Washington D.C. – Former colleagues praise Algene’s successful tenure as Vice President of External Affairs and Head of Global Gender Equality Initiatives at the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
Algene Sajery is leaving her position as Vice President of External Affairs and Head of Global Gender Equality Initiatives at the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Ms. Sajery, who was hired in December 2020 by the Biden’s transition, he was a key member of the DFC Executive Leadership team, leading the department responsible for stakeholder engagement, communications, interagency coordination, and congressional affairs.
Ms. Sajery also led the agency’s 2X gender investing initiative and supported agency-wide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Algene was the only woman of color and from the African Diaspora on the DFC Investment Committee, and she provided input on all projects valued at more than $20 million. She is retiring after 21 months to return to the private sector.
Current and former colleagues in the Biden-Harris Administration and DFC praised Ms. Sajery’s successful tenure.
“Algene is American, but I am proud to say that he is of Liberian descent,” said the Honorable Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and a member of the DFC Development Advisory Council. “Throughout her career she has championed women. She and I have been fortunate to have worked together. Last year we co-authored an opinion piece on the importance of investing in women and how to unlock their economic potential it is key to sustainable development. I am glad to see that through his role in DFC and the 2X Initiative, Algene turned his words into action.”
“Algene is a dedicated DEIA advocate whose leadership helped uplift and empower DFC’s diverse workforce,” said Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State. “Her commitment to fostering inclusive growth by increasing DFC investments in local, women-led, and marginalized businesses in the developing world is a testament to the positive impact diverse voices can have on foreign policy and national security. from USA”
“Algene is a dynamic public servant who demonstrates the positive impact that diverse voices, including those from the African Diaspora, can have on US politics. The White House. “Algene’s impact on DFC will be felt for years to come, as that the agency continues to make innovative and impactful investments in women entrepreneurs from marginalized communities in Africa and throughout the developing world.”
“Algene was an integral member of the executive leadership team at DFC,” said Linda Etim, former special assistant to the president and senior director for Global Health and Development at the National Security Council. “Her experience not only in development policy, human rights and global women’s issues, but also in strategic communications and legislative affairs made Algene an invaluable asset as the new agency sought to navigate diverse and often divergent priorities. of stakeholders. It was a pleasure working with her, and I’m excited to see what she does next.”
“I have known and worked with Algene for almost two decades,” said Aysha House, Vice President of Congressional and Public Affairs for the Millennium Challenge Corporation. “Her passion for advancing policies and programs that support underserved communities is contagious, and her ability to get things done in this city is second to none. As a former Obama Administration appointee at DFC’s predecessor, OPIC, I was thrilled to see that Algene will use her role to support the incredible workforce at DFC. She will be missed.”
“Algene highlighted and deepened DFC’s focus on the importance of supporting gender and women-led initiatives in development,” said Erin Murphy, former Director of Indo-Pacific at DFC and current Senior Research Fellow and Associate Director of the Economics Program. of CSIS. “From announcing the agency’s work in India to provide loans to MSMEs working on renewable energy projects, to supporting 2X Initiative partnerships with regional financial institutions in the Indo-Pacific of Taiwan and Japan, the work ethic driven by an Algene cause produced tremendous results for the agency.”
“I had the pleasure of working on various African Diaspora initiatives through Prosper Africa with Algene Sajery in her capacity as Vice President of the Office of External Affairs at the International Development Finance Corporation,” said Toyin Awesu-Uhuegbu, Vice President of Marketing and communications. at The Africa Channel and former communications adviser for the Prosper Africa Initiative. “Algene’s dedication to building equitable communities and using her voice to help solve challenges in the developing world was a driving force in her role at DFC.”
DFC Chief of Staff Rebecca Brocato thanked Algene for his service in a message to all staff:
“Many of you have worked directly with Algene and know of his dedication to the DFC mission. During his tenure, Algene significantly increased the size of his department to better serve the needs of a growing agency. He created a new Division of Community Engagement stakeholders and was instrumental in launching new outreach initiatives targeting other US government agencies, civil society organizations, Congress, diaspora groups, and various business associations.He also oversaw reforms to the Corporation’s Congressional Notification processes and procedures, and worked to increase overall proactive engagement with Congress.
“Algene’s strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within DFC was evidenced by bringing diverse leaders to speak with our workforce; championing the launch of the Voices in Development and Mentorship Brown Bag series; her active engagement as member of the DEIA Working group, and highlighting throughout his work the professional trajectories and experiences of collaborators from a cross-sectional sample of the Corporation.
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“Holding two roles as Director of DFC’s 2X Gender Lens Investing Initiative, Algene worked to strengthen the program by helping set strong new goals, launching its first technical assistance financing facility, and securing more resources and staff for the program. In this Algene also helped launch the 2X Collaborative with partner DFIs and the private sector.
“We thank Algene for his service to DFC and wish him the best.”
About Algene Sajery
Ms. Sajery is a seasoned expert on foreign policy and national security. Prior to her political appointment, Algene ran a small strategic consulting firm. She previously served as Senior Foreign Policy and Homeland Security Advisor to United States Senator Ben Cardin (MD). Algene concurrently served as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Director of Democratic Policy for 3 years, becoming the first African-American woman to serve in a senior leadership position on the prestigious committee. Prior to the Senate, Algene held leadership positions in the House of Representatives, including as Democratic Director of Staff for the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights; Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY); and press secretary to the late Congressman John Conyers (MI). As a highly effective legislative strategist and coalition builder, Algene has drafted or negotiated several landmark foreign policy, national security, and international economic development laws, including the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act.
