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.