Anne C. Richard joined Freedom House as a Distinguished Fellow and Afghanistan Coordination lead in early October 2021. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration in the Obama Administration (2012-2017). 

Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Ms. Richard was the vice president of government relations and advocacy for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Earlier in her career, she served in other senior positions at the State Department, at Peace Corps Headquarters and at the US Office of Management and Budget. She has lived overseas in Austria, Germany and France and traveled extensively to crisis zones around the world.

She has taught or lectured at a number of Universities and also been an advisor/activist on refugee issues to a wide range of efforts. She currently serves on the board of USA for IOM and the Harris Council at the University of Chicago. She is also a member of the Refugees International Advisory Council, and on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s President’s Council.