Garrett Boorojian and the 62nd U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, 34th Chief of Protocol of the U.S., former Finance Chair for 2024's Biden for President and Harris for President, former DNC National Finance Director, Brown University alumnus, Rufus Gifford

Garrett Boorojian and the 62nd U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, 34th Chief of Protocol of the U.S., former Finance Chair for 2024's Biden for President and Harris for President, former DNC National Finance Director, Brown University alumnus, Rufus Gifford

Author: Garrett Boorojian September 15, 2025 Duration: 43:50

Garrett Boorojian and Rufus Gifford discuss relationship building in a team environment.

https://www.elrodgifford.com/

https://www.elrodgifford.com/#services

"Rufus Gifford

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Rufus Gifford is a former U.S. Ambassador, senior aide to Presidents Obama, Biden and Vice President Haris, civic leader, public speaker and advocate for Democratic causes.

Most recently Gifford served as Finance Chair of the Biden-Harris and Harris-Walz campaigns amassing a record $ 2.2 billion for the efforts. Prior to that he was the Chief of Protocol of the United States with the rank of Ambassador and Deputy Campaign Manager for Biden for President in 2020 with a focus on finance, external outreach and coalition building. Aside from Presidential politics, he is focused on promoting civic engagement, particularly among youth and issue areas ranging from U.S. public diplomacy to renewable energy.

From 2013 to 2017, Rufus served as the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark where he led efforts to address the effects of climate change, build international coalitions, and invest in clean energy. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for his meritorious service.

His pioneering tenure as Ambassador has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, CNN, and Vice News, among many other national and international outlets, and he has spoken extensively across Denmark and the United States about his efforts to break down walls and humanize the work of government.

Prior to Government service, Rufus was the National Finance Director of the Democratic National Committee and supported passage of a number of Obama policy initiatives including the Affordable Care Act. Before that, he was an aide on Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign. During Obama’s first term, Rufus was the National Finance Director of the Democratic National Committee and supported passage of a number of Obama’s policy initiatives, most notably the Affordable Care Act. Before that, he was an aide on Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign.

A native of Massachusetts, Rufus holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University. He is married to veterinarian Dr. Stephen DeVincent and they live in Concord, Massachusetts with their Golden Retrievers, Svend and Odin."

https://deadline.com/2025/03/adrienne-elrod-rufus-gifford-political-strategy-firm-1236326951/

"Democratic Campaign Veterans Adrienne Elrod And Rufus Gifford Launch Political And Public Affairs Strategy Firm

By Ted Johnson

March 17, 2025 2:00am

"...Gifford was finance chair of the Harris-Walz and Biden-Harris campaigns, which raised a combined $2.2 billion. He was chief of protocol with the rank of ambassador during the Biden administration, and served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark..."


