Press Release

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, former executive vice president of Freedom House, joins the Bush Institute full-time

DALLAS, TEXAS — The George W. Bush Institute announced today that democracy expert Nicole Bibbins Sedaca will join the Bush Institute full time as the Kelly and David Pfiel Fellow, working to advance the organization’s work on democracy, opportunity, and leadership at home and abroad.

“I am thrilled Nicole will be joining our team full-time and playing an extensive role in advancing the policy work of the Bush Institute,” said David J. Kramer, Executive Director of the Bush Institute. “Nicole’s expertise, experience in American government and great reputation in the field of democracy and human rights will add another important and credible voice to our established team of experts as we work toward increasing opportunity for all Americans and advancing free societies around the globe.”

Bibbins Sedaca initially joined the Bush Institute in 2019 as the Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow while she was teaching at Georgetown University and during her tenure as executive vice president and interim president at Freedom House. In her role, she wrote and spoke on behalf of the Bush Institute and lectured at the Bush Institute’s leadership programs—Presidential Leadership Scholars and Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program— and she supported the Bush Institute’s international and domestic democracy programming.

“After more than two decades in the democracy community, I am delighted to join the Bush Institute team full time,” Bibbins Sedaca said. “I admire the exceptional team and look forward to advancing the Bush Institute’s work on strengthening American democracy and advancing free societies, particularly at this crucial time in the world.”

Before joining Freedom House, Bibbins Sedaca served at Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service program as the deputy director, chair for the Global Politics and Security Concentration, and a professor in the practice of international affairs.

Bibbins Sedaca has held numerous positions in the public and non-governmental sectors in the United States and Ecuador. She served for ten years in the United States Department of State, where she worked on promoting democracy, human rights, religious freedom, refugees, and counterterrorism, as well as the fight against human trafficking.  She opened and led the Ecuador office of the International Republican Institute in Quito, Ecuador. Bibbins Sedaca has served on various academic and non-profit boards, and she currently serves on the board of directors for the International Justice Mission and the advisory board of the Georgetown Master of Science in Foreign Service.

“Nicole and I go back more than 20 years, when we both worked in President Bush’s State Department, and she will be a tremendous addition to our already strong team, Kramer said.”

Bibbins Sedaca holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from The College of William and Mary, where she was a Monroe Scholar. She studied at Humboldt Universitaet in Berlin, Germany, while on a Rotary International Scholarship.

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About the George W. Bush Institute

The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at bushcenter.org.