Gene Sperling
Gene Sperling is widely regarded as one of the most influential White House economic advisors, respected across the political spectrum. He is best known as the former Director of the National Economic Council under both Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, making him the only person to hold this position under two US presidents. During his tenure, Sperling played a central role as a key budget negotiator and White House lead on issues including GSE reform, housing policy, patent reform, manufacturing innovation, small business growth, tax reform, college access, long-term unemployment, and the ConnectEd initiative. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Universal Education at both the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations. Today, Sperling serves as a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and leads Sperling Economic Strategies, advising financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and major philanthropies.
Gene Sperling Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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9th Director
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3rd Director
Academic History
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J.D., Law
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B.A., Political Science
Sperling was a key architect of the 1993 Economic Plan during the Clinton administration and a key negotiator in the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement that led to the Children’s Health Initiative Program (CHIP).
He was also the key architect for higher education tax relief and played leadership roles in the creation of the New Markets Tax Credit, Community Development Financial Institutions, Gear-Up, Debt Relief for low-income nations, and anti-sweatshop and anti-child labor initiatives.
Under President Obama, Sperling played a critical role in passage of expanded tax relief for low-income families, the payroll-tax cut, and the Small Business Jobs Act.
He was also heavily involved in the proposed American Jobs Act, the Manufacturing Hubs Initiative, as well as in special initiatives on college opportunity and efforts to help long-term unemployed.
He served as a Senior Advisor to President Biden and the Implementation Coordinator of the American Rescue Plan, and also as a senior economic adviser to Kamala Harris’ election campaign.
MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
Sperling is a columnist and commentator for Bloomberg Business News and a contributing editor for the DLC's Blueprint Magazine.
He serves as Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Council of Foreign Relations, and has been a contributing writer and consultant to the television show The West Wing.
He has appeared on Meet the Press, Face the Nation, This Week, Good Morning America, Nightline, and CNN's Late Edition.
His articles have appeared in The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Inc. magazine, Financial Times, Foreign Policy, and others.