Adnan Kifayat

Adnan Kifayat is Head of Global Security Ventures for the Gen Next Foundation, leading its efforts to develop innovative solutions to global security challenges through a venture philanthropy model that leverages a network of entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Gen Next, Adnan held senior positions at the White House, the US State Department, and the US Treasury Department, as well as positions overseas at diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Tunis. He served as ex-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s Acting Special Representative to Muslim communities, creating programs to broaden and deepen partnerships with leaders in Muslim communities worldwide based on shared commitments to global security. While at the State Department, he established the Global Strategic Engagement Center (GSEC) to integrate government-wide programs in their efforts to counter the spread of violent extremism. At the Treasury Department, he negotiated financial agreements between the US, key allies and institutions around the world, and served as Alternate Executive Director of the African Development Bank. He was a director of the US National Security Council staff twice, coordinating counterterrorism and economic policies in the Middle East and Africa. Prior to public service, Adnan created market access strategies for Cargill and designed programs for Delphi International to advance U.S. engagement on a people-to-people basis around the world. Adnan is an Advisor to the Center for Sanctions and Illicit Finance (CSIF) at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracy, an Advisory Member of Harvard University’s Project on Countering Extremism and Online Hate, co-Chair of the Homeland Security Advisory Commission’s Working Group on Countering Violent Extremism, and a Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, offering his advice on strategies for developing the next generation of transatlantic leaders.