Robert Traynham serves on BPC Action’s Board of Directors.
Traynham is a respected political veteran and communications expert, who, for nearly two decades, has designed and executed impactful programs for elected leaders, political organizations, nonprofits, and major corporations.
Throughout his career, Traynham has been a trusted counselor to political and corporate leaders, including several congressional and presidential campaigns, and is respected by peers on both sides of the aisle as a savvy and effective strategist, spokesperson, and crisis manager. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives for American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). Previously, Traynham was Head of Public Affairs/Global Communications at Meta, Head of Public Policy Communications at Facebook, and Vice President of Communications for the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC).
Traynham served as Washington Bureau Chief for the Comcast Network, where he originated the news and public affairs programming. During his eight-year tenure, Traynham advanced Comcast’s mission in public affairs programming and served as host for Comcast Newsmakers and the Emmy®-nominated, Roll Call TV with Robert Traynham.
Prior to his positions in media, Traynham was Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for the Senate Republican Conference. During this time, Traynham was the most senior African-American Republican staff member of Congress, championed the launch of the HBCU Summit, and was awarded by the Thurgood Marshall Foundation. Before his service in Senate leadership, Traynham spent several years as a senior aide and press secretary for a U.S. Senator. Well-regarded by members and staff alike, Traynham served as President of the U.S. Senate Press Secretaries Association and was frequently ranked among the most influential staff members in Congress.
Traynham began his career in public service as a White House intern. Drawing on his unique experiences and access, Traynham has been a frequent political analyst and commentator to cable TV, radio, and print media outlets—including BBC, CNN, HBO, NPR, MSNBC, XM Satellite Radio, and the Philadelphia Tribune. A native of suburban Philadelphia, Traynham holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Cheyney University, a master’s degree in political communications from George Mason University, and is a doctoral candidate in history at the University of Aberdeen. Traynham was awarded Distinguished Alumni of the Year by George Mason University and honored as an Alumnus of Distinction by Cheyney University. Traynham is a current adjunct professor and former Assistant Dean at Georgetown University. He is also appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania as a member of the Council of Trustees of Cheyney University, the nation’s oldest historically black college.