The International Republican Institute (IRI) has announced its new executive team led by President Daniel Twining. Kimber Shearer will serve as IRI’s Executive Vice President. Scott Mastic will continue in his role as Vice President for Programs. Hallam Ferguson returns to the organization as Vice President for Global Operations, and Antonia Ferrier joins IRI as Vice President for External Affairs.
Kimber Shearer ascends to Executive Vice President and will continue as IRI’s in-house legal counsel after serving eight years as IRI’s Vice President for Strategy and Development, where she led IRI’s organizational strategy, business development, and strategic partnerships, and oversaw IRI’s Center for Global Impact. Kimber has worked for IRI since 2006, including as director for governance, deputy director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and deputy director for Asia. She previously served as an official at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC and abroad. Kimber takes over the role from Dan Fisk, after his 13 years of distinguished service to IRI. Fisk stepped into the position after the passing of Judy Van Rest, who guided IRI through much of its 39-year history.
“Kimber has played an invaluable role on our leadership team during my five years at the Institute,” said President Twining. “As we look ahead to the 40th anniversary of IRI’s founding as a core institute of the National Endowment for Democracy, I can think of no better partner to help oversee our growth, development, and strategic impact — and to help manage our expanding institute at a time when people around the world are pushing back against a dangerous authoritarian resurgence to demand their most basic rights.”
Scott Mastic will continue in his role as Vice President for Programs, providing global oversight and guidance on program design and implementation. Scott has worked at IRI for more than 20 years and served as a regional division director before becoming vice president. He has led election observation missions on every continent and coordinates IRI’s partnerships with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS). Scott plays a key role in setting the Institute’s strategic program priorities. He oversees IRI’s Regional Divisions and Women’s Democracy Network and provides innovative technical leadership on IRI public opinion survey research and a range of other programming areas.
Hal Ferguson returns to IRI as its new Vice President for Global Operations. Hal began his career with IRI in Afghanistan in 2004, helping prepare for the country’s first-ever presidential election. His time at IRI included working in Iraq and Afghanistan before rising to Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division. In 2017, Hal left IRI to serve as the Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Middle East Bureau at USAID, where he oversaw U.S. efforts to stabilize Syria amid conflict, help religious minorities in Iraq recover from ISIS genocide, and expand economic and democratic opportunity across the region. Hal brings valuable experience, including the ability to work and operate in complex environments, and knowledge of donor and compliance requirements that will help guide IRI’s global operations.
Antonia Ferrier joins IRI as its new Vice President for External Affairs having built a reputation as a well-respected communications professional. Antonia has more than 20 years of experience providing strategic counsel to prominent elected officials, including leaders in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as Fortune 50 companies, trade associations, and non-profits. Antonia served as a Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics, has participated in international delegations overseas, and has appeared on numerous news outlets, including the BBC, NPR, CNN, Fox, and MSNBC.
“Our new executive team at IRI brings tremendous experience, including a combined 55 years of service to the Institute, that will guide our global team as we work with partners in some 100 countries to seed a fourth wave of democratic reform and renewal,” said Twining.
