For Immediate Release

Contact: Peter Loge
202-429-3882 – Direct
202-578-9283 – Mobile

Dr. Kristin Lord, acting president of the U.S. Institute of Peace, announced that she will leave USIP on October 3, 2014 to become president and CEO of IREX, a global non-governmental organization that focuses on education, civil society and media development. Dr. Lord previously held the position of executive vice president at USIP, and took over as acting president when former Congressman Jim Marshall left USIP in January of this year. USIP is in the final stages of a search for a new president. Bill Taylor, USIP vice president for Middle East and Africa, will temporarily assume the role of executive vice president at the Institute to provide continuity through the upcoming transition.

“I am extremely proud of the work USIP does to prevent and mitigate violent conflict around the world and I will always remain a vocal advocate of the Institute, its mission, and its people,” said Lord. “I am very grateful to the USIP Board for the opportunity to lead the Institute over the past several months.”

“Kristin Lord has done a wonderful job leading USIP as acting president and leaves behind a real legacy of accomplishment. Our thanks and best wishes will go with her.  She is a proven leader who will make a great contribution to IREX, just as she has to USIP,” said USIP Board Chair Stephen J. Hadley.

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The United States Institute of Peace is a Congressionally-created, independent, nonpartisan institution. Its mission is to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflicts around the world by engaging directly in conflict zones and by providing analysis, education, and resources to those working for peace.