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 CNN / MS NOW Legal Analyst, Contributor at Vox Media, former Chief / Assistant U.S. Attorney for the SDNY, former D.A. of Westchester County D.A.'s Office, Adjunct Professor at Fordham University School of Law, Mimi Rocah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
Garrett Boorojian and Mimi Rocah discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.fordham.edu/school-of-law/faculty/directory/adjunct/miriam-e-rocah/"Miriam E. RocahAdjunct Professor of LawMiriam E. Rocah…
Garrett Boorojian and FOX 5 DC Anchor / Reporter, former Washington Commanders Game Day Host, former NBC Sports Washington Host / Anchor, former News Desk Anchor for NBC Olympics, Miss Florida USA 2001, University of Florida graduate, Julie Donaldson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:35
Garrett Boorojian and Julie Donaldson discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.juliedonaldson.com/"ABOUT JULIEJulie has been a pioneering figure in sports broadcasting, breaking gender barriers in…
Garrett Boorojian and NYT Bestselling Author, JFK Jr.'s friend, former The History Channel Scholar–in–Residence, University of Oklahoma Emeritus Professor, former University of Oxford Lecturer, former Yale University Associate Professor, Steve Gillon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:56
https://www.stevenmgillon.com/"STEVEN M. GILLONHistorian | Author | Producer | Professor | Speaker"History is not about memorizing facts. It’s about using facts to build an argument for interpreting the past." - Steven M…
Garrett Boorojian and Fenway Senior Speechwriter, former Speechwriter – Governor & First Lady Walz, former Communications Director & Chief Speechwriter – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, former Director of Speechwriting – Speaker Pelosi, Aaron Bennett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:46
Garrett Boorojian and Aaron Bennett discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://fenwaystrategies.com/team/aaron-bennett/"Aaron BennettSenior SpeechwriterAaron’s parents suspected that he might have a futu…
Garrett Boorojian and CNN Senior Legal Analyst, former Assistant U.S. Attorney – Southern District of New York, former Assistant Attorney General – New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Senior Counsel at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Elie Honig [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:59
Garrett Boorojian and Elie Honig discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B093HZ7WZL/about"Elie HonigAbout the authorElie Honig is CNN's Senior Legal Analyst. He previously…
Garrett Boorojian and DrPH, MA, RDN, 2022 Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year, 2024 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Distinguished Lecture Award winner, Recurring Nutrition Expert / Guest on ABC's "LIVE with Kelly and Mark," Wendy Bazilian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:59
Garrett Boorojian and Wendy Bazilian discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.wendybazilian.com/about"Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RDN is a writer, educator, food enthusiast and award-winning journali…
Garrett Boorojian and Principal of JOEY JACKSON LAW, PLLC, CNN Legal Analyst, honored with the Joey Jackson ICC, Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney's Office, former Adjunct Professor at Monroe College, Joey Jackson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:08
Garrett Boorojian and Joey Jackson discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.joeyjacksonlaw.com/"PREMIER LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR NEW YORKNationally recognized for expertise in criminal law, union m…
Garrett Boorojian and the 31st Chief of Protocol of the U.S., former Executive Vice President & Global Head of Government and Public Affairs at SAP, formerly served in Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden Administrations, Peter Selfridge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:02
Garrett Boorojian and Peter Selfridge discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.usasean.org/https://www.usasean.org/people/peter-selfridge"Peter SelfridgeNominations and Governance Committee ChairPe…
Garrett Boorojian and Chief Legal Analyst at CNN, Emmy Award winner, former Staff Writer at The New Yorker, Contributing Opinion Writer at The New York Times, former Assistant U.S. Attorney (Brooklyn), Best–Selling Book Author, Jeffrey Toobin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:04
In his conversation with Garrett, Jeffrey speaks about:- His mentor Tina Brown, former Editor of The New Yorker, who gave Jeffrey a chance by hiring him in 1993.- Covering Mark Fuhrman's role in the O.J. Simpson trial.-…
Garrett Boorojian and Brig. Gen. USAF (Ret.), former F–15E Combat Pilot, former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University alumnus, John "Dragon" Teichert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
Garrett Boorojian and Brigadier General (Retired) John Teichert discuss relationship building in a team environment.John spoke with me about how Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun” movie inspired him to join the United States Air For…