“My parents both came to the United States from the Dominican Republic, and they were deeply grateful for the opportunities this country provided. They raised my siblings and me to want to make a difference and give back. They taught us to work hard and aim high, but to also make sure the ladder was down to help others climb up.”

American politician and attorney

Thomas Edward Perez is an American politician and attorney. He served in senior roles in the Obama and Biden administrations, and from 2023 to 2025 he was senior advisor to President Joe Biden and director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Perez earlier served as U.S. secretary of labor from 2013 to 2017, chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2021, and U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights from 2009 to 2013. His public work has centered on labor, civil rights, and political leadership.