office October 16, 2013 – December 16, 2016 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Donald Gips |
| Succeeded by | Lana Marks |
| White House Director of Political Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 2009 – February 1, 2011 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Felts |
| Succeeded by | David Simas (2014) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patrick Hubert Gaspard
July 26, 1967 Kinshasa, Congo-Kinshasa |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | School of Visual Arts Columbia University |
Patrick Hubert Gaspard, born on July 26, 1967, is an American diplomat and political leader. He has held many important roles in government and non-profit organizations. He is known for his work with the Democratic Party.
Gaspard was the president of the Center for American Progress, which is a group that studies public policy. He also served as the United States Ambassador to South Africa. Before that, he was the executive director of the Democratic National Committee. From 2017 to 2020, he was the president of the Open Society Foundations.
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Patrick Gaspard's Early Life
Patrick Hubert Gaspard was born in Kinshasa, which is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His parents were from Haiti. They had moved to Congo because a leader named Patrice Lumumba asked French-speaking professionals to come help the country.
When Patrick was three years old, his family moved to the United States. He grew up in New York City. He went to Brooklyn Technical High School. Later, he studied at Columbia University from 1984 to 1987.
Patrick Gaspard's Career Journey
Working in New York City
Patrick Gaspard started his political career in New York City. He worked on Jesse Jackson's campaign for president in 1988. In 1989, he helped David Dinkins win the election to become the mayor of New York City.
Gaspard then worked as a special assistant for the Manhattan Borough President. He also served as a special assistant in Mayor Dinkins' office. From 1998 to 1999, he was the chief of staff for the New York City Council. After leaving city hall, he became an advisor to councilwoman Margarita Lopez.
In 2013, Gaspard advised Bill de Blasio during his successful campaign to become the mayor of New York City. De Blasio thanked him publicly after winning the primary election. Gaspard also helped de Blasio and his rival, Bill Thompson, make peace after a tough competition.
Working in National Politics
From 2003 to 2004, Patrick Gaspard worked for Governor Howard Dean's presidential campaign. He was the National Deputy Field Director. In 2004, he was the National Field Director for a group called America Coming Together.
Gaspard spent nine years working for 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. This is a very large labor union for healthcare workers in America. He was the executive vice president for politics and legislation.
At first, Gaspard did not want to work on Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2007. However, he later helped his union, SEIU, decide to support Obama. He officially joined Obama's campaign as a political director in June 2008.
Working with President Obama
After Obama won the election, Patrick Gaspard was named an Associate Personnel Director for Obama's team. This team helped prepare for the new president to take office. From January 2009 to 2011, he was the Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs for the Obama administration.
Gaspard then became the Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from 2011 to 2013. In this role, he helped lead the Democratic Party's efforts to re-elect President Obama.
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Becoming an Ambassador
In March 2013, it was announced that President Obama planned to nominate Gaspard to be the United States Ambassador to South Africa. His hearing in the Senate was on July 24, 2013. He officially started his role on August 26, 2013, and served until 2016.
As Ambassador to South Africa, Gaspard worked to make the relationship between the two countries stronger. He helped connect South African business owners with markets in the United States. He also worked on projects to develop clean energy and stop illegal wildlife trading. Gaspard helped the Obama Administration improve a program called PEPFAR, which helps with healthcare in South Africa.
After Being an Ambassador
In September 2017, Patrick Gaspard became the president of the Open Society Foundations. He held this position until December 2020.
After the 2020 presidential election, some news outlets reported that Gaspard might become the United States Secretary of Labor. However, Marty Walsh was chosen for that role instead. In 2021, Gaspard reportedly advised Maya Wiley during her campaign for mayor of New York City.
On June 30, 2021, the Center for American Progress (CAP) announced that Gaspard would become its President and CEO. This is a very important role because the Biden administration has close ties to CAP.
In May 2024, Gaspard strongly supported the right of university students in the United States to protest. They were protesting the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the Gaza war.
Patrick Gaspard's Personal Life
Patrick Gaspard is married and has two children. He is Catholic.
He enjoys poetry and has said that the poet and politician Aimé Césaire is a big inspiration to him. Gaspard also admires the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova. He has reportedly taken part in acting and spoken word performances in his free time.
Gaspard has received special honorary degrees from Columbia University in 2018 and Bard College in 2021.
He is a close friend of Bill de Blasio, who was the 109th Mayor of New York City. They met while working on David Dinkins' mayoral campaign in 1989. They became friends because they shared similar political views and both had family ties to the Caribbean.
Other Important Roles
- Central European University (CEU), Member of the Board of Trustees
- Paris Peace Forum, Member of the Steering Committee
