Basic Info
First Name | Liam |
Last Name | Kahn |
Username | Liam_C_Kahn |
Additional Contact Information
Pronouns | He/Him/His |
Progressive Profile
Current Employer | Self-Employed |
Current Occupation | Independent Consultant |
Tagline | Advocate, Strategist, and Maker of Mischief – Political Affairs & Government Relations Professional |
Bio | My interest in politics began when I became one of the five founders of my high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, working to change the school’s culture from within. Unfortunately, homophobia and bullying forced me to drop out and complete my education by achieving my GED and attending college early. I went on to become the youngest Deputy Town Supervisor in the history of Woodstock, New York, being sworn in exactly one month after turning 18. I have subsequently gone on to work in political affairs, government relations, entertainment, and non-profit worlds, often marrying my skills in a variety of ventures. This has included working on the production and games team of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, fundraising for Juan Figueroa, who became the first Puerto Rican American elected Sheriff in New York history, and becoming National Campaign Manager and then Executive Director for Drag Out The Vote where I designed the Drag Ambassador Program, a successful effort that recruited more than 300 drag artists to serve as organizers in the 2020 and 2022 General Elections. From 2021 till 2023 I was with Bolton-St. Johns as a Senior Associate for Political Affairs, joining a dedicated team at one of New York’s premiere government relations and public affairs firm that specializes in developing research-based and solution-oriented strategies. While there I focused on federal government relations and political affairs with a multi-lens focus of national, statewide, and local races. |
Impact | As Political Director & National Campaign Manager, and then subsequently Director of Government Affairs before being appointed Executive Director, for Drag Out The Vote I had the privilege of designing, launching, and managing the Drag Ambassador Program. I designed a digital and relational organizing program that recruited and trained drag artists in 44 state to be organizers in the 2020 and 2022 General Elections. By using their natural marketability as performers, unique positions with the LGBTQIA+ community, and their natural instincts for coalition engagement, we launched a direct voter contact program that has, to date, engaged over 750,000+ voters in critical swing states and historically underserved communities. |
Mission | I am now at a point in my career where I am seeking a leadership or senior leadership role within a larger organization that combines my skills in progressive politics, political affairs, government relations, coalition buildings and campaign strategy. A role within these realms, or a mix of them, is my desire. Such positions, for example, could be a Director or Senior Director of Political Affairs or a Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy. |
Work History
Employer | Bolton-St. Johns/ERG Advisors |
Occupation | Senior Associate for Political Affairs |
Start Date | February 8, 2021 |
End Date | March 13, 2023 |
Employer | Drag Out The Vote |
Occupation | Executive Director |
Start Date | November 1, 2019 |
End Date | December 5, 2022 |
Employer | Hudson Valley Votes |
Occupation | Co-Founder, Partner, & Political Director |
Start Date | January 1, 2018 |
End Date | November 4, 2020 |
Employer | Special Olympics International |
Occupation | Legal Administrator and Guest Relationship Manager |
Start Date | November 4, 2016 |
End Date | January 1, 2018 |
Employer | Cory Crowley & Co. |
Occupation | Junior Associate and Research Assistant |
Start Date | January 1, 2015 |
End Date | January 1, 2016 |
Employer | Self-Employed |
Occupation | Independent Consultant |
Start Date | January 1, 2014 |
Employer | Town of Woodstock |
Occupation | Deputy Supervisor |
Start Date | January 3, 2012 |
End Date | May 23, 2013 |
Volunteer History
Organization | CUNY LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board |
Role | Board Member |
Start Date | November 1, 2022 |
Organization | Stonewall Democrats of NYC |
Role | Member |
Start Date | December 7, 2022 |
Organization | Manhattan Young Democrats |
Role | Member |
Start Date | December 7, 2022 |
Organization | Blue Future Fellowship |
Role | Fellow |
Start Date | August 1, 2018 |
End Date | November 6, 2018 |
Organization | Woodstock Environmental Commission |
Role | Commissioner |
Start Date | March 1, 2016 |
End Date | October 31, 2016 |
Organization | Hillary for America |
Role | Volunteer Coordinator |
Start Date | April 1, 2016 |
End Date | July 31, 2016 |
Education
School | SUNY Ulster |
Honors and Achievements | Studied under Dr. Ray Raymond, MBE, former U.S.-U.K. Relations Advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Tutored students in American Government 101 and 102. |
School | George Washington University. |
Honors and Achievements | Studied comparative political, economic, and social systems as they relate to residual effects of civil war and terrorism on formation of stable democratic governments. |