Dixon Osburn Email & Phone Number

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

ISD is a global think tank that seeks to fortify democracy and human rights by powering solutions to hate and extremism, political violence and partisanship, and disinformation -- all being hyper-charged by social media platforms and AI. We achieve our mission through cutting edge digital research, policy, and interventions.

Witty, self-deprecating, and incisive, Dixon can speak to LGBTQ equality, politics, democracy, partisanship, social justice and leadership honed by three decades experience confronting vexing social justice issues. Dixon has addressed groups with Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

District Of Columbia, United States

Amazon's #1 New Release in LGBTQ+Political Issues Reviews: “nail-biting,” “must-read,” “riveting,” “gripping.”Under “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” the Pentagon discharged 2-4 service members every day for being gay. Some were subjects of witch hunts. Others faced criminal charges. Many endured harassment, assault and threats. Repealing “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Developed strategic roadmaps for Open Society Policy Center on legislative options for holding federal officials accountable for constitutional violations, including federal law enforcement and national security agents.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Led efforts to hold accountable perpetrators of atrocity crimes through litigation and advance the rights of survivors to seek truth, justice and redress.
• Led board and staff in finalizing strategic plan and theory of change.
• CJA filed and won first war crimes case against Syria.
• CJA represented civil parties in Khmer Rouge trials leading to historic genocide conviction.
• Secured conviction of Pinochet officer for murder of famed singer / songwriter Victor Jara.
• Testified before Congress on "Pursuing Accountability for Atrocities"

Washington, D.C.

• Led efforts, through legislative, media and coalition strategies, to end counterterrorism policies that violate the rule of law with respect to detention, prosecution, lethal targeting and torture.
• Secured new law, through legislative, media and coalition strategies, to help close GTMO.
• Secured Senate Intelligence Committee votes to adopt and declassify CIA torture study.
• Defeated amendments to overturn Executive Order ending torture.
• Defeated defense bill amendments mandating military tribunals for all terror suspects.
• Led and grew group of 55 retired U.S. generals and admirals who oppose torture and GTMO.

The Osburn Network was a cutting edge strategic consulting firm for nonprofit organizations, foundations, and socially-minded businesses. Services include: Strategic Planning, Board Development, Interim Executive Management, Organizational Development, and Philanthropic Services.

• Served as Co-Founder and Executive Director of national security and civil rights organization that led efforts to repeal don’t ask, don’t tell.
• Crafted and implemented strategy ultimately leading to repeal of don't ask, don't tell.
• Helped secure other new legislation, agency regulations, and Executive Orders.
• Led response to 8,000 legal requests for assistance in thirteen years.
• Won two significant federal court victories.
• Grew budget from start-up to $2.8 million.

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Ab, English, Political Science