J. Philippe Abraham

J. Philippe Abraham is secretary-treasurer of New York State United Teachers, overseeing the union’s Member Benefits Department and social justice efforts.

Abraham is the first higher education member to serve as a NYSUT officer. For six years, he was the elected statewide vice president for professionals of United University Professions, representing faculty and staff at the State University of New York. He began his career teaching Spanish and French in middle school, high school and college, then served as an academic adviser and as director of Career Services at SUNY’s University at Albany.

In addition to serving as a union officer on the SUNY Albany campus, Abraham was also one of three elected senators representing the college on SUNY’s Faculty Senate. He is president of the Albany/Capital District Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

Abraham earned a bachelor’s in Spanish Education and a master’s in Spanish American Literature, both from SUNY Albany. He is a graduate of the NYSUT Leadership Institute and the New York State AFL-CIO Cornell Union Leadership Institute.