Presenting our Annual Drum Major for Justice Awards to:

Senator-Elect
Gustavo Rivera

Newly elected New York State Senator and Champion of Reform

Gustavo Rivera is the Senator-Elect from the 33rd District of New York State. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Gustavo Rivera has lived and worked in our community for over a decade. Along the way, he has distinguished himself by working for progressive candidates and public officials at the local, state and national level.

Rivera has spent his career in New York working to change the way business is done. For the last seven years, he has dedicated his time and talent to building a Democratic majority in the New York State Senate. He worked for progressive candidates who want to shake up the old-school politics. He helped José M. Serrano in his successful campaign to oust 28-year incumbent Republican. Rivera also worked on both of Andrea Stewart Cousins’ campaigns, securing a win for her in 2006, and going on to serve as her Chief of Staff.

Tapping into Rivera's record of success, SEIU recruited him to manage its field operations on behalf of Barack Obama in several crucial primary states. Rivera ultimately traveled to Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas and Puerto Rico – on behalf of Senator Obama. After wrapping up the nomination, Senator Obama selected Rivera to serve as his Constituency Director in the crucial swing state of Florida. Rivera worked on turning out a huge Hispanic victory there for our President.

Rivera also has an extensive background as an educator. After graduating from the University of Puerto Rico, Rivera came to New York, where he studied political science at CUNY and soon began his career in public service. He was awarded the prestigious CUNY Graduate Teaching Fellowship in the department of political science at CUNY's Hunter College, where he taught courses in American and comparative politics until 2002. In 2005, Rivera joined the political science faculty at Pace University where he continues to teach courses in state and local government. For the last ten years, Rivera has served as a faculty member and mentor for “Somos el Futuro,” the annual Model State Senate program sponsored by CUNY, SUNY, the NY State Assembly, and the Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force.

Young Elected Officials Network

A New Generation of Leaders on the Front Lines of Change

The mission of the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network is to unite and support progressive elected leaders who share a passion for building communities that reflect values of freedom, fairness and opportunity.

The YEO Network supports elected leaders ages 35 and under, as they define issues, develop solutions, and respond to the needs of their communities. By exchanging ideas, developing leadership skills and connecting with policy development organizations, YEO Network members will be empowered to transform their political vision into progressive action.

Through these means, the YEO Network will connect the progressive agenda at community levels across the country, ultimately producing an enduring pipeline of well-prepared national and world class leaders.

Resource Generation

Supporting Young People, Supporting Change

Resource Generation works with young people with financial wealth who are supporting and challenging each other to effect progressive social change through the creative, responsible and strategic use of financial and other resources.

Our purpose is to promote innovative ways for young people with wealth to align their personal values and political vision with their financial resources. We strive to strengthen cross-class alliances with people and organizations working for social and economic justice. Currently, Resource Generation works with over 750 young people with wealth across the country.