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 J. Brian Atwood became dean of the Humphrey Institute on October 1, 2002.
Atwood came to the University from the Boston-based Citizen's International, an innovative new venture that established public-private partnerships to help build democratic, market systems by working with host countries, multinational corporations, and international aid and lending agencies.
Prior to establishing Citizens International, Atwood served for six years as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the Administration of President William Clinton. In the Clinton Administration, Atwood led the transition team at the State Department and was under secretary of state for management prior to his appointment as head of USAID. In December 1998, President Clinton nominated Atwood as Ambassador to Brazil. He withdrew prior to Senate confirmation to accept his position with Citizen's International.
Atwood has been an adjunct lecturer at Harvard's JFK School, where he taught development assistance, and was the Sol M. Linowitz Professor for International Affairs at Hamilton College.
In 2001, Atwood served on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's Panel on Peace Operations. He was the only American on the ten-member "Brahimi" panel which recommended major changes in the UN's peacekeeping and peace-building operations. He also served on the Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board during this period.
As the administrator of USAID, Atwood introduced comprehensive management reforms and a more focused development strategy. Atwood helped promote a number of highly successful initiatives in the areas of global climate change, democratization, conflict prevention, and health. He led presidential delegations to Haiti, El Salvador, and East Africa, was a special presidential envoy to Eastern Zaire during the exodus of refugees caused by the Rwanda genocide. He also was the first American official to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, Foreign Minister Peres, and Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Yasir Arafat, after Arafat's return to Gaza and the West Bank in 1994. He served as President Clinton's humanitarian relief coordinator during the Kosovo crisis and as the chairman of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
Atwood's career in foreign policy dates back to 1966 when he joined the Foreign Service and served in the American Embassies in Cote d'Ivoire and Spain. He served as legislative advisor for foreign and defense policy to Senator Thomas F. Eagleton (D-Mo.) from 1972-1977. During the Carter Administration, he served as assistant secretary of state for congressional relations. He was dean of professional studies and academic affairs at the Foreign Service Institute in 1981-1982.
Atwood received an honorary doctorate from American University in 1995 for his work in promoting human rights and democratic values. He has received numerous other awards for public service, including the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award.
Atwood's professional and volunteer activities include service as the chair of the board of trustees of AFS International, Secretary-Treasurer of the board of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, and co-chair of the board of Americas Impact. He serves on the executive committee of the board of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration and chairs the organization's international committee and is a member of the boards of the Academy for Educational Development, the Caux Roundtable,the National Democratic Institute, the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, and the World Peace Foundation. Atwood and his wife, Susan, and their daughter, Michelle, make their home in Edina.
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