Rafael Espinal is the Executive Director and President of Freelancers Union. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rafael Espinal became New York’s youngest elected official when he joined the State Assembly at age 26. The son of Dominican immigrants who were union members as well as freelancers, Rafael quickly became a leader fighting on behalf of workers, small businesses, artists and low-income communities. In 2013, he was elected to the New York City Council, representing Brooklyn’s diverse 37th District where he was instrumental in overseeing the passage of the Nation's first Freelance Isn't Free Act, providing client payment protections for freelancers in NYC.

As we enter the endemic phase, he is now focused on expanding the rights and protections for freelancers in all 50 states.