Garrett Boorojian hosts WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment, a podcast that digs into the human dynamics behind high-stakes success. Each conversation moves beyond typical interviews to explore how trust, communication, and genuine connection are forged under pressure. The guest list is a testament to the universal application of these principles, featuring Hall of Fame athletes from football, basketball, and baseball, Olympic medalists, Emmy-winning media figures, and top coaches and executives. These are individuals for whom "team" is not a corporate buzzword but the fundamental mechanism of achievement. You'll hear firsthand accounts of navigating locker rooms, boardrooms, and creative collaborations. The discussions are grounded in real stories-from the tension before a championship game to the delicate negotiations of a major business deal-revealing the practical methods these professionals use to build cohesive units. This isn't abstract theory; it's lived experience dissected to uncover what actually works. Whether you're leading a sports team, a business department, or any collaborative project, this podcast offers a rare look at the relational craftsmanship required to excel. Garrett guides these explorations with a focus on actionable insight, making each episode a masterclass in the subtle art of working with others.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment
Podcast Episodes
Garrett Boorojian and Women's Pro Baseball League Co-Founder, Counsel at Dentons, former Counsel at Heenan Blaikie, former Corporate Counsel at Toyota Canada, Canadian businessman who met with John F. Kennedy Jr. before JFK Jr.'s passing, Keith Stein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:32
Women's Pro Baseball League Co-Founder Keith Stein:Served as Corporate Counsel for Toyota Canada, learned Japanese, and "created a Japanese North American Friendship Foundation for Young Professionals."Served as "the rig…
Garrett Boorojian and Bloomberg News Political Contributor, Political Science / International Studies Professor at Iona University, Visiting Fellow at Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Author, Pollster, Jeanne Sheehan Zaino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:38
Garrett Boorojian and Jeanne Sheehan Zaino discuss relationship building in a team environment.Garrett and Dr. Zaino, who's a Bloomberg News contributor, an Iona University political science and international studies pro…
Garrett Boorojian and Chief Content, Communications, and Marketing Officer at the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative; Founder and President of Minassian Media; Assistant Press Secretary in the Clinton – Gore White House, Craig Minassian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:38
Garrett Boorojian and Craig Minassian discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.clintonfoundation.org/about-the-clinton-foundation/leadership#leadership-team/"CRAIG MINASSIANCHIEF CONTENT, COMMUNICA…
Garrett Boorojian and Chief Service Officer in the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Mayor of Novato (California) and City Council Member, former U.S. Navy Lt. Commander (JAG Corps), 2026 Lt. Governor Candidate (CA), Josh Fryday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:40
Garrett Boorojian and Josh Fryday discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://serve.ca.gov/josh-fryday-bio/"Josh FrydayGO-Serve Director and California Chief Service OfficerAs a member of the Governor Gav…
Garrett Boorojian and Founder of DC Student Defense, former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Counsel to former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, CNN Legal Analyst, Alumnus of Vassar College, Sarah Lawrence College, and Georgetown Law Center, Shanlon Wu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
Garrett Boorojian and Shanlon Wu discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.shanlonwu.com/about/"About Shan WuShanlon “Shan” Wu is a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer whose practice areas include white-c…
Garrett Boorojian and 4x Pro–Bowler, 2x All–Pro, 1999 AFC Champion, Super Bowl 34 Runner–up, Ball State Athletics Hall of Famer, Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer, Indiana Sports Hall of Famer, Senior Bowl Hall of Famer, Radio Co–Host, Blaine Bishop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
Garrett Boorojian and Blaine Bishop discuss relationship building in a team environment.Blaine was a 4x Pro–Bowler and 2x All–Pro (1995, Pro Football Writers; 2000, Associated Press).Note: During my interview with Blaine…
Garrett Boorojian and Podcast Host of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh, former U.S. Congressman (R–IL), former Tea Party Movement Activist, former friend and political mentor of the late Charlie Kirk, Book Author, Democrat, Joe Walsh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:52
Garrett Boorojian and Joe Walsh discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-contract-with-joe-walsh/id1590913798"The Social Contract with Joe WalshAboutAmerica, we…
Garrett Boorojian and 1995 National Champion (Assistant, UCLA), OVC and SEC Coach of the Year, 438 NCAA Division I Wins (Head Coach, Murray State, Alabama, NC State, Cal State Northridge), Leadership and Motivational Coach, Podcaster, Mark Gottfried [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:01
Garrett Boorojian and Mark Gottfried discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.coachmarkgottfried.com/meet-mark"Hi, I’m Mark. Let’s Talk About What It Means to “Get It Done.”For more than three deca…
Garrett Boorojian and Partner at Pinnacle Collective Public Affairs, former Special Assistant to former President Joe Biden and former Chief Speech Writer to former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, former Senior Advisor in the U.S. Senate, Kristin Lynch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:13
Garrett Boorojian and Kristin Lynch discuss relationship building in a team environment.As the former Special Assistant to former President Joe Biden and former Chief Speechwriter to former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Kri…
Garrett Boorojian and Associate Professor of Surgery (Vascular) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Vascular Surgery Fellow at Stanford Health Care, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer at Major Medical Devices, Anahita Dua [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:52
Garrett Boorojian and Anahita Dua discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/20714/anahita-dua"About Anahita Dua, MDDr. Dua is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Massach…