Michael Signer

Background

About Michael Signer

I am an energetic and versatile legal advisor, policy strategist, leader, and collaborative executive leveraging a diverse and high-performing career across the fields of law, business, civil service, and academia to build and execute policies, launch initiatives, and develop solutions that deliver growth, resolve conflict, drive consensus, and boost engagement. For over fifteen years, I have guided public companies, privately held companies, non-profit organizations, and other institutions navigate complex, high-stakes challenges and opportunities with legal and policy dimensions. Most recently serving as the North American Policy Director for Airbnb, I oversaw a team of 50 professionals in a public company's largest market; developed and executed an innovative federal strategy that unblocked a billion-dollar national market; and launched our pathbreaking Housing Council. As the Mayor of Charlottesville, I formulated and delivered a legal response to extremist militias that set the standard around the country while strengthening the city's economy. I held senior staff roles on the John Edwards, Wesley Clark, and John Kerry presidential campaigns, was a member of two advisory commissions for the Biden/Harris campaign, raising $150K, and chaired the homeland security transition commission for Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe. I have written three critically-acclaimed books as well as essays in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Time, and I have been honored with awards from the ADL and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. I have a JD from UVA, a PhD in political science from Berkeley, and a Bachelor’s from Princeton. These accolades and accomplishments have helped me establish a reputation for innovative, forward-thinking leadership. I can bring success to any client, institution, or enterprise that needs strategic prowess, vision, and leadership.