Eureka Gilkey

Eureka Gilkey serves as Executive Director of PRH, a unique experiment in activating the intersections between art, historic preservation, affordable and innovative housing, community relations and development, neighborhood revitalization, and human empowerment.

Gilkey’s tenure began in 2015 and her work has advanced the realization of PRH’s strategic planning goals and organizational development in significant ways. Under Gilkey’s leadership, board membership has increased by 50%, the number of individual donors has increased by 25%, and the amount of funding allocated for general operating support has increased over $300,000 from the previous fiscal year.

Prior to joining PRH, Gilkey spent over fifteen years in Washington, D.C. developing and successfully implementing outreach and communications plans to key stakeholders and maintaining strategic partnerships among diverse constituencies. Gilkey’s professional experience includes serving as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the 57th Presidential Inaugural, where she oversaw outreach to the U.S. Supreme Court, Members of Congress, Members of the Cabinet, Governors, Mayors and other state and local elected officials.

In addition, Gilkey served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. In that role, she worked with Obama for America 2012 and the Democratic National Committee by providing strategic advice and counsel which led to the successful re-election of President Barack Obama. In 2009, President Obama appointed Gilkey as the White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where she oversaw recruitment, hiring and onboarding of the agency's Presidential Appointees including those requiring confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Gilkey served in a variety of senior leadership positions for Obama for America 2008, She has also served as National Training Director for EMILY's List; Deputy Political Director of NARAL; and worked for a number of other progressive organizations including the AFL-CIO. Gilkey is a graduate of Howard University and currently resides in Historic Third Ward in Houston, TX.