Inter-American Dialogue Announces New President

BOARD VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO APPOINT REBECCA BILL CHAVEZ ON CUSP OF 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2022
Contact: Inter-American Dialogue
press@thedialogue.org 

Washington, DC – The Inter-American Dialogue is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Bill Chavez as President of the Inter-American Dialogue.

“Rebecca’s deep knowledge and understanding of the Americas, her extensive and impressive leadership experience, and her commitment to the core values and practices of the Dialogue make her an excellent choice to continue to advance the role of the Dialogue in the 21st century,” said Dialogue Co-Chair Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. “The Dialogue is in a unique position to play a pivotal role to harness hemispheric collaboration at a time when it is sorely needed,” he added. 

BACKGROUND: Chavez is a Latin America expert with an accomplished career in both government and academia. She previously served as a senior foreign policy and national security official in the Obama-Biden administration and as an academic focused on Latin America, democratization, and the rule of law. Chavez is eager to use her credentials and relationships on this 40 year anniversary to energize the Boards vision to expand the Dialogue’s presence throughout the Hemisphere.

Former President of Costa Rica and Dialogue Co-Chair Laura Chinchilla remarked that, “Rebecca brings a refreshing vision to the Dialogue. As we celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary, we are thrilled to see what the next chapter holds for the Dialogue and its work.”

Chavez will replace current president Michael Shifter, who will conclude his 28-year tenure at the Dialogue, having served the last 12 as president. 

The Inter-American Dialogue engages its network of global leaders to foster democratic governance, prosperity, and social equity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, we shape policy debate, generate ideas, devise solutions, and enhance collaboration within the Western Hemisphere.

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