Gautam Raghavan is a first-generation Indian immigrant in the United States who serves as a political consultant in the U.S. government. He served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel (WH PPO) from January 20, 2021 to December 12, 2021. On December 12, 2021, US President Joe Biden promoted him from deputy to head of WH PPO. He is one of the Indians who holds the highest position in the US government along with prominent aides to the US President.
Wiki/Biography
Gautam Raghavan was born in Hyderabad, India. He received his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′ 9″
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
Gautam Raghavan’s father’s name is Chidambaram Raghavan, who is an engineer. His mother’s name is Kamini and she is an interior designer.
Gautam Raghavan (far left) with his parents, husband and daughter
husband and children
Gautam Raghavan married Andrew Masloski on September 6, 2010. The couple has a daughter named Maya.
Gautam Raghavan with husband and daughter
Relationships/Affairs
Gautam Raghavan was in a relationship before marrying Andrew Masloski.
Gautam Raghavan and boyfriend
Profession
Gautam Raghavan started working at Progressive Majority in 2005 as a Development Assistant. In 2008, he served as Asian American Finance Director at Obama for America. From 2006 to 2009, he served as the Midwest Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee. From 2009 to 2011, he served as White House Liaison and Deputy White House Liaison in the U.S. Department of Defense. In the same department, he also serves as the outreach lead for the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell task force. From 2014 to 2017, he served at the Gill Foundation. Gautam Raghavan served as deputy director of the Office of Public Engagement under President Barack Obama from October 15, 2011 to January 20, 2017. As a gay employee and deputy White House director, Gautam Raghavan raised issues relevant to the LGBT+ community, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, including those related to marriage equality, workplace nondiscrimination, transgender rights, eliminating bullying in the office, Access to medical facilities, hate violence, and immigration reform.
Gautam Raghavan and Barack Obama
After Gautam Raghavan highlighted these issues, then-President Barack Obama came out in support of marriage equality in the United States. Later, Obama ordered a ban on federal contractors discriminating against Americans based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Gautam Raghavan is associated with progressive American organizations such as the Biden Foundation and ImPact (Indian American Impact Project and Fund). These are NGOs working for social change in the United States. He served as Executive Director of ImPact from 2016 to 2018 and participated in its founding. In December 2018, Gautam joined Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal as chief staffer and worked there until July 2020.
Gautam Raghavan and Pramila Jayapal (centre)
Gautam Raghavan was appointed by the White House Biden-Harris transition team in June 2020 as deputy director for presidential appointments. On January 20, 2021, he was promoted to deputy director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office (WH PPO). On December 12, 2021, after the United Nations Secretary-General “Antonio Guterres” announced the former head Cathy Russell as the next Executive Director of UNICEF, Joe Biden will Promoted to Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. Shortly after appointing Gautam to a key White House post, Joe Biden said:
I’m also pleased that Gautam Raghavan, who has worked with Cathy since day one, will become the new director of the PPO – a seamless transition that will allow us to continue building an efficient, effective, reliable and diverse federal workforce. “
Gautam Raghavan poses with colleagues at the White House
Facts/Trivia
- Gautam Raghavan left the ImPact organization in 2018 when he was offered the opportunity to serve as a senior advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who was elected to a senior position in the US government. Raj Goyle, co-founder of the ImPact organization, speaking on behalf of Gautam on his last day at the ImPact Foundation, said Gautam worked tirelessly to enhance the foundation of the ImPact organization. He said,
As our founding Executive Director, Gautam worked tirelessly to increase the visibility of our organization, our community, and our leaders. While we are sad to lose him, we are pleased that he will become a senior advisor to Congresswoman Jayapal, one of the most prominent Indian Americans in elected office today. This talent pipeline is why IMPACT exists. “
- In 2018, Gautam Raghavan published a book titled “Western Edge: Stories of Dreamers, Changemakers, and Hope Makers in the Obama White House.”
Cover of the book “Western Frontier”
- Gautam is gay. According to him, he is the luckiest person to have his sexual orientation accepted by his parents and grandparents. He said in an interview that his husband and daughter also received approval from their parents, which ultimately helped him focus more on his career. He said,
I’m very lucky.From the day I came out [as being gay] To my parents, they have been unwavering in their love and support – over the years they have helped me come out to my family, including my grandparents, who have expressed their love and support to me, my husband and our daughter love and support. This good fortune extended to my career as well. “
Gautam Raghavan (inside circle) with his husband and parents
- On December 12, 2021, the White House elaborated on Gautam Raghavan’s previous responsibilities and positions at a media conference. It mentioned,
Raghavan served as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and advised organizations focused on advancing civil rights and social justice, Serves as an advisor to the Biden Foundation and on policy for the Vice President Gill Foundation. “
The White House also laid out his efforts during the Obama-Biden administration as a liaison to the LGBTQ+ and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the White House Office of Public Engagement. Gautam continues to serve as the outreach lead for the U.S. Department of Defense’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” task force.
- Gautam Raghavan lives in Washington, D.C., with his husband and daughter. They have a pet dog and Gautam often shares pictures of his pet dog on his Twitter account.
Gautam Raghavan with his family and pet dog
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education