Richard Tafel

Founder, Log Cabin Republicans and Public Squared

Rich Tafel is founder of The Public Squared, a public policy training program for nonprofits and social entrepreneurs.

For the last decade, Tafel has provided strategic policy advice to nonprofits on a variety of causes, including AIDS programs for Africa, civil rights programs Latin America, and education and health care reform in the United States. He is a guest lecturer in Urban Health and Advocacy at Johns Hopkins University.

Prior to his international consulting, Tafel founded the Log Cabin Republicans in 1993. During his tenure, the Log Cabin Republicans went from an unknown entity to a well-known brand in American political life. At the height of the culture wars, he debated the likes of the Reverend Jerry Fallwell on Larry King Live. He has appeared on most major political TV programs and fought for appropriate AIDS funding and equality for gays and lesbians. He testified before Congress on the need to support the Ryan White Care Act. In 1999, he authored Party Crasher: A Gay Republican Challenges Politics as Usual. Tafel has also been appointed by Governor Weld (R-MA) to manage the adolescent health programs of Massachusetts.

Tafel's work in the public policy arena for social justice causes is inspired by his faith. After graduating from Harvard Divinity School he served at the University Chapel. He is an ordained minister in the Swedenborgian Church. He is a certified coach through Franklin Covey and certified through the International Coaching Association. He's an alumni of the Prince of Wales, Business and Sustainability Program, Cambridge College.

Neuropsych

America’s ‘Great Wealth Transfer’: How to pass on values and purpose

It’s estimated that $68 trillion will pass down from Boomers to millennials. Here’s how ultra-rich families can do the most amount of good with what they inherit.

The Future

9 elements of a strong social venture pitch

Learn how to present your idea to impact investors.

The Present

Should you be for-profit or nonprofit? Why not both?

Cutting edge social innovators should consider hybrid models

Technology & Innovation

Mark Zuckerberg sets an example for entrepreneurs, but is it a good one?

Mark Zuckerberg has infamously downplayed Facebook’s responsibilities as a business in the content creation space. Instead, he defends it as a technology platform.

Capitalism is Going to Have to Recreate Itself

We’re in a period now where capitalism is going to have to recreate itself because that selfishness works to an extent but it does leave people behind.

All Videos

Richard Tafel: How to Speak Like a Republican

Does President Obama need to learn to speak Republican? He probably will if he wants to be successful in a second term (if elected). Furthermore, you can become a better […]

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Richard Tafel