FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Kathy Gest
202-728-5535
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) announced today that Shari K. Bryan, the Institute’s director for southern and east Africa, has been named vice president for administration, replacing Jean Dunn, who retired after 18 years of service to the Institute.

Filling Ms. Bryan’s position is Susan Page, who has spent the last 15 years working throughout the east, central, and southern Africa region with the U.S. State Department, USAID and the United Nations.

“While Jean Dunn’s leadership will be sorely missed,” said NDI President Kenneth Wollack, “we are fortunate indeed to have such able individuals to take up new positions at the Institute.”

Ms. Bryan, a lawyer by training, has served as senior associate and director of NDI’s democratic development programs in southern and east Africa since 2001. She has traveled to and worked in over 22 countries in Africa.

“Shari has played a key role in conceptualizing and organizing projects on political party finance, governance and HIV/AIDS, increasing the role of legislatures in overseeing extractive industries, and many other issues” Wollack said. “We look forward to her putting her many talents to work on the broad sweep of NDI’s work.”

Ms. Page, a graduate of Harvard Law School, most recently worked for the United Nations Mission in the Sudan, serving as rule of law director. But her involvement with Sudan goes back to 2002, including serving on the mediation team that led to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army. She also has worked for the State Department and USAID in Kenya, Botswana and Rwanda and provided legal services to additional USAID missions to Burundi, Uganda, and 11 USAID missions in Southern Africa.

“Susan’s broad range of political experiences and high level relationships in Africa will greatly benefit NDI’s work and we are very pleased to have her on staff,” Wollack said.

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NDI is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government.

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Released January 28, 2008