Optimism as the Vehicle for Change

Dr. Paul Zeitz explores solutions to our greatest challenges, from our inner selves to the world around us.

In his forthcoming book, Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist, Zeitz shares an indispensable roadmap for personal and global liberation, with a clear, step-by-step guide—a timely remedy and cure of anxiety, hopelessness, and the potentially the super crises facing our world.

Through the book and the Revolutionary Optimism Podcast, Zeitz inspires others to ignite the sparks within and our collective flame to unify action for healing and transformation. His debut memoir published in 2018, “Waging Justice: A Doctor’s Journey To Speak Truth and Be Bold,” offers profound personal perspectives on how one’s deep individual healing is intricately connected with the repair of our broken world.

Zeitz has a breadth of experience spanning diverse sectors including climate transformation, racial and gender equity, authentic democracy, sustainable development, child welfare and global health in the U.S. and globally. Currently, he serves as a co-convenor of the U.S. National Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Movement, on the Steering Committee of the March for Equity, on the Board of Directors of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and serves on the Survivor’s Council of the Heat Initiative which is dedicated to eradicating childhood sexual violence.

As a movement-builder during 2000-23 he co-founded the Brave Movement, Keep Kids Safe, Global Action for Children and the Global AIDS Alliance. During 2015-18, Zeitz worked as the Director, Data Revolution for Sustainable Development, in the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), U.S. Department of State, under both the Obama and Trump administrations.

During 1994- 2000, Zeitz served in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, D.C. and then in Zambia. During 1992-94, he served in the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

Zeitz was ordained as a Shir Hashirim Rabbi in 2023. He has been certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine since 1993. Married for over 32 years, Paul and his wife, Mindi, are the proud parents and grandparents of 5 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 2 grandchildren.