Patrick Gaspard is an American former diplomat who currently serves as the president of the Open Society Foundations. Gaspard has overseen the Open Society Foundations’ advocacy work in Washington and Brussels, as well as provided strategic direction and oversight to the organization’s programmatic agenda. He became the president of OSF upon the departure of Chris Stone, which was announced in September 2017. A noted Democratic Party political leader and campaign strategist, he previously served as United States Ambassador to South Africa from 2013 to 2016.
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. 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, Associate Personnel Director of President-elect Obama's transition team, 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. 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. 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. Gaspard spent nine years as the executive vice president for politics and legislation for the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers Eastlabor union, the largest local union in America.
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. His Senate confirmation hearing was held on July 24, 2013, and he was sworn into the post on August 26, 2013. 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. Earlier, de Blasio had personally thanked Gaspard in his primary victory speech.
