Al From

Al From is one of America’s premier strategists and policy entrepreneurs. He is the author of the book, The New Democrats and the Return to Power. The documentary film, Crashing the Party, is based on his book.

In March 1985, From founded the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), the organization that played a central role in the resurgence of the modern Democratic Party. He led the DLC from its inception until April 2009.

From played a prominent role in the 1992 election of President Bill Clinton – and served as Domestic Policy Advisor during the Clinton transition. In the late 1990s, From participated with President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world leaders in an international dialogue – the Third Way talks – on modernizing of progressive politics around the globe.

Before founding the DLC, From was executive director of the House Democratic Caucus, served in President Jimmy Carter’s White House, as staff director of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations, as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, and as an inspector in President Johnson’s War on Poverty.

He serves on the Board of Advisers of the Medill School at Northwestern University and the Board of Advisors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Chamber Foundation. He is a former chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, From earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, was editor of the Daily Northwestern, and was named a charter member of the Hall of Achievement of the Medill School of Journalism. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, Ginger. He has two daughters and three granddaughters.