Lorne W. Craner, President

Craner (center) talks to a poll worker during Egypt's January 2012 people's assembly elections. Lorne Craner returned to IRI as President in 2004 and has since led the strengthening of IRI’s democracy assistance programs in countries such as Burma, China, Colombia, Kenya and Tunisia. IRI has become the industry leader in encouraging women’s political participation, and in program monitoring and evaluation. IRI has also broadened its work in governance and the use of technology in democracy assistance, built an unprecedented level of cooperation with U.S. and foreign democracy building organizations, and held its most successful fundraisers, since Craner’s return.

Previously, Craner was Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to Secretary of State Colin Powell. Among other accomplishments, Craner initiated the first U.S. government programs to advance democracy in China, helped construct the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) “good governance” criteria, sharpened the administration’s focus on human rights in Central Asia, and contributed to the conception and implementation of the administration’s approach to democratization in the Middle East. Upon his departure, Craner received the Distinguished Service Award, the State Department’s highest honor, from Secretary Powell.

From 1995 to 2001, Craner, as IRI’s President, led the Institute to new levels of programmatic achievement, fundraising, accountability and news coverage. He joined IRI as Vice President for Programs in 1993. From 1992-93 he served at the National Security Council as a Director of Asian Affairs under General Brent Scowcroft, and from 1989-92 was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs under James Baker. Craner was Senator John McCain’s legislative assistant (LA) for foreign policy from 1986-89; he began his career as then-Congressman Jim Kolbe’s foreign policy LA.

In 2013 Craner received Senate confirmation for a third time, to MCC's Board of Directors; he had previously served on the board from 2007-2010. He also serves on the board of Internews and the policy board of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor’s Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, he has testified more than two dozen times before House and Senate committees. Craner graduated from Georgetown University (MA), Reed College (BA) and Phillips Exeter Academy.

Lorne’s Speeches, Testimony and Writings:

Egypt at a Crossroad (PDF)

A Tribute to Vaclav Havel

A Tribute to Secretary Lawrence Eagleburger

Recent Developments in Egypt and Lebanon: Implications for U.S. Policy and Allies in the Broader Middle East (PDF)

Human Rights and Democracy Assistance: Increasing the Effectiveness of U.S. Foreign Aid (PDF)

The Importance of Credible Elections in Afghanistan (PDF)

Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship Agenda

Good Foreign Aid Helps U.S. Taxpayers, Deseret News

Zimbabwe: Opportunities for a New Way Forward (PDF)

U.S. Must Work to Prevent Radicalization, The Indianapolis Star

Support for Burma's Democrats is Not Meddling, South China Morning Post