Jonathan Lovitz

As senior adviser and director of public affairs at the U.S. Economic Development Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce, Jonathan Lovitz says he has the “best job in the federal government.”

“I spend [my days] spreading the good news about great programs that help Americans live better,” says Lovitz. “Every day I get to help the Biden-Harris administration invest in America through our programs that create new jobs, new businesses, and new opportunities for every community to grow bigger and stronger.”

The significance of serving in the Biden-Harris administration is not lost on this gay government worker. “Getting to serve my country as an out and proud gay man means so much to me,” he says. “This is the most pro-LGBTQ and pro-equality administration ever; but it hasn’t always been like this. Every single day we’re showing young people that being out and being in public service are not just possible but celebrated.”

Before Lovitz joined the administration, he spent almost a decade at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, where he led the charge to write and pass more than 25 bipartisan state and local laws as well as author multiple federal memorandums of understanding, opening up billions of dollars in contracts and economic development to small business owners, including minorities, veterans, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ-owned entrepreneurs.

In 2022 he also founded Lovitz Strategies, an organization focused on public policy; diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; and communications strategies for corporations and nongovernmental organizations.

“I hope this is just the beginning of a lifetime of service,” says Lovitz. “I try every day to live up to my colleague, friend, hero, and fellow Out100 member Karine Jean-Pierre’s belief that our identities are our superpowers.”

“No one will work harder for the change you want to see than you will, so get involved,” says Lovitz. “Service changed my life.” @jdlovitz