NDI Names New Director for Democratic Governance

WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Democratic Institute is pleased to announce that Kristen Sample has joined the organization as Director for Democratic Governance. Sample brings to the role more than 20 years of international governance experience, in more than 30 countries, with particular focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. An expert on accountability and anti-corruption, legislative strengthening, and gender, women and politics, Sample has led diverse project teams focused on the impact of governance reform on public service delivery and citizen security.

“I am delighted to welcome Kristen to the NDI team. Kristen’s interdisciplinary approach to responsive and inclusive governance will help NDI and its partners tackle some of the greatest threats to democracy today,” said NDI President Derek Mitchell.

“I feel fortunate to join the leading global organization committed to strengthening the institutions and practice of democratic governance,” said Sample. “I look forward to working with the global NDI community and its partners to strengthen democracies’ capacity to deliver on economic development and political inclusion.”

Sample holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California. She has served as a consultant to several organizational leaders in democratic governance, including UN Women, the UN Democracy Fund, Open Society Foundations, Global Partners Governance, and International IDEA. Sample’s publications have appeared in Foreign Policy, Open Democracy, and the Latin American Policy Journal.