Zachary Blaifeder Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington D.C. Metro Area

For over 40 years, Project Interchange has provided in-depth insights into Israel’s diversity, democracy, and complexity to over 6,000 leaders from all 50 U.S. states and 110 countries, showing the real Israel to politicians, journalists, civil society leaders, and others. As Assistant Director of Program Development, I led Israel delegation itinerary development in cooperation with the Project Interchange program team and internal/external partners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I organized virtual programs and headed reorganization of Project Interchange's communications strategy. In December 2019, I staffed a delegation to Israel of U.S. state Secretaries of State in partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I filled roles on multiple teams in order to successfully carry out AJC’s mission: • Global Communications Department: Wrote and edited video content including "The Spirit of Solidarity", which was prominently featured during AJC’s 2021 Virtual Global Forum• Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs: Planned and executed relaunch event of Latino Jewish Congressional Caucus and updated Latino leadership database • Department of Policy and Diplomatic Affairs: Edited and updated country briefing papers

Washington, D.C.

I served as the key point of contact to all U.S.-based Project Interchange participants, ranging from university presidents, community leaders, journalists, and even a future prominent U.S. presidential candidate. I was also a key driver in information exchange internally at AJC and with external partner organizations in support of delegation recruitment, program development, and follow-up goals.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

In this role, I provided support to Project Interchange senior management, as well as to the programs and operations teams, to ensure an efficiently-run department. My duties were wide-ranging and included among other things, handling accounts payable and receivable, drafting newsletters for internal and external communication, and assisting senior management through the program's strategic planning process.

Santiago, Chile

Led by the United States government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, or pursue important research and professional projects.Based in Fulbright's Santiago, Chile office during my academic semester abroad, I provided guidance on personal statements, resumes, and admissions essays to Chileans accepted into the program who were in the process of applying to American universities. I also represented Fulbright at events at the U.S. Ambassador's residence and college fairs.

Washington D.C.

My introduction to the American Jewish Committee came in the fall of 2014 when I received a paid fellowship at the organization's National and Legislative Affairs Department. My duties included preparing Congressional backgrounders for AJC regional offices in preparation for advocacy meetings, drafting letters about key AJC advocacy issues, managing the department's Twitter page, and representing the organization at community/coalition meetings.

Washington D.C.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the official campaign arm of the Democrats in the House of RepresentativesWorking at Democratic National Headquarters, I assisted the field operations team in preparing Democratic House campaigns nationwide for the November 2014 election. Projects I worked on included compiling information on state voter registration, voter registration drives, and absentee balloting/early voting, reformatting the Committee's hiring database, and assisting in the planning of a Field Director training in Washington for campaign officials from around the country.

Rockville, Maryland

Interested in volunteering on a political campaign and gaining experience in electoral politics, I jumped aboard Cheryl Kagan's campaign for Maryland State Senate in advance of the June 2014 Maryland Democratic Primary. Cheryl and her team welcomed me with open arms and the skills I gained during my short time on the campaign are still invaluable to me today. The operation was a small one and I was assigned to a wide variety of duties, including knocking on doors and making phone calls on behalf of the candidate, conducting donor research, and drafting press releases and talking points. Cheryl ended up winning the race by 10 points in what many deemed Montgomery County, Maryland's most competitive primary during the election cycle.

Washington D.C.

My first internship in college, I got to learn about the inner-workings of Congress at the office of my hometown New Jersey Congressman, who represented the state's 11th Congressional District. My responsibilities included taking phone calls and sorting mail from constituents, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol building, and briefing staff on energy and international affairs issues.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Political Science And International Studies

Received AU Leadership Scholarship Graduation: December 2015 Attained degree in 3.5 years.

International Relations

American University study abroad in Santiago, Chile in Spring, 2015. All coursework completed in Spanish.