David Medina currently serves as the COO and Co-Founder of Results for America. David previously served in Obama Administration as First Lady Michelle Obama’s deputy chief of staff and as the Peace Corps’ public engagement director. Throughout his career, David has also served as the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign’s government relations director, U.S. Senator John Edward’s national political director, the 2004 Democratic National Committee’s policy director, and the U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun’s legislative assistant.

David has served on the University of Chicago’s Alumni Visiting Committee, Human Rights Campaign, Millennium March on Washington, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute national boards of directors. David received his B.A. from the University of Chicago and his M.P.P from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Here is a recent interview with David:

• How did you get involved in public service?

I grew up in Chicago in a close-knit, lower-income, Mexican-American family with parents who believed that education could help my 2 sisters and me achieve the American Dream and who instilled in each of us a commitment to helping those less fortunate than us.

• Looking at the present and into the future, what do you think a public administration “Grand Challenge” is or might be?

Ensuring that local, state, and federal government grant programs prioritize evidence of effectiveness and shift dollars increasingly toward what works.

• Reflecting on your career, is there a highlight, a greatest accomplishment or a funny story you’d like to share?

I'm proud to have worked for the first African-American woman United States Senator and First Lady of the United States who, like me, both grew up on the South Side of Chicago!

• What is the best advice someone gave you?

Pay it forward.

• What inspires you?

Animal rights activists.

• What did/do you want to be when you grow up?

UN Secretary General.

• What was the last book you read?

The Friend by Sigrid Nunez.

• What was your first job?

Floor Runner at the Chicago Board of Trade.

• What is the best part about where you live?

The natural landscape along the Potomac.