Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique, and what our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect how their time at HKS has shaped their careers and lives.
Since graduating from HKS, David Grasso MPP 2009 has forged an unconventional career path, all while staying involved in Harvard’s alumni groups and grounded in public service.
Here’s what he shared.
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“The lens I developed at HKS has allowed me to thrive and build a career that’s both impactful and unconventional.”
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2025Continues to shape his own path
In addition to Project Amicus, David appears regularly on national television as a nonpartisan commentator, breaking down politics and economics. He has also been fortunate to receive long-term support from one of the founders of Home Depot for his nonprofit work, which has focused on media, public awareness, and issue-based advocacy.
More recently, he joined America-Ukraine Strategic Partners as Head of Partnerships, working on Ukrainian reconstruction. He also serves part-time as the communications lead for a fast-growing cybersecurity firm. David remains involved in the Harvard and HKS communities, serving as the head of the HKS Alumni Pride Caucus and a co-chair of the Harvard Business School Club of Houston.
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2016Works as the executive director at Bold TV
David began this non-profit—first called Bold TV and renamed Project Amicus, Inc. in 2022—to promote LGBTQ+ safety and civil liberties through media. In his role, he leads strategy, partnerships, and operations.
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2010Begins non-traditional career path at the intersection of media, communications, and public impact
After leaving politics, David worked as a local television reporter in Florida and Texas, then moved to New York City.
“I never found traditional jobs particularly compelling—so I created my own path. Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked across the private and nonprofit sectors, building a career at the intersection of media, communications, and public impact.”
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2009Graduates from HKS and begins working as a legislative assistant at the Florida State Legislature
After graduating in the middle of the Great Recession, David moved to Tallahassee and jumped headfirst into the world of Cuban-American state politics, working for a legislator who represented Miami. Between serving Cuban coffee to constituents and writing speeches, David quickly realized politics wasn’t the right long-term path for him.
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2007Begins the MPP Program
“To say I was active on campus would be an understatement.”
When David arrived on campus, he and a classmate revived the then-dormant LGBTQ Caucus and led it for two years. He also served as the social chair for the Republican Caucus and president of the Real Estate Club, and he was active in several cross-campus initiatives.
In addition to his involvement in student organizations, he participated in a study group with political consultant and fellow Cuban-American Alex Castellanos and often attended events hosted by the Center for Public Leadership and the Shorenstein Center.
Inside the classroom, David enjoyed a course he took with David Gergen and Elaine Kamarck during the first Obama election and real estate finance courses as a part of his Business and Government Policy concentration.
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2006
David’s best friend Cherie Ramirez, who was pursuing her PhD at Harvard Medical School, encouraged him to attend a prospective student open house at HKS.
“While there, I met the Associate Dean of Students, who strongly encouraged me to apply, given my background in the nonprofit sector, public service, and journalism. The rest, as they say, is history.”
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2006Begins working at Piedroba Marina Consutling
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2006Graduates from Rollins College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies
“Nearly two decades ago, I don’t think any of us anticipated the extent to which everything would become politicized. But my degree gave me the tools to operate effectively and efficiently in this complex environment.”
