The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Scott Kearin is currently NDI's senior resident director in Kyrgyzstan, having previously worked for the Institute in a number of countries since 1998. He initially joined NDI to direct programs in Kyrgyzstan and later managed the political party program in Georgia before moving on to open the Institute’s office in Tajikistan in 2002. In 2003, he became NDI’s resident director in Nepal where he remained for two years before leaving to head the Institute’s office in Turkey in 2005. In 2007, Mr.

Amy Schultz is NDI’s resident director in Kazakhstan, where she oversees all Institute programs from the Almaty office. Previously, she managed NDI initiatives in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. Ms. Schultz brings to the Institute more than 20 years of wide-ranging political and civic experience.

Robert Benjamin is a senior associate and the regional director of Central and Eastern Europe programs. In this latter role, he oversees in-country and regional programs in legislative strengthening, political party development, civil society development, election processes, and women, youth and ethnic minority political participation. He has also contributed to democracy programs in Asia, Latin America, North Africa and West Africa. Mr. Benjamin has worked at NDI since 1993. He holds a B.A. from Princeton University and an M.A.

Tom Kelly joined NDI's Serbia program as its resident senior director in 2007. He brings to the Institute more than 20 years of experience with campaigns and communications, specializing in message development and media relations for nonprofit advocacy organizations, political parties and candidates.