Kate Childs Graham

Kate Childs Graham is a political and communications strategist. As Chief Strategy Officer for the Human Rights Campaign, Kate focuses on turning vision into strategy—and strategy into impact—in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

A campaign and Capitol Hill veteran, Kate served as Vice President Kamala Harris’ Director of Speechwriting and advised on her presidential campaign. She was a producer of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, the head of the writers’ room in 2020, and a staff writer in 2016. She also served as an Executive Director at West Wing Writers, the premier narrative and speechwriting firm. 

Kate served as Director of Communications for Senator Amy Klobuchar and a Senior Advisor on her presidential campaign—and wrote speeches for principals and surrogates during the Clinton-Kaine campaign. Previously, Kate served as Director of Communications and Media Affairs at the American Federation of Teachers and as Senior Speechwriter at the American Federation of State, Municipal, and County Employees. She began her career working in the progressive faith and reproductive health movements. 

Kate's book, Why I Run: 35 Progressive Candidates Who Are Changing Politics, was released by ABRAMS in 2019. For many years, she wrote a column for the National Catholic Reporter, and she has appeared on MSNBC and CNN.