Shirin Bidel-Niyat joined the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in May of 2011. As Assistant Director of Political Action Department, she directs AFSCME’s independent expenditure efforts across the country and at all levels of the ballot. During her time with the union, she has worked on state legislative policy fights, candidate and issue campaigns throughout the country, all focused on building worker strength through increased political activism by union members. Currently, she serves as the Board Chair of For Our Future Action Fund, a national political and advocacy organization that builds lasting local progressive power in key states to win elections and legislation. Prior to joining AFSCME, she served as Deputy Political Director for the League of Conservation Voters, where she managed the organizations’ independent expenditure program to elect pro-environmental candidates to federal office. Previously, Ms. Bidel-Niyat worked as a manager and field director for federal and state candidates in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, New Hampshire and Washington. Outside of her electoral work, she has held issue-focused positions at the Alliance for Climate Protection and We Are America Alliance.

Bidel-Niyat is a graduate of George Washington University and currently resides in Washington, DC.