AFL-CIO Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

AFL-CIO has 10 executives leading key functions including organizational strategy, financial oversight, labor advocacy, and digital infrastructure.

Committed to advancing the collective power of working people, AFL-CIO coordinates national labor initiatives to secure fair wages, workplace safety, and robust economic protections for diverse union members across the United States.

Leadership Roles at AFL-CIO

  • Chief Financial Officer - Chris Pettigrew
  • Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler - Julie Lind
  • Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President - Marc Goumbri
  • President - David Heindel
  • President - Carlos Gomez
  • President - Ronald Bieber
  • President - Scott Zadow
  • President Emeritus - Donna Dewitt
  • Chief of Staff - Julie Greene
  • Chief Information Officer, Afl - Michael Gillis
  • Chris Pettigrew - Chief Financial Officer

    Chris Pettigrew, the Chief Financial Officer at AFL-CIO, manages the fiscal health and resource allocation of the federation. Overseeing budgetary planning and financial reporting, Pettigrew ensures that the organization maintains the necessary capital to support legislative advocacy and policy development. This role involves monitoring investment strategies and auditing expenditures to maximize the impact of member contributions. By maintaining transparent financial systems, Chris Pettigrew provides the stability required for the federation to mobilize effectively on behalf of working people. The Chief Financial Officer works closely with the board to align fiscal priorities with the long-term goals of the labor movement. Through careful management of assets and liabilities, Pettigrew secures the financial foundation of the organization. This executive function remains critical for sustaining the broad range of services provided to constituent unions, ensuring that the federation continues to advocate for fair wages and retirement security across diverse industries.

    Julie Lind - Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

    Julie Lind, the Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler at AFL-CIO, bridges the gap between national strategy and regional labor activities. Facilitating communication between local councils and the national office, Lind ensures that grassroots concerns inform federal policy development. This role involves coordinating regional initiatives that strengthen collective bargaining and worker protections at the state level. By fostering collaboration among diverse labor bodies, Julie Lind amplifies the impact of the federation across various geographic sectors. The Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler monitors regional trends to identify emerging challenges in the workforce. Through this advisory capacity, Lind provides essential insights that guide the federation in addressing economic issues affecting working families. This leadership function remains vital for maintaining a unified front, ensuring that national advocacy efforts reflect the needs of workers in every region.

    Marc Goumbri - Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President

    Marc Goumbri, the Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President at AFL-CIO, supports the executive leadership in executing strategic initiatives and policy agendas. Managing complex projects, Goumbri ensures that the vision of the president translates into actionable programs for member unions. This role involves coordinating high-level meetings and facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to address critical labor issues. By providing analytical support and operational guidance, Marc Goumbri enables the senior leadership to focus on long-term advocacy goals. The Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President monitors the progress of key campaigns, ensuring alignment with the federation's mission of advancing workplace rights. Through this position, Goumbri maintains the flow of information between the president and the broader organization. This leadership role requires a deep understanding of labor dynamics, allowing for the effective implementation of strategies that protect the interests of working families across the country.

    David Heindel - President

    David Heindel, the President at AFL-CIO, directs the strategic vision and external representation of the federation. Leading the organization's efforts to advance collective bargaining and worker protections, Heindel shapes the national discourse on economic policy and labor rights. This role involves engaging with policymakers and industry leaders to advocate for fair wages and benefits for working families. By fostering unity among diverse national and international unions, David Heindel ensures that the federation maintains a powerful, cohesive voice in the political arena. The President oversees the implementation of democratic processes that empower member unions to influence organizational priorities. Through this leadership position, Heindel drives initiatives that address healthcare access, retirement security, and education policy. This executive function requires a commitment to the core mission of the federation, ensuring that the organization remains a steadfast defender of the rights and dignity of workers across all sectors of the economy.

    Carlos Gomez - President

    Carlos Gomez, the President at AFL-CIO, focuses on expanding the federation's influence within specific industrial sectors to strengthen worker representation. By analyzing market shifts and labor trends, Gomez develops targeted strategies that enhance the bargaining power of member unions. This role involves building coalitions with community organizations and social advocacy groups to broaden the impact of labor initiatives. Carlos Gomez leads efforts to improve workplace safety standards and promote equitable employment practices across diverse industries. Through this leadership position, Gomez ensures that the federation remains responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce. The President coordinates with other senior leaders to align industrial advocacy with the broader economic goals of the organization. By championing the rights of workers in key sectors, Gomez contributes to the overall mission of the federation, securing better outcomes for working families and reinforcing the importance of collective action in the modern economy.

