Announcement

Ambassador David J. Lane Named Chairman of Board of Directors of the Stimson Center

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The Stimson Center’s Board of Directors announced today that Ambassador David J. Lane will become the Center’s next Chairman. He will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors on January 1, 2017. Ambassador Lane is also the President of The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands. Prior to that appointment, Lane served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies in Rome.  

“David has spent his career working to break down the artificial stovepipes that inhibit smart policy, sustainable peace, and equitable development,” said Stimson President & CEO Brian Finlay. “Whether promoting innovation in global health, combatting the scourge of poverty, or addressing food insecurity, David’s instincts are to bring uncommon constituencies together irrespective of partisan politics, to solve big problems and to help those most in need. But beyond all of that, David is the coolest man in Washington, D.C. I could not be more pleased with the Board’s selection of Ambassador Lane to lead Stimson through this exciting period of innovation, growth, and development of the Center.”

Ambassador Lane has more than twenty years of experience working in leadership positions in U.S. government, civil society, and the philanthropic community. Ambassador Lane served in the Obama administration as Assistant to the President and Counselor to the Chief of Staff in the White House, and held key appointments — including Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Commerce and Executive Director of the National Economic Council — in the William Jefferson Clinton administration. He served as President and CEO of the ONE Campaign, a global advocacy organization focused on extreme poverty, development, and reform. He also served as Director of Foundation Advocacy and the East Coast Office of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, overseeing the organization’s public policy work on a wide range of matters, including global development and global health.   

“The breadth and quality of Stimson’s work around the globe is remarkable,” said Ambassador David J. Lane. “From the refugee crisis to terrorism, the world is beset by challenges that require new ideas to address them. Stimson continues to stand apart through extraordinary research, and by bringing together diverse views and expertise to achieve lasting change. The Center’s growth is only matched by Brian’s vision to redefine the impact that a nonpartisan research center can achieve. It’s an honor to join this tremendously talented team.” 

The Stimson Center is a nonpartisan policy research center working to solve the world’s greatest threats to security and prosperity. The Center has been repeatedly ranked among the top think tanks globally for its innovative ideas and quality of research. Stimson was credited by Foreign Policy as having the most women in policy leadership positions of any leading think tank. The MacArthur Foundation recognized Stimson with its “institutional genius” Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

“David has an exemplary record of service in government, civil society, and the philanthropic community,” said outgoing Stimson Board Chairman Ambassador Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr. “He knows how to bring people together both in the U.S. and the international arena to address the world’s most vexing challenges. His leadership will continue to catalyze the Center’s already extensive global impact. It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman and I am excited to pass the torch to such an extraordinary successor.” 

Contact: Jim Baird; (202) 478.3413; [email protected]

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