Wade Lairsen

As the Interim Chief Executive Officer at The Birthday Party Project, Wade leads a passionate team of staff and volunteers who bring joy and hope to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of birthday parties. With over 15 years of experience in public affairs and corporate social responsibility, Wade has a proven track record of building programs that create positive social impact at the national and local levels.

Wade is driven by the belief that every child deserves to feel special and celebrated, especially on their birthday. That is why he joined The Birthday Party Project in 2023, after serving as the President and COO of Gen Next Foundation, a strategic philanthropy platform that invests in solutions for the next generation. Previously, Wade held leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, The White House, and USAID, where he developed and executed strategic partnerships, community development, and civic engagement initiatives. Wade is also a 2022 Presidential Leadership Scholar, a prestigious program that fosters collaboration and leadership skills among diverse and accomplished professionals.