February 2017

Anzetse Were is an economist, researcher, and analyst with over 10 years of experience working in Africa on development economics, economic analysis and research, impact investment, and enterprise development. Were is a weekly columnist for Business Daily Africa, and her work has also appeared in both local and international publications and websites. Her expertise in development economics has been sought out by local and international media houses such as BBC, CNBC Africa, The Economist, The Financial Times, and local media houses.

Evan S. Medeiros is a Professor and Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He has published several books and articles on East Asian security affairs, U.S.-China relations, and China’s foreign and national security policies. He regularly provides advice and commentary to global corporations and international media.

Medeiros’ background is a unique blend of regional expertise and government experience. He served for six years on the staff of the National Security Council as Director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia and then as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia. In the latter role, he was President Barack Obama’s top advisor on the Asia-Pacific and was responsible for coordinating U.S. policy toward the Asia-Pacific across areas of diplomacy, defense policy, economic policy, and intelligence.

Prior to joining the White House, Medeiros worked for seven years as a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. From 2007 to 2008, he also served at the Treasury Department as a Policy Advisor-China to Secretary Hank Paulson, Jr., working on the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue.

Medeiros holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science, an M.Phil. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge (as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar), an M.A. in China Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, and a B.A. in Analytic Philosophy from Bates College.

Medeiros has served on the Board of Directors of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, is a member of the International Advisory Board of Cambridge University’s Centre for Geopolitics, and is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is married to U.S. Ambassador to Chile Bernadette Meehan, and they have a daughter, Amelia.