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.

Luis Navarro joined NDI with more than 23 years of experience in American politics. He has been a trainer and political director for national labor unions, a senior staffer and board member for national campaign committees, and a top aide to members of Congress. He brings this extensive experience to Georgia, where he has served as NDI country director since 2009.

Under Mr. Navarro’s leadership, NDI-Georgia has implemented an online voting records database, an NGO liaison office in parliament, training for parliamentary staff on constituent outreach, working groups on the 2009 election code and the establishment of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Channel 2, as well as a public meeting process for parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee. He also oversees the Future Women Leaders Program, a parliamentary intern program, election observation efforts, and survey research on the views of Georgian citizens. In late 2011, NDI-Georgia will launch a new Parliamentary Communications Center to produce television segments for regional television stations that will provide more localized coverage of parliament’s activities.

Prior to joining NDI, Mr. Navarro served as presidential campaign manager and last chief of staff for Sen. Joe Biden, as well as the national political director on the presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry through the 2004 Iowa Caucus.

Mr. Navarro was born in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park.