In a significant development, Chidi Blyden, hailing from Sierra Leone, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
Blyden’s new role comes as a result of her impressive career spanning government, academia, and the non-profit sector, during which she garnered prestigious awards, such as the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.
Chidi Blyden brings a wealth of experience to her position at MCC, having most recently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs within the United States Department of Defense. In this role, she acted as the principal advisor on international security strategy and policy matters concerning the African continent.
MCC, an independent U.S. government agency with a mission to combat global poverty through economic growth, focuses two-thirds of its programs on Africa. Blyden’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster MCC’s impact on the continent.
MCC’s CEO, Alice Albright, expressed her enthusiasm regarding Blyden’s appointment, emphasizing her extensive expertise in the region and her inclusive, people-centric leadership style, which aligns well with the agency’s mission to further its ambitions after two decades of excellence.
Chidi Blyden’s career has been dedicated to exploring the impact of culture on policy development and advocating for community-centered approaches to security and stability. Her work has underscored the pivotal role of women and youth, making her a natural fit for MCC’s mission.
Chidi Blyden herself shared her excitement about her new role, stating, “I am thrilled to join the dynamic MCC team as they continue to lead the way on innovative development programs and partner alongside governments to promote economic growth.”
She stressed MCC’s ambitious agenda, which aims to align U.S. and global interests in the 21st century by collaborating with governments and the private sector to foster worldwide prosperity.
This appointment represents a continuation of Chidi Blyden’s public service journey, which commenced in 2021 when she was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs in the Biden Administration at the Pentagon. Her contributions in various roles underscore her commitment to enhancing international security and advancing economic growth, establishing her as a key figure in the global effort to alleviate poverty through economic development.
