Rufus Gifford delivers powerful keynotes on leadership, diplomacy, and public engagement—ideal for organizations driving change, collaboration, and international impact.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
A warm and inspiring personality with an incredible story.
Morten Brage
Business Lolland-Falster
Now you have the chance to experience the most popular American ambassador Denmark has ever had. Rufus Gifford, together with his husband Stephen, won the hearts of the Danish people during his time as ambassador to Denmark. In his talk, Rufus shares stories about his encounter with Denmark and the political cooperation with the United States.
Rufus Gifford served as the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark from August 2013 to January 2017. The award-winning documentary series “I Am the Ambassador” was acquired by Netflix and iTunes and is currently airing on television in over ten countries. CNN called him “anti-Trump,” the Wall Street Journal considers him a “viral sensation,” and The Atlantic described him as a “rockstar.” In January 2017, Rufus' time in Denmark culminated when he was honored as a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by Queen Margrethe.
As ambassador, Rufus' personal mission was to transform a historically strong relationship to meet future challenges by engaging Danes—especially the younger generation—on bilateral and global issues. Determined to modernize diplomacy and build trustworthy institutions, Rufus pursued a public diplomacy strategy never seen before, allowing cameras to document his life and work. His biography, “The Ambassador – The Story of an American Dream,” was published in 2015.
After graduating from Brown University in 1996, Rufus left his home state of Massachusetts to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. In 2004, however, he entered the political scene through an internship with John Kerry’s presidential campaign. This became the springboard for an impressive political career, including founding his own consulting firm and later serving as a Senior Staff member and Finance Director on Barack Obama’s presidential re-election campaign.
Book a talk with Rufus Gifford and experience the modern revolution of diplomacy from a man the media called “anti-Trump” and “a rockstar.”
5 of 5
A warm and inspiring personality with an incredible story.
Morten Brage Business Lolland-Falster
5 of 5
Rufus was a pleasure to listen to—his presentation received high praise. He was also incredibly approachable throughout the planning process. Very easy to work with and down to earth.
Line Mathiasen JCI
In this personal and entertaining keynote, Rufus Gifford shares reflections from his final months as U.S. Ambassador, his honest thoughts and feelings about the recent presidential election, and not least, America’s current role under President Donald Trump. Rufus also talks about his experiences in Denmark and his encounters with the Danish people—not only as an ambassador but also on a personal level. These experiences have led to many fascinating observations. Finally, Rufus will also reveal and share a bit about his future plans.
The keynote includes an open Q&A session, where Rufus, in his usual charming manner, will answer as many audience questions as possible.
In this keynote, Rufus Gifford offers his perspective on some of the key issues shaping American politics today. Topics may include the state of the U.S. under Donald Trump’s presidency, the impact Trump has had on the American business climate, and what his leadership means for countries like Denmark (or Norway or Germany, for example). Rufus also discusses the most pressing challenges now facing the American left and the Democratic Party. Additionally, he can speak on topics such as NATO, trade, human rights, and environmental policy.
During his time as U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford and his team implemented a groundbreaking and previously unseen form of public diplomacy in American foreign policy. In this engaging keynote, Rufus shares insights on modern communication and how traditional institutions—such as governments and businesses—can use contemporary tools to better engage with real people. This includes social media, where Rufus increased the embassy’s reach by a factor of ten during his tenure.
During his time as Ambassador, Rufus Gifford observed how many—especially within the business world—were interested in the developments in the U.S., particularly regarding immigration and the challenges of integration in Denmark. This keynote offers a unique insight into the popular politician’s perspective on these issues. Rufus also speaks about LGBTQ+ rights and the ongoing fight for equality. A thought-provoking talk covering topics related to minorities and diversity in a global context.
