CEO
Americans Elect
Kahlil Byrd has dedicated his career to bringing people together through media and political engagement. After earning his master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2003, Kahlil co-founded and was named executive director of the African Public Broadcasting Foundation (APBF), which works to strengthen public service television throughout sub-Saharan Africa. He was one of the earliest staffers to join Deval Patrick’s historic 2006 governor’s race in Massachusetts, becoming communications director and senior strategist during the primary, and joining the new governor’s administration after Patrick’s victory. Kahlil has since run or advised Democratic, Independent, and Republican campaigns all over the country. He also served with the Council on Foreign Relations as a Term Member and International Affairs Fellow. As CEO of Americans Elect, Kahlil helps guide the organization’s development and growth, a $40 million budget, more than 50 company partners, and thousands of volunteers across the country who are dedicating themselves to the effort.