    Ronald Bieber - President

    Ronald Bieber, the President at AFL-CIO, concentrates on legislative advocacy and the development of policies that protect the economic interests of union members. By engaging with government officials and regulatory bodies, Bieber promotes legislation that supports fair wages, benefits, and workplace protections. This role involves mobilizing the membership around critical political issues that impact the labor movement. Ronald Bieber leads the federation's efforts to influence public opinion and secure legislative victories that benefit working families. Through this leadership position, Bieber ensures that the organization's policy agenda remains focused on the most pressing challenges facing the workforce. The President collaborates with other union leaders to create a unified legislative strategy that addresses healthcare, retirement security, and education. By driving these advocacy efforts, Bieber strengthens the federation's role as a central coordinating body, ensuring that the collective voice of labor remains influential in shaping the future of the American economy.

    Scott Zadow - President

    Scott Zadow, the President at AFL-CIO, manages the internal democratic processes and member engagement strategies that define the federation's structure. By facilitating communication and collaboration among constituent unions, Zadow ensures that the organization remains a voluntary, democratic coalition. This role involves overseeing the mechanisms through which member unions exercise their voting rights and influence organizational direction. Scott Zadow leads initiatives that promote solidarity and shared resource utilization across the federation. Through this leadership position, Zadow strengthens the collaborative model that allows the organization to function as a central coordinating body while preserving individual union autonomy. The President monitors the effectiveness of member participation programs, ensuring that the federation remains accountable to the workers it represents. By fostering a culture of democratic engagement, Zadow supports the long-term sustainability of the labor movement, ensuring that the federation continues to serve as a powerful advocate for the interests of working people.

    Donna Dewitt - President Emeritus

    Donna Dewitt, the President Emeritus at AFL-CIO, provides historical perspective and strategic counsel to the current leadership team. Drawing upon extensive experience in labor advocacy, Dewitt offers guidance on long-term organizational goals and the preservation of core federation values. This role involves mentoring emerging leaders and supporting the continuity of the organization's mission. Donna Dewitt contributes to the development of strategic initiatives that address persistent challenges in workplace rights and economic policy. Through this advisory capacity, Dewitt ensures that the federation remains grounded in its foundational principles while adapting to new industrial realities. The President Emeritus participates in high-level discussions regarding the future of the labor movement, providing insights that help shape the federation's approach to complex social and economic issues. By maintaining a connection to the organization's history, Dewitt supports the ongoing efforts of the federation to advance the interests of working families and protect the rights of all workers.

    Julie Greene - Chief of Staff

    Julie Greene, the Chief of Staff at AFL-CIO, directs internal operations and aligns departmental workflows with the broader mission of the federation. Managing the executive office, Greene facilitates communication between leadership teams to ensure consistent execution of labor advocacy goals. This role involves overseeing administrative efficiency and coordinating strategic projects that support member unions. By streamlining organizational processes, Julie Greene enables the federation to respond rapidly to shifting economic policies and workplace challenges. The Chief of Staff maintains high-level oversight of internal initiatives, ensuring that resources remain focused on advancing collective bargaining rights and worker protections. Through rigorous management of daily operations, Greene supports the long-term stability of the organization. This leadership position requires constant collaboration with other senior executives to maintain operational excellence across the entire federation structure, ultimately strengthening the collective voice of working families throughout the nation.

    Michael Gillis - Chief Information Officer, Afl

    Michael Gillis, the Chief Information Officer, Afl at AFL-CIO, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for modern labor advocacy. Overseeing data management and cybersecurity, Gillis ensures that the federation maintains secure and efficient communication channels for its constituent unions. This role involves implementing technological solutions that enhance the organization's ability to mobilize members and disseminate information regarding policy developments. By modernizing internal systems, Michael Gillis supports the federation's capacity to track economic trends and coordinate large-scale advocacy efforts. The Chief Information Officer, Afl manages the digital tools that facilitate democratic participation among member unions, ensuring that voting rights and organizational priorities remain accessible. Through the integration of advanced data analytics, Gillis provides the leadership team with actionable insights into workforce demographics and industry challenges. This technical leadership remains essential for maintaining the federation's competitive edge in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, ultimately protecting the interests of workers.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding AFL-CIO Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads AFL-CIO?
    AFL-CIO is led by Chris Pettigrew (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Julie Lind (Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler) and Marc Goumbri (Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President).
    Who is part of AFL-CIO’s executive team?
    The executive team of AFL-CIO includes leaders such as Chris Pettigrew (Chief Financial Officer), Julie Lind (Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler), Marc Goumbri (Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does AFL-CIO have?
    AFL-CIO has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in AFL-CIO’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of AFL-CIO includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Co-Chair - State Labor Fed and Central Labor Council Advisory Committee To AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Deputy Chief of Staff & To The Senior Advisor & President, President, President.