Maya Rupert

Author, Podcast Host, Political Strategist & Social Justice Leader

Maya Rupert

Author, Podcast Host, Political Strategist & Social Justice Leader

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Biography

Maya Rupert is an author, a podcast host, a political strategist, and a social justice leader. She has been recognized by national outlets including Ebony Magazine and The Root for her leadership in the Black community. Maya received her B.A. from U.C. Santa Barbara and her J.D. from U.C. Berkeley. She clerked for the Honorable Eric L. Clay of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2020, she served as campaign manager for Julián Castro’s presidential campaign and is only the third Black woman to have managed a major presidential campaign. When Secretary Castro exited the race, she joined Elizabeth Warren’s campaign as a Senior Advisor. In 2021, she managed Maya Wiley’s NYC Mayoral campaign.

Maya contributed a piece to the anthology How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation, released in 2018. Maya has previously been awarded NABJ Salute to Excellence awards for her writing. Maya has also been a contributing writer to a number of outlets where she frequently addresses the intersection of race, gender, culture, and politics. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Teen Vogue, Slate, and Salon.

She is the host of When We Win with Maya Rupert, a limited series podcast with Lemonada Media. The show was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series.

Maya is a nationally respected voice on progressive politics and the future of the Democratic party. She has appeared as a guest on national television and radio including for MSNBC/MS NOW, CNN, NPR, and SiriusXM.

Maya has spent much of her career as a leader in nonprofit organizations and a leading voice in social justice movement politics. She has led on issues including racial justice, reproductive rights and justice, economic justice, LGBTQ rights, and environmental justice. In the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, she was a Senior Advisor to the President at the Center for Reproductive Rights, where she led the external relations and governmental work. In Spring of 2022, she was a Harvard Institute of Politics Resident Fellow, where she led a study group on dismantling the myths that keep many people out of careers in politics.

Currently, Maya is an Executive Vice President at Blue State and is on the Board of Directors of both the National Women’s Law Center and Color of Change. Her book, The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic, was published by Dutton Books in February 2026.

Speech Topics

The Double-Edged Sword of Representation: Navigating Visibility and Authenticity in Politics

Representation matters, but what happens when being seen comes with the pressure to represent an entire community? As more women, people of color, and historically marginalized voices step into positions of influence, they face both unprecedented opportunities and unique challenges. Visibility can open doors and inspire change, but it can also bring heightened scrutiny, unrealistic expectations, and pressure to compromise authenticity. Drawing on her experience leading historic political campaigns and advocating for social justice, Maya Rupert explores the complex relationship between representation, power, and meaningful progress. She examines why having a seat at the table is only the beginning, how systemic barriers continue to shape leadership opportunities, and what it takes to turn symbolic representation into lasting change.

Through compelling stories and candid insights, Maya challenges audiences to rethink what inclusive leadership truly looks like and how individuals and organizations can move beyond surface-level diversity to create meaningful opportunities for all.

Audience Takeaways:

Move Beyond Representation: Understand the difference between symbolic visibility and substantive change, and why meaningful inclusion requires more than simply having diverse voices at the table.
Navigate Visibility and Scrutiny: Explore the unique pressures facing underrepresented leaders and discover strategies for maintaining authenticity while overcoming systemic barriers.
Champion Authentic Leadership: Learn how to create environments where individuals feel empowered to lead confidently without compromising their identities or values.
Turn Awareness into Action: Identify practical ways to support diverse leaders, challenge outdated expectations, and build cultures where representation translates into real influence and opportunity.

Building Coalitions for Justice: Lessons from the Frontlines of Social Change

Lasting change doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when people with different experiences, perspectives, and priorities find common ground and work toward a shared purpose. But in an increasingly divided world, building meaningful coalitions requires more than agreement. It demands trust, collaboration, and a willingness to navigate difficult conversations. With experience spanning national political campaigns, nonprofit leadership, and social justice advocacy, Maya Rupert brings a firsthand perspective on what it takes to unite people around a common cause. Drawing on lessons from the frontlines of political organizing and social change, she explores the power of intersectionality, the challenges of bridging competing priorities, and the strategies that help movements build momentum and sustain meaningful progress.

Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Maya reveals how leaders and organizations can turn differences into strengths, foster stronger partnerships, and inspire collective action. Her presentation offers a powerful roadmap for anyone seeking to bring people together, overcome division, and turn shared values into lasting impact.

Audience Takeaways:

Build Bridges Across Differences: Discover strategies for bringing together individuals and communities with different perspectives, priorities, and lived experiences.
Harness the Power of Intersectionality: Understand how recognizing overlapping identities and shared challenges can strengthen collaboration and create more inclusive movements.
Navigate Conflict and Build Trust: Learn practical approaches to managing disagreements, fostering meaningful dialogue, and maintaining unity without requiring uniformity.
Sustain Momentum for Change: Explore how successful coalitions maintain engagement, adapt to challenges, and translate short-term victories into long-term progress.
Turn Shared Purpose into Collective Action: Gain actionable tools for building partnerships, mobilizing support, and creating meaningful change within organizations and communities.

Leadership in the Age of Authenticity: Redefining Power for a New Generation

In a world where leaders are constantly scrutinized and trust is increasingly difficult to earn, authenticity has become one of the most powerful qualities a leader can possess. Today's audiences, employees, and communities expect more than polished messaging and traditional authority. They want leaders who are transparent, grounded in their values, and willing to show up as their true selves. Political strategist, author, and social justice leader Maya Rupert challenges conventional ideas about power and leadership, revealing why authenticity is not a weakness but a strategic advantage. Drawing on her experience managing high-profile political campaigns, leading advocacy efforts, and navigating spaces where identity and leadership intersect, Maya explores how vulnerability, personal conviction, and honest communication can strengthen trust and inspire meaningful change.

Blending personal insights with lessons from the political arena, Maya offers a fresh perspective on what effective leadership looks like in a rapidly changing world. She challenges audiences to reconsider traditional definitions of success and influence, demonstrating how leaders can build credibility, inspire confidence, and make a lasting impact by staying true to their values.

Audience Takeaways:

Lead with Authenticity and Purpose: Discover why embracing personal values, lived experiences, and individuality can strengthen leadership effectiveness and inspire others.
Build Trust Through Transparency: Learn how vulnerability, honesty, and open communication can create stronger relationships and more engaged teams.
Balance Identity and Expertise: Explore how leaders can leverage their personal stories while demonstrating the knowledge, competence, and vision needed to lead effectively.
Navigate Pressure with Confidence: Gain strategies for staying grounded, making values-driven decisions, and maintaining resilience in high-stakes environments.
Redefine Leadership for the Future: Understand how a new generation of leaders is challenging traditional power structures and creating more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful approaches to leadership.