Contact: Allison Sturma (asturma@usip.org)
202-429-4725

The Board of Directors of the U.S. Institute of Peace today elected Stephen J. Hadley, President George W. Bush's national security advisor, as their new chairman, USIP announced today.

"The United States Institute of Peace exemplifies America's commitment to building a peaceful world," Hadley said. "USIP's staff act daily to uphold that commitment.  They work hard to resolve conflict on the ground in some of the most dangerous corners of the globe, convene expert panels in Washington, advise policymakers at all levels, and help to educate the next generation of peacebuilders."

Hadley served on USIP's board from 1999 to 2001, when he left to join the Bush administration, first as Deputy National Security Advisor and then as National Security Advisor.  He returned to the Institute as a Senior Advisor in 2009, helping to lead high-level working groups on the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He also co-chaired the Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel with former Defense Secretary William Perry, which USIP facilitated.  The U.S. Senate confirmed Hadley to a second term on the USIP Board last August.

USIP is a congressionally established, independent, nonpartisan institution charged with increasing the nation's capacity to manage international conflict without violence. The Institute, which was established by Congress in 1984, is governed by a 15-member Board.   By law, members include the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the President of the National Defense University along with 12 others appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

"Steve Hadley's commitment to our mission and depth of experience, combined with the broad respect he has among policymakers not just in the United States but also globally makes him the ideal leader of the Board of this important institution," said outgoing Chairman J. Robinson West.

"USIP is privileged to have a Board Chair like Steve Hadley – a person who is respected across the partisan divide and around the globe, and someone who is deeply knowledgeable about the issues on which we work," said Kristin Lord, the Institute's Acting President. "Steve is already deeply involved in the life of the Institute, and we all look forward to his continued engagement in his new role."

Mr. Hadley is a principal at RiceHadleyGates LLC, an international strategic consulting firm.  He becomes the fifth Chairman of the Board.

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The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict through nonviolent means. USIP works to save lives, increase the government's ability to deal with conflicts before they escalate, reduce government costs, and enhance national security. USIP is headquartered in Washington, DC. To learn more, visit www.usip.org.