Reta Jo Lewis is the President and Chair of the Board of Directors of EXIM (Export-Import Bank of the United States).
Vice President Kamala Harris administered her swearing-in ceremony on February 16, 2022. Ms. Lewis brings more than 25 years of senior executive experience in international affairs, law, public policy, business, regulatory affairs, and subnational diplomacy.
Most recently, Ms. Lewis served as a Senior Fellow and Director of Congressional Affairs at the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). During her tenure at GMF, she led initiatives, programs, and bipartisan exchanges for members of the U.S. Congress and their European counterparts, focusing on leadership development and subnational diplomacy.
Previously, Ms. Lewis held the distinction of being the first-ever Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of State under Secretary Hillary Clinton during the Obama-Biden Administration.
In this role, she spearheaded international efforts to cultivate and bolster strategic relationships between the federal government, state and local leaders, and their international counterparts. Her contributions earned her the prestigious Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award in 2013.
Prior to her diplomatic service, Ms. Lewis made history as the first Black woman to serve as Vice President and Counselor to the President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, she led initiatives to forge strategic alliances, particularly among small businesses, women- and minority-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and executives.
Ms. Lewis is recognized as a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has previously served on the Board of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security.
She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law, an M.S.A.J. from American University, and a B.A. from the University of Georgia. A native of Statesboro, Georgia, Ms. Lewis brings a wealth of diverse experience and leadership to her role at EXIM, poised to guide the institution in promoting U.S. exports and economic competitiveness globally.
Congratulations!!
