January 8, 2018

USGLC Welcomes Nominations to International Affairs Agencies and Programs

WASHINGTON – The USGLC President and CEO released the following statement on the recent nominations for key Administration positions:

The USGLC welcomes the nominations of candidates to lead two vital civilian agencies – the Peace Corps and the Millennium Challenge Corporation – both of which are essential to advancing America’s interests.

We are particularly pleased to see the nomination of Jody Olsen – a former volunteer and long-serving leader within the Peace Corps – an outstanding choice to lead this impactful agency that deploys more than 7,000 American volunteers to 65 countries. With her long track record of effective leadership, Jody will be ready to hit the ground running on day one at an agency that is central to projecting American goodwill and influence around the world.

Nominated to head one of the most transformational global development agencies in America’s toolkit, Sean Cairncross will bring a wealth of experience and relationships to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). This leadership will be vital as the MCC continues to provide game-changing programs that lift people out of poverty around the world.

In addition, a former member of the USGLC Board of Directors and the State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Communications and Information Policy, Marie Royce will fill a critical role as the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Her leadership and experience will be essential to helping strengthen “people-to-people” diplomacy and our nation’s exchange programs.

The USGLC congratulates these esteemed nominees and, if confirmed, looks forward to their partnership as we work to advance America’s economic and security interests around the world.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.