Suzanne Sheldon

Background

About Suzanne Sheldon

Diplomat, lawyer, writer/editor, rule of law and migration policy expert, and program manager who has been lucky to work in positions that can help make a difference in people's lives. In the U.S. Department of State, that has included rule of law development in post-conflict countries, counter-narcotics work, and life-saving assistance to refugees and vulnerable migrants. In the International Organization for Migration (IOM - the UN Migration Agency, a temporary assignment from 2017-2019), led the team in IOM's New York office that supported UN member states on the Global Compact for Migration, a non-binding initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation among countries in addressing migration challenges and identifying solutions. I value and seek diversity and inclusion both in the work place and in the programs I've conceived and supported. I stand against jargon as the enemy of clear communication. I love to mentor and encourage students and those who are early in their careers. Selected past accomplishments include: • Conceived, secured funding for, and implemented new judicial training institute in Iraq, endorsed by both the U.S. and Iraqi governments. • Launched an innovative international initiative – the Migrants in Countries in Crisis Initiative - in partnership with governments and non-governmental partners, to respond to gaps in humanitarian responses to vulnerable migrants trapped by armed conflict or natural disasters. • Eliminated moribund programs and created a streamlined new regional program model to assist vulnerable migrants, resulting in more effective use of limited funds. • Authored the Colombia and Pakistan chapters of the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for the then-largest counter-narcotics programs supported by the Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. • Served as speaker, panelist, and moderator in many international forums.