Maria Otero, Under Secretary, Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Washington, DC

Maria Otero was sworn in as Under Secretary of State on August 10, 2009. She oversees and coordinates U.S. foreign relations on the spectrum of civilian security issues across the globe, including democracy, human rights, population, refugees, trafficking in persons, rule of law, counter-narcotics, crisis prevention and response, global criminal justice, and countering violent extremism. She also serves as the President’s Special Representative for Tibetan Issues.

Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Ms. Otero is currently the highest ranking Hispanic official at the U.S. Department of State, and the first Latina Under Secretary in its history. Ms. Otero was formerly the president and CEO of ACCION International, a pioneer and leader in economic development working in 25 countries around the globe. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on inclusive economic growth, women’s issues and international development. Prior to ACCION, Ms. Otero was the Economist for Latin America for the Women in Development office of USAID. She also served for five years at the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA). Ms. Otero was an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins’ Nitze School for Advanced International Studies, in Washington, DC, before joining the U.S. Department of State.