Jesse Salazar

Council on foundations

A senior leader of the Council on Foundations since 2013, Jesse is currently responsible for creating and implementing thought leadership around matters most pressing for the philanthropic field. He works closely with experts on philanthropy, practitioners, and the Council’s staff to advance the Council’s programmatic agenda. He uses his deep understanding of the social sector to ensure the Council’s content is driving a knowledge agenda in support of the Council’s mission.

Jesse specializes in public affairs, policy, strategic planning, and communications. His diverse group of employers includes a U.S. Senator, Cabinet Secretary, a Governor, and two national nonprofit leaders. Before coming to the Council, he served as Vice President of Government Relations and Policy for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Salazar earned his M.A. from Princeton University and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

He also serves as Chair-Elect of the Communications Network, the premier national organization for social sector communications professionals. There, he co-chaired the most recent strategic planning process, which has helped guide the organization to significant growth. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow with the Truman National Security Project and former Director of its Philadelphia Chapter. He also serves on the National Hispanic Advisory Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

In 2016, the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations named him the winner of its prestigious Milestones in Mentoring award for his work to cultivate young leaders in PR.

Jesse lives with his best friend and partner, Tom, in Baltimore, MD, where they run a small inn downtown, laugh often, and enjoy CrossFit together.