Riley Kilburg

Executive Director, Center Forward

Riley Kilburg is a seasoned nonprofit executive and political professional with more than a decade of experience managing teams in campaigns, nonprofits, the private sector, and stakeholder organizations. As the Executive Director of Center Forward, Riley’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission of bringing people together to drive bipartisan, pragmatic solutions to some of the most challenging policy debates in D.C.

In his nearly seven years with Center Forward, Riley has transformed the organization’s work, leading to continued success and growth. Riley leverages his relationships in Congress and the Biden Administration to drive the organization’s success in working with business and advocacy groups to build coalitions and leverage relationships as a way to deliver bipartisan policy solutions.

Riley’s expertise in campaigns and elections is extensive. He played a pivotal role in the 2020 election cycle serving as Communications Director and Senior Adviser for Rita Hart’s race in Iowa’s Second Congressional District — the closest race in the country. In 2015 and 2016, he served on the field, delegate, and political teams for Hillary Clinton’s primary and general election campaigns, ending the cycle as the Deputy Political Director in the battleground state of Iowa. Before the Clinton campaign, Riley worked on President Obama’s reelection campaign and was involved in a number of electoral campaigns and ballot initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels.

Riley is a member of the board of Q Street, the professional association of LGBTQ+ lobbyists and public policy advocates.

Riley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Spanish, and International Studies, graduating cum laude from Loras College in 2015. Born and raised in Iowa, Riley now resides in Washington, D.C.