Kiff Gallagher

When Christopher C. Gallagher Jr. was born, his sister called him "Kiffifer." The name stuck, in various forms, until his mid-teens. Growing up playing piano and writing songs by "ear and heart," Kiff's love for music remained a muse while he cultivated a career focused on civic engagement and systemic change. At 21, Gallagher cut his policy and public affairs teeth in Senator Joe Biden's press office. In 1991, he helped launch the first Clinton presidential campaign and later served on the White House legislative team that crafted AmeriCorps. At the Corporation for National Service, Gallagher, known then professionally as Chris, ran a $18MM domestic program portfolio in education, health, public safety and the environment. He also created and produced a local hip-hop, acid jazz project called Funnybone. After leaving Washington, Gallagher joined Odwalla, Inc. where he was lead spokesman and senior advisor for brand strategy and corporate responsibility. Later appointed President of Social Venture Network, a national organization for CEO’s and investors, Gallagher became an early leader and public voice in the movements for social entrepreneurship and sustainable business. In 2002 however, Kiff returned to his lifelong passion for music. Founding PeaceLabs Music, Inc., with the slogan Music Saves Lives™, Gallagher began promoting music as a civic and social strategy. He also wrote and produced two critically praised pop-rock albums, toured nationally, and received radio and TV placement for his songs. In 2005, Kiff was awarded a grant from the Fleishhacker Foundation to continue recording and developing his ideas, including his vision for a "musical Peace Corps." Gallagher has consulted internationally for the State Department and recently traveled to Ethiopia with CARE and the Gates Foundation. Kiff is an active equity investor, 2008 Aspen Institute "Ideas Fellow" and an honors graduate in Letters from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.