WASHINGTON, DC - The National Democratic Institute (NDI) announced today that Sandra Pepera, former senior officer at the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), has become its new director for Gender, Women and Democracy and the Madeleine K. Albright Women’s Project.

“Sandra’s diverse background and skills will be invaluable in this role,” said Kenneth Wollack, president of the Institute. “She will greatly enhance NDI’s work in politics to empower women around the world to participate, compete and lead.”

Pepera is a career diplomat and international development professional with more than 15 years of experience. Prior to joining DFID, Pepera spent time in British domestic politics, lectured at the University of Ghana and was a political analyst for Africa at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Her portfolio of skills and experience includes strategy development, political and risk analysis, diplomacy, general management and corporate governance.

“Those of us working on women and democracy know this to be an important moment of opportunity,” Pepera said. “I’m lucky to be able to draw on NDI’s three decades of global experience working to ensure that women become equal and active participants in the decision-making that affects their lives.”

Pepera holds a Master of Arts from the University of St. Andrews and a Master of Science from the London School of Economics. She is a member of the Cambridge Sustainability Leaders Network, the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Global Board Ready Women initiative, and the International Advisory Board of The Round Table: Commonwealth Journal for International Affairs. She holds the Financial Times Diploma for Non-Executive Directors and serves as a trustee for the pension fund of an intergovernmental organization.