Jay Gilliam ’04 is the Director of the Global program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). He 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. Jay majored in Political Science during his time at Amherst and then went on gain his master’s in peace studies at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. 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.