Eric Hermelee serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of Spirit of America, ensuring Spirit of America’s message and impact reach as many people as possible. As CMO, Eric oversees all of the organization’s marketing and communication efforts, including brand strategy, supporter engagement, international communications, media, and public relations.

Eric is a seasoned marketing executive with a diverse background in technology, media, and global affairs. He has over 25 years of experience in marketing and communications and has held leadership roles at some of the world’s most respected brands including Microsoft, Xbox, and IBM. He is best known for his latest work at Microsoft and Xbox, where he played a critical role in the development and launch of several successful products and services to millions of people, including a best-selling gaming membership called Xbox Game Pass.

Eric began his academic journey at Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and then pursued a master’s degree in international relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where he focused on the intersection of technology and international affairs.

After completing his education, Eric joined IBM as a product marketing manager developing, marketing, and selling new internet-based software solutions for enterprise customers. He later joined Microsoft, where he spent over 15 years in various leadership positions. He also has championed the company’s Democracy Forward project to protect open and secure democratic processes and election systems, and help build a healthier information ecosystem.

In addition to his corporate career, Eric has been active in the nonprofit sector in his hometown of Seattle, where he has served on the board of Youth and Family Services and is involved with Northwest Harvest addressing hunger and food injustice.