Washington, DC – Foreign Policy for America announced today the election of Lionel C. Johnson as incoming Chair of its Board of Directors. Mr. Johnson will serve as the second Board Chair of FP4A, following an exemplary term of service from outgoing Chair Simon Clark. Mr. Johnson has served on the FP4A Board of Directors since 2018. He previously served as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Johnson is President of the Pacific Pension & Investment Institute, a position he has held since July 2014.
For more than thirty years, Mr. Johnson has held leadership positions in economic development, international business, and public policy. After graduating from Rutgers University in 1982, Mr. Johnson was a member of the U.S. Foreign Service until 1990, serving as a political officer in Kenya, executive secretariat staff officer, assistant to the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, vice consul in Haiti, and special assistant to Secretary of State George Shultz and Secretary of State James Baker III. From 1990 to 1993, he worked as a senior program officer at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. From 1996 to 2007, Mr. Johnson was vice president and director of International Government Affairs at Citigroup. Mr. Johnson also served as Vice President for Turkey, Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to his role at Foreign Policy for America, Mr. Johnson is a member of the Board of Trustees at the RAND Corporation, and on the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), the Truman National Security Project, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
“Lionel brings an extraordinary breadth of experience from his work across the foreign affairs community,” said Andrews Albertson, FP4A Executive Director. “As we take our next steps forward as an organization, his leadership will be invaluable. I am excited to partner with him.”
“I look forward to carrying on Simon Clark’s important work in support of Foreign Policy for America’s mission,” said Mr. Johnson. “Last month’s elections underscore both the opportunities as well as the challenges of rebuilding American credibility and engagement on the global stage. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration, as well as the new Congress, to advance a range of critical national interests and priorities.”
Johnson’s chairmanship is effective immediately.
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