Washington, D.C.—Veteran U.S. diplomat Ambassador Victoria Nuland is joining the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Board of Directors effective immediately. Ambassador Nuland previously served on the NED Board of Directors from 2018 to 2021, before her appointment as Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs at the State Department.
“We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Nuland back to the NED Board,” said NED Chairman Kenneth Wollack. “With a distinguished career across multiple administrations, she brings the experience and expertise that will contribute measurably to NED’s mission and work.”
Ambassador Victoria Nuland served as the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs from 2021 and Acting Deputy Secretary of State from 2023 under the Biden Administration before retiring in early 2024. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs from 2013 until 2017 under President Barack Obama and was the State Department Spokesperson during Secretary Hillary Clinton’s tenure.
Nuland was U.S. ambassador to NATO during President George W. Bush’s second term, 2005-2008. She served as Special Envoy and chief negotiator on the Treaty on Conventional Arms Control in Europe from 2010-2011, and as Deputy National Security Advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney from 2003-2005.
Most recently, Nuland joined the faculty of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) as the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor in the Practice of International Diplomacy. She will also direct SIPA’s International Fellows Program and serve as a member of the Institute of Global Politics. [Read her full bio.]
“As NED partners face increasing threats from autocrats around the world, Ambassador Nuland’s experiences will help the Endowment sharpen its approach to supporting democracy advocates,” said NED President and Chief Executive Officer Damon Wilson. “Her life-long commitment to democracy will be a valuable addition to the NED Board at this consequential moment for our mission.”
About the National Endowment for Democracy
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is an independent, nonprofit, grant-making foundation dedicated to the development and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. With an annual appropriation from Congress, NED funds more than 2,000 grants in over 100 countries. NED’s grants program is augmented by the International Forum for Democratic Studies; the Journal of Democracy; the Reagan-Fascell Fellowships Program; the World Movement for Democracy; and the Center for International Media Assistance.
NED’s approach draws on support from the two leading political parties, business, and labor. NED’s core institutes include: the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and the Solidarity Center.
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