Gabe Seidman

Gabe Seidman is a two-time state debate champion, nationally ranked competitive coach, and political researcher holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Carleton College. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Civic Debate Academy (CDA).

As a coach, he has built and led teams to over 15 Tournament of Champions bids, out-rounds at premier national tournaments including Harvard and Stanford, and back-to-back Illinois State Debate Championships.

As a competitor, Gabe represented William Fremd High School and competed independently, winning the Illinois state championship twice, amassing 8 career Tournament of Champions bids, and reaching the Octafinals (top 16 nationally) at the Tournament of Champions, the most prestigious tournament in high school debate. He carried that success into college, winning the Minnesota State Debate Tournament and qualifying for the national tournament.

Beyond the debate circuit, Gabe has served as a researcher on 44 political campaigns and prepares candidates for live debates, applying the same analytical and rhetorical discipline he has built as a competitor and coach. He currently serves as a program consultant for an organization based in Washington, DC.