Lorne W. Craner

President, International Republican Institute

Lorne Craner returned to the International Republican Institute (IRI) as President on August 2, 2004, following his unanimous selection by IRI’s Board of Directors. Since then he has led the strengthening of IRI’s programs in countries such as China, Colombia, Pakistan, Russia and Turkey.

IRI has also broadened its work in areas such as governance, women’s participation, access for the disabled, and the use of technology in democracy promotion. Since 2004, IRI has had an unprecedented level of cooperation with American and foreign democracy building organizations. IRI has also held its two most successful fundraisers since Craner returned; the first honoring President George W. Bush, the second honoring Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and First Lady Laura Bush.

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

From 1995 to 2001, Craner, as IRI’s President and led the institute to new levels of programmatic achievement, fundraising, financial accountability and news coverage. He joined IRI as Vice President for programs in 1993. From 1992 to 1993, Craner was Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council under Brent Scowcroft. From 1989 to 1992, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs. He also served as Senator John McCain’s Foreign Policy Advisor from 1986 to 1989. Craner began his career as the Foreign Policy Advisor to then Congressman Jim Kolbe.

Craner sits on the boards of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the Internews Network (a nonprofit organization supporting open media worldwide). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Craner has testified on numerous occasions before House and Senate Committees.

Craner received his master’s degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and his bachelor's degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon.