Shari Bryan is the Vice President at the Washington, D.C.-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). Ms. Bryan served as Senior Associate and Regional Director of the Institute's democratic development programs in Southern and East Africa (SEA) from 2001 through early 2008. Now chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Institute maintains offices in more than 60 countries and works to support democratic elections, political parties, parliaments, civic engagement and women’s political empowerment.
Ms. Bryan has played a key role promoting democratic practices in Africa, conceptualizing and organizing projects on political party finance; governance and HIV/AIDS; and increasing the role of legislatures in overseeing the extractive industries. She has overseen the expansion of NDI's programs in the region with the establishment of seven permanent offices, which furnish assistance with political, civic and governance development throughout the African continent. In addition, Ms. Bryan has traveled to and worked in over 22 countries in Africa, organized election observation missions around the region, and provided training in the skills necessary for political candidates, government officials and voters to participate in democratic life.
Ms. Bryan is a guest and commentator for many major news outlets; has testified before the U.S. Congress; and presented papers before a variety of international organizations including the UNDP, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA); the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID); has co-authored “Money in Politics – A Study of Party Financing Practices in 22 Countries”, published in 2005; and “Transparency and Accountability in Africa’s Extractive Industries: The Role of the Legislature”, published in 2007.
Before joining NDI, Ms. Bryan worked as an attorney for the United States government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and served as a legal advisor in the Republic of Palau.
