Gabriel WC Otis

Gabriel WC Otis, Director of Development & External Relations

Gabriel Otis serves as the Director of Development and External Relations at the Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF). Gabriel joined SPEF after working as a Senior Consultant, where he advised the federal government on stakeholder engagement and broader public-private partnerships strategies.

Prior to SPEF, Gabriel held positions at the National Security Institute, a non-profit in Washington, D.C., and with the New Zealand government in Wellington, New Zealand. As a Desk Officer at New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence he focused on European, South American, and Canadian affairs. In this role, Gabriel excelled in building strong relationships, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and collaborating on strategic initiatives. He also worked at the NZ Department of Internal Affairs.

Gabriel’s experience in U.S. domestic policy began as a Legislative Analyst in the Hawaii House of Representatives, where he concentrated on human services, healthcare, and addressing homelessness. His career started as a Political & Economic Affairs Intern at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.

Originally from Oceanside, California, Gabriel spent much of his childhood in Napier, New Zealand and is a proud product of public education. He earned a B.A. in International Relations & Political Science from Victoria University of Wellington and is currently pursuing an M.A. at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University.