Daniel W. Yohannes, former CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, was sworn in today at the State Department as the United States Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns presided and swore in Ambassador Yohannes.

A philanthropist and businessman from Englewood, Colorado, Yohannes has more than 30 years’ experience in banking and economic development. As CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Yohannes oversaw the independent U.S. foreign aid agency in its fight against global poverty.

The United States Mission to the OECD is headed by the ambassador who leads a team from four different federal agencies – State, USAID, Energy, and Human and Health Services. Yohannes will communicate U.S. views and interests to other OECD members and will represent the United States in the OECD’s governing council. USCIB is the American affiliate of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD.

OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria was a special guest. Shaun Donnelly, vice president for investment and financial services and himself a retired U.S. ambassador, represented USCIB at the ceremony.

Yohannes was nominated as ambassador to the OECD by President Obama in September 2013, and he was confirmed by the Senate in April 2014. Yohannes was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and he speaks fluent Amharic.

Staff contact: Rob Mulligan