Wendy Sherman
Encyclopedia
Wendy Ruth Sherman is a United States diplomat, government official, non-profit manager, and adviser to politicians and business. During the Clinton Administration, she served as Counselor of the United States Department of State
and Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State and North Korea Policy Coordinator.
from 1967 to 1969, and received her degree from Boston University
in 1971. In 1976, she earned a Master's degree
in Social Work, Phi Kappa Phi from the University of Maryland
.
, campaign manager for Mikulski's first successful Senate campaign, Special Secretary for Children and Youth in Maryland (a cabinet-level position), Director of Maryland's Office of Child Welfare, supervising protective services, foster care, adoptions, and group homes.
Sherman directed Campaign '88 for the Democratic National Committee
, where she oversaw field and political operations, communications, Congressional relations, constituency operations, issue development and coordination with all federal, state and local campaigns during the 1988 general election.
From 1991 to 1993, Sherman specialized in strategic communications as a partner in the political and media consulting firm of' Doak, Shrum, Harris and Sherman. Prior to that, she directed EMILY's List
, the largest financial and political resource for pro-choice Democratic women candidates. She is credited with the organization's strategic development that led to groundbreaking numbers of candidates in 1992.
From 1993 to 1996, Sherman served under United States Secretary of State
Warren Christopher
as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
, where she directed the legislative efforts of the State Department with the U.S. Congress. Among other issues, she led the successful efforts to obtain the funding for Russia
and the newly-independent states after the break-up of the Soviet Union
and support for the Dayton accords.
From April 1996 until July 1997, Sherman was President and CEO of the newly recreated Fannie Mae Foundation, which developed to promote home ownership. She was also a member of the operating committee of Fannie Mae. At the Foundation, she set in place the groundwork for the newly-recreated foundation. She then returned to the State Department as Madeline Albright's counselor, with the rank of Ambassador, appointed by President Bill Clinton
and confirmed by the United States Senate
. She advised United States Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright
on major issues of foreign policy, provided guidance to the Department and undertook special assignments.
She has been a Vice Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group
, Albright's international strategic consulting firm, since the group's formation in 2009. She advised Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign, and she has served with Thomas Donilon as an agency review lead for the State Department in the Obama presidential transition. She has been mentioned as a likely candidate for a senior State Department position under Secretary Clinton in the Obama administration.
Counselor of the United States Department of State
The Counselor of the United States Department of State is a position within the United States Department of State that serves the Secretary of State as a special advisor and consultant on major problems of foreign policy and who provides guidance to the appropriate bureaus with respect to such...
and Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State and North Korea Policy Coordinator.
Education
Sherman attended Smith CollegeSmith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
from 1967 to 1969, and received her degree from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in 1971. In 1976, she earned a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Social Work, Phi Kappa Phi from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
.
Career
Early in her career, Sherman worked in a variety of positions in both government and non-profit organizations: chief of staff for three years for then Congresswoman Barbara MikulskiBarbara Mikulski
Barbara Ann Mikulski is the senior United States Senator from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. Mikulski, a former U.S. Representative, is the longest-serving female senator in U.S...
, campaign manager for Mikulski's first successful Senate campaign, Special Secretary for Children and Youth in Maryland (a cabinet-level position), Director of Maryland's Office of Child Welfare, supervising protective services, foster care, adoptions, and group homes.
Sherman directed Campaign '88 for the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
, where she oversaw field and political operations, communications, Congressional relations, constituency operations, issue development and coordination with all federal, state and local campaigns during the 1988 general election.
From 1991 to 1993, Sherman specialized in strategic communications as a partner in the political and media consulting firm of' Doak, Shrum, Harris and Sherman. Prior to that, she directed EMILY's List
EMILY's List
EMILY's List is a political action committee in the United States that aims to help elect female candidates to office. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm in 1984....
, the largest financial and political resource for pro-choice Democratic women candidates. She is credited with the organization's strategic development that led to groundbreaking numbers of candidates in 1992.
From 1993 to 1996, Sherman served under United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
Warren Christopher
Warren Christopher
Warren Minor Christopher was an American lawyer, diplomat and politician. During Bill Clinton's first term as President, Christopher served as the 63rd Secretary of State. He also served as Deputy Attorney General in the Lyndon Johnson administration, and as Deputy Secretary of State in the Jimmy...
as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs within the United States Department of State.- List of Assistant Secretaries of State for Legislative Affairs :-External links:**...
, where she directed the legislative efforts of the State Department with the U.S. Congress. Among other issues, she led the successful efforts to obtain the funding for Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and the newly-independent states after the break-up of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and support for the Dayton accords.
From April 1996 until July 1997, Sherman was President and CEO of the newly recreated Fannie Mae Foundation, which developed to promote home ownership. She was also a member of the operating committee of Fannie Mae. At the Foundation, she set in place the groundwork for the newly-recreated foundation. She then returned to the State Department as Madeline Albright's counselor, with the rank of Ambassador, appointed by President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. She advised United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Korbelová Albright is the first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99–0...
on major issues of foreign policy, provided guidance to the Department and undertook special assignments.
She has been a Vice Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group
Albright Stonebridge Group
The Albright Stonebridge Group is a global strategy company led by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albrightand former National Security Advisor Samuel Berger, and former Senator Warren Rudman...
, Albright's international strategic consulting firm, since the group's formation in 2009. She advised Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign, and she has served with Thomas Donilon as an agency review lead for the State Department in the Obama presidential transition. She has been mentioned as a likely candidate for a senior State Department position under Secretary Clinton in the Obama administration.