Former Lotus Circle Advisor

Former Trustee of The Asia Foundation
Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues



Melanne Verveer served on The Asia Foundation’s Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2016, and is actively involved in The Asia Foundation’s group of Lotus Circle Advisors. She is currently the Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security at Georgetown University. Ambassador Verveer served as the first US Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, a position to which she was nominated by President Obama in 2009. President Obama also appointed her to serve as US Representative to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

From 2000-2008, Ambassador Verveer was the Chair and Co-CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership. During the Clinton Administration, she served as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady. She also led the effort to establish the President’s Interagency Council on Women and was instrumental in the adoption of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Ambassador Verveer has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Georgetown University. She also holds several honorary degrees and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the U.S. Secretary of State’s Award for Distinguished Service.