Reta Jo Lewis Sworn in as U.S. Export-Import Bank President and Chair
February 16, 2022
(Ex-Im Bank)
Historic New Chapter Begins with a Focus on Small Businesses, American
Competitiveness Around the World
WASHINGTON – As America celebrates Black History Month, Reta Jo Lewis today
became the first Black woman and person of color to head the Export-Import Bank
of the United States (EXIM) since its founding 88 years ago. Joined by her three
siblings, Lewis was sworn in as EXIM’s President and Chair by Vice President
of the United States Kamala Harris. The ceremony took place at the Vice
President’s ceremonial office at the White House in Washington, D.C.
“Today is the start of a historic new chapter for the Export-Import Bank,”
said Chair Lewis. “I am deeply humbled by the faith President Biden has placed
in me. I will lead the agency with high standards and work tirelessly to lift
the agency towards fulfilling its mission.”
“Americans are the strongest, most hardworking people on Earth. I am extremely
proud that I will have the opportunity to support the small businesses that are
the backbone of our country’s economy,” Chair Lewis continued. “As we move
forward, EXIM will work to expand outreach to historically under-served
businesses, enhance collaboration and partnerships with state and local
officials, and ensure that as our nation’s economy recovers from the COVID-19
pandemic American companies and American workers can count on EXIM standing
shoulder-to-shoulder with them as they compete around the globe.”
Chair Lewis, a native of Statesboro, Georgia, arrives to EXIM with deep
expertise across international affairs, having served in leadership roles at the
White House, U.S. Department of State, German Marshall Fund of the United
States, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and in international law. She takes the
helm with a commitment to fight for American exporters and American workers as
they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Lewis on February 9, 2022, and her term expires
January 20, 2025.
ABOUT CHAIR RETA JO LEWIS:
Official Portrait of EXIM Bank President and Chair Reta Jo LewisOn February 9,
2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed Reta Jo Lewis as EXIM’s President and Chair of
Board of Directors. Chair Lewis was sworn in by Vice President of the United
States Kamala Harris on February 16, 2022. Ms. Lewis is a senior executive with
over 25 years of leadership experience in international affairs, legal, public
policy, business and regulatory affairs, and subnational diplomacy.
Ms. Lewis was most recently a Senior Fellow and Director of Congressional
Affairs at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. At GMF, Ms. Lewis led
and oversaw initiatives, programs, and bipartisan exchanges for members of the
U.S. Congress and their European counterparts, focusing on leadership
development and subnational diplomacy efforts. Prior to her time at GMF, she
served as the first-ever Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental
Affairs under Secretary Hillary Clinton at the U.S. Department of State during
the Obama-Biden Administration. As Special Representative, Lewis was the chief
diplomat in charge of the international efforts to build and support strategic
relationships between the federal government, state and local leaders, and their
foreign counterparts. In 2013, she was awarded the Secretary’s Distinguished
Service Award.
Ms. Lewis was the first Black woman to serve as an Officer at the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce, working as Vice President and Counselor to the President. She led
the Chamber’s initiatives focused on fostering strategic alliances between
small businesses, especially women- and minority-owned businesses,
entrepreneurs, and executives. She is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign
Relations and Member of the Board of the Leadership Council for Women in
National Security.
Ms. Lewis received a J.D. from Emory University School of Law, an M.S.A.J. from
American University, and a B.A. from the University of Georgia. She is a native
of Statesboro, Georgia.
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