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Date and Location
Betsy Pearlman
Join us for a conversation with Rufus Gifford on the evolving dynamics of the transatlantic relationship, with a focus on Greenland, Denmark, NATO, and broader questions of global security. Drawing on his experience at the highest levels of U.S. diplomacy, Gifford will explore how strategic interests, alliances, and regional politics are shaping cooperation across the Atlantic. The discussion will also touch on the domestic political forces influencing foreign policy decisions—and what lies ahead for the transatlantic community in a rapidly changing world.
Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person.
About Rufus Gifford
Rufus Gifford is a former U.S. Ambassador, senior aide to Presidents Obama, Biden and Vice President Harris, civic leader, public speaker, an advocate for Democratic causes.
Most recently Gifford served as Finance Chair of the Biden-Harris and Harris-Walz Campaigns amassing a record 2.2 billion dollars for the effort. Prior to that he was the Chief of Protocol of the United States with the rank of Ambassador and Deputy Campaign Manager for Biden for President in 2020 with a focus on finance, external outreach and coalition building. Aside from Presidential politics, he is focused on promoting civic engagement, particularly among youth and issue areas ranging from U.S. public diplomacy to renewable energy.
From 2013 to 2017, Rufus served as the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark where he led efforts to address the effects of climate change, build international coalitions, and invest in clean energy. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his meritorious service.
His pioneering tenure as Ambassador has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, CNN, and Vice News, among many other national and international outlets, and he has spoken extensively across Europe and the United States about his efforts to break down walls and humanize the work of government
Prior to Government service, Rufus was the National Finance Director for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. During Obama’s first term, Rufus was the National Finance Director at the Democratic National Committee and supported passage of a number of Obama policy initiatives. Before that, he was an aide on Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign.
A native of Massachusetts, Rufus holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University. He is married to veterinarian Dr. Stephen DeVincent and they live in Concord, Massachusetts with their Golden Retrievers, Svend and Odin.