Washington, D.C. - September 26, 2023 – The Truman Center for National Policy is pleased to announce that we are expanding our commitment to the City and State Diplomacy program with the addition of two distinguished individuals, Cecily McLeod and Max Bouchet. McLeod joins as a Visiting Senior Fellow for Cities and Democracy, while Bouchet will move from Visiting Senior Fellow to a full-time staff member as Deputy Director for City & State Diplomacy.

Cecily McLeod brings a wealth of experience to her role as Visiting Senior Fellow for Cities and Democracy. As a certified Arbitrator and Mediator, Cecily has an impressive background in dispute resolution. Her tenure as Senior Counsel at Gordon & Rees LLP, Atlanta, has equipped her with a deep understanding of legal intricacies. McLeod has consistently demonstrated her commitment to community building and international engagement through her work with institutions such as the University of Florida, the Southern Center for International Studies, and the World Affairs Council of Atlanta.

Cecily