Alumni-in-Residence: Sign Up for Office Hours with Jay Gilliam '04 of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

Jay Gilliam '04 is the Director of the Global program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and will be on campus to hold informational appointments with Amherst students on Friday, November 8.

Jay leads this program, which works alongside advocates, organizations and movements around the world to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people everywhere. During his time at HRC, Jay has successfully led organizing three annual Global Innovative Advocacy Summits, created an active alumni network of 125+ advocates from over 80 countries and trained dozens of advocates from every region of the world on LGBTQ advocacy. 

Prior to joining HRC, Jay served in the Obama administration at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for nearly five years working in the Bureau of Policy, Planning and Learning, the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, and in the Office of the Senior LGBTI Coordinator. In these roles, he shared how the Agency does more effective work and maximizes its impact in the development space; led USAID communications and public engagement efforts on LGBTI inclusive development work; and developed stories about the hard work done around the world to end extreme poverty. 

Jay also worked at the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A., where he successfully managed social media campaigns and online program outreach that spread stories to more people about the foundation’s important development work in Africa and Asia. At Peace Boat Japan in Tokyo, Jay developed public awareness and political advocacy campaigns, including a successful meeting with Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister.

Jay has served as Vice President and Communications & Outreach Director for GLIFAA, the employee group representing LGBTQ personnel, their families and their straight allies. Jay is also an active and enthusiastic member of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, serving on the board of directors, as Vice President of Membership, and as co-chair of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

Jay grew up in Arlington, Texas before leaving the Lone Star state for Amherst College in Massachusetts to get his BA in political science. He did his graduate studies on a Rotary Fellowship, earning an MA in peace studies at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. He is fluent in English and Japanese and speaks Spanish. 

Slots are limited, so sign up for yours today!

To book appointments instantly, students must submit a Loeb Center-approved resume. (Learn about this approval process here.) To book without an approved resume, please upload / submit your pending document, then e-mail careers@amherst.edu with your availability.