- Programme studied and graduation year: Executive Global Master’s in Management, 2019
- LinkedIn profile
Brandon Thaler is the Senior Finance Director at America Votes, where he leads the voter engagement organisation’s financial strategy and operations. He has more than a decade of experience in strategy, operations, and financial management across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors, including serving as a Presidential Appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration. His professional focus is on helping mission-driven organizations align their strategy and operations to achieve real, lasting impact.
Current job title and description of what this role entails:
In my role as Senior Director of Finance at America Votes, I oversee the organisation’s financial strategy and operations to ensure resources are aligned with its mission to strengthen democracy and expand access to the ballot. I lead a team responsible for managing day-to-day accounting, compliance, and reporting, while also building systems and internal controls that safeguard transparency and accountability. At the same time, I provide financial planning, analysis, and projections that guide executive decision-making and long-term strategy. It’s a position that combines the rigor of financial stewardship with the opportunity to partner across the organisation, helping America Votes and its nationwide coalition of partners maximise their impact in a complex, fast-moving environment.
Tell us about your career journey since graduating from LSE?
Since graduating from LSE, my career has been shaped by opportunities to navigate complex, high-stakes environments where strategy, operations, and finance intersect. Shortly after graduation, I joined the 2020 Democratic National Convention as Chief Financial Officer of the Host Committee. The convention, held every four years, is where the Democratic Party officially nominates its candidates for President and Vice-President, and the Host Committee is responsible for organising and funding the event’s infrastructure, including the stadium, transportation, and security, for more than 100,000 delegates, media, and attendees. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional plans, our team faced uncharted territory and pivoted to deliver the first-ever fully virtual convention, using innovative technology to bring together presenters and audiences from across the country for a multi-day event. Along the way, I developed skills in large-scale financial management, operational planning, and cross-functional team leadership, skills that proved critical in my next roles.
Following the Convention, I joined the Biden-Harris Administration Transition team as an Operations Lead overseeing the organisation’s finances during the largest presidential transition in U.S. History.
I then served as Chief of Staff for the Office of Administration at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for 8,400 employees, a $10 billion procurement portfolio, and 3.5 million square feet of space across 70 offices nationwide. I remained in that role through the end of the Administration before joining the team at America Votes.
What were the most valuable lessons you took away from studying at LSE?
One of the most valuable lessons I took from my time at LSE was the importance of adapting communication to diverse audiences. In a cohort of 50 peers from 33 countries, I quickly realised that even the sharpest analysis only matters if it can be translated into ideas that others can understand, trust, and act upon. That experience underscored a principle that has guided me ever since: leadership is not defined by technical expertise alone, but by the ability to communicate clearly, align stakeholders with different priorities, and move organisations forward around a shared goal. In practice, this means bridging perspectives, creating common ground, and ensuring that good ideas do not get lost in translation, a skill that, in my view, is fundamental to both effective leadership and long-term career success.
If you had one piece of advice you could give your younger self, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to never hesitate in asking for guidance. Early in my career, I often avoided reaching out to colleagues or senior leaders because I worried I was inconveniencing them. Over time, I discovered the opposite to be true: most people are eager to share their experiences and provide mentorship when given the opportunity. What feels like an imposition to you often feels like an investment to them. That realisation reshaped how I approach professional growth, not only by actively seeking out advice, but also by making myself available as a resource to others. In my view, the willingness to ask for help and the commitment to pay it forward are essential practices for building both careers and organisations that thrive.
Share with us your fondest memory of the Department of Management.
I have many wonderful memories from my time in the Department of Management, but one that stands out, particularly given my career in politics, was a dinner and tour at Parliament arranged by the programme. It was more than just a memorable evening; it was a chance to share an experience steeped in history and tradition with a diverse cohort of peers who brought global perspectives to every conversation. That moment captured what made LSE so unique for me: the opportunity to learn in settings that connected academic study to real-world institutions, while building relationships that expanded how I understood leadership, governance, and collaboration across cultures.
If you would like to be our Alum of the Month or if you would like to nominate a Department of Management alumni, please email dom.alumni@lse.ac.uk.