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| Chidi Blyden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office October 2023 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs | |
| In office May 2021 – October 2023 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Alan Patterson |
| Succeeded by | Maureen Farrell |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relatives | Edward Wilmot Blyden Edward Wilmot Blyden III |
| Alma mater | Texas A&M University (BS) George Mason University (MS) |
| Awards | Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award (2) |
Chidi Blyden is an American foreign policy and security sector advisor who focuses on defense, diplomacy and development on Africa and the Western Hemisphere. Blyden currently serves as deputy chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Previously, Blyden was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs.
Early Life and Education
Chidi Blyden was born in Portsmouth, England and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. Blyden, whose family is originally from Sierra Leone, attended the Annie Walsh Memorial School for one year in 1994 shortly before the civil war broke out. She then graduated from Crowley High School in 1998. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in conflict, analysis, and resolution from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. She speaks French and Krio.
Career
Blyden began her national security career with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. There, she managed academic programs and outreach.
Obama Administration
In 2013, Blyden joined the Obama administration as Special Assistant and peacekeeping advisor in the Office of Stability & Humanitarian Affairs at the United States Department of Defense. Later, she also served as the special assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs.
After leaving government in 2017, Blyden led the African program at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, developing and delivering training to African defense forces on civilian harm mitigation. In 2019, she joined the United States House Committee on Armed Services as a professional staff member focusing on security issues in Africa and South and Central America.
Biden Administration
In May 2021, Blyden was named as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs. In October 2023, Blyden was appointed deputy chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
References
- "Chidi Blyden". www.defense.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "Chidi Blyden's Appointment to the Biden Administration". Memunatu Magazine. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "U.S. President, Joe Biden Appoints Sierra Leonean Lady, Chidi Blyden-Rowe Into His Cabinet". Sierraloaded. 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "Georgetown University Faculty Directory". gufaculty360.georgetown.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "Former TAMU Sociology undergraduate receives Aggie Impact Award". Texas A&M. November 14, 2024.
- "Chidi Blyden's Appointment to the Biden Administration". Memunatu Magazine. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "Chidi Blyden Joins MCC as Deputy CEO". Millennium Challenge Corporation. 2023-10-16.