Wednesday, April 30, 2025 5:30pm to 7:30pm
About this Event
Washington, DC
Elliott School of International Affairs
Lindner Commons‚ 6th Floor
1957 E Street NW
Washington‚ DC 20052
5:30pm Discussion
6:30pm Reception
Join us to hear from Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II‚ former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa and former Dean of the Elliott School‚ as part of the Elliott School’s annual David H. Miller Memorial Lecture on U.S.-Africa Engagement.
Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II is one of America’s foremost experts on African affairs. From 2022-2025‚ he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa‚ the Continent’s largest and most developed economy. He also served as U.S. Representative to the African Union and U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Economic Commission for Africa from 2013-2015. From 2011-2013‚ he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs‚ with responsibility for Southern Africa and Regional Security Affairs. Ambassador Brigety served as Dean of GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs from 2015-2020. While serving as Dean‚ he founded the Elliott School’s Institute for African Studies. From 2015-2022‚ Ambassador Brigety served on the Board of Counselors of McLarty Associates‚ one of the world’s leading strategic advisory firms‚ where he focused on African commercial issues.
Ambassador Brigety is a Distinguished Midshipman Graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy‚ where he earned a B.S. in political science (with merit) and served as the Brigade Commander. He holds an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in international relations from the University of Cambridge. He is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Fellow of the American Academy of Diplomacy.
David H. Miller was a GW alumnus who dedicated most of his professional life to engagement in Africa and was an early and energetic optimist on Africa’s business prospects. After stints at USAID and OPIC early in his career‚ he helped found the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in 1993 and served as its first CEO. Today‚ the CCA remains the leading U.S. business association focused solely on connecting business interests in Africa. Following his death in 2004‚ David’s family‚ friends‚ and fellow alumni established the David H. Miller Endowment for African Studies at the Elliott School in furtherance of his vision of U.S.-Africa engagement. The annual lecture brings high-profile speakers‚ including U.S. government officials‚ scholars‚ analysts and opinion leaders to engage GW and the Washington community on contemporary African issues.
