Leadership

In Washington, DC, IFES looks to a team of dedicated professionals who have spent decades working across non-governmental organizations; election-assistance and democracy support groups; and the private sector. Our executive team has combines expertise in all areas of management.

IFES’ leadership in the field gathers professionals with firsthand experience administering elections in every region of the world. Our chiefs of party and country directors have worked across the public and private sector; they have authored texts on political finance, election technology and election management; and have been a part of such historic moments as South Sudan’s independence and the Arab Spring.

IFES is fortunate to have a global, bi-partisan Board of Directors. Our board includes leaders in business; government and civil society; former and sitting U.S. Senators and Representatives; and first time African-American elected state officials. There are former U.S. and Swiss Ambassadors, presidential candidates and a former chief of state from six countries. Many members were involved with Nelson Mandela's rise to power and some have been engaged in every U.S. presidential campaign on both sides since Kennedy-Nixon.