W. Robert Pearson

W. Robert Pearson has been president of IREX since November 2008. He brings to IREX strong leadership and management skills as well as impressive strategic vision. As Director General of the US Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006, he introduced critical changes in America’s diplomacy, earning awards for innovation and management improvement and preparing the United States for the challenges of the 21st Century. He served as Ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003 during a critical period and was previously posted in Paris, Brussels, Beijing, Taipei and Auckland, New Zealand, in addition to other senior positions at the Department of State. He speaks French, Turkish and Chinese and brings a wide and deep understanding of the domestic and international foreign affairs scene. From 2006 to 2008, he headed the international business division of The Spectrum Group in Alexandria, Virginia.