Chad Griffin

Chad Griffin is an American political strategist and civil rights advocate known for his leadership in the LGBTQ equality movement. Griffin began his career in politics by volunteering for the Bill Clinton presidential campaign, which led to a position in the White House Press Office at age 19. He became the youngest member of a presidential staff, serving as a White House Press Office manager for two years. During this time, Griffin also acted as White House liaison to the film "The American President," where he met producer Rob Reiner and later led Reiner's charitable foundation. He is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.

After his tenure at the White House and graduation from Georgetown, Griffin worked in California at the intersection of Hollywood and politics, leading statewide campaigns that secured funding for stem cell research and early childhood education. He also led initiatives in renewable energy, land conservation, anti-tobacco efforts, and marriage equality. Griffin co-founded the consulting firm Griffin Schake with Kristina Schake, former communications director for Michelle Obama.

Following the passage of California's Proposition 8, which barred the recognition of same-sex marriage, Griffin founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) to challenge the law. He recruited the bipartisan legal team of Ted Olson and David Boies to contest Proposition 8 in federal court, leading to the U.S. Supreme Court restoring marriage equality in California. Griffin also served as an executive producer of the documentary "Outrage," which investigated allegations of homosexuality among political figures who opposed LGBTQ rights.

Griffin was selected to succeed Joe Solmonese as president of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ advocacy and political lobbying organization in the United States. During his tenure, the organization led efforts to win marriage equality, introduced the Equality Act to establish federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ people, and launched grassroots expansions and new programs to expand protections across the Deep South and globally. Under Griffin's leadership, the Human Rights Campaign launched Project One America and HRC Global, and expanded its grassroots efforts through HRC Rising. The Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which resulted in nationwide recognition of same-sex marriages, marked a significant milestone during his leadership.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, membership doubled from approximately 1.5 million to more than 3 million during Griffin's tenure, and annual revenue increased from under $30 million to over $45 million. Griffin traveled to 47 cities across 23 states and campaigned for 50 candidates during the midterm elections. Upon his departure, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights presented Griffin with the Chairperson's Award at its annual Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner. He was also recognized by The Advocate as one of its People of the Year and ranked on Out magazine's "Power 50" list of the most powerful LGBTQ individuals in the United States. Griffin's career reflects a sustained commitment to political strategy, LGBTQ advocacy, and social change.