Patrick Gaspard (born 1967) is a lifelong community activist, and an American former diplomat who stepped down at the end of 2020 as the president of the Open Society Foundations. He became the president of OSF upon the departure of Chris Stone, which was announced in September 2017, and was followed by Mark Malloch Brown, a British Lord, Baron, and diplomat.

A noted Democratic Party political leader and campaign strategist, he previously served as United States Ambassador to South Africa from 2013 to 2016.

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.

Person

Birth 1967

Male

Congolese (Democratic Republic),

Americans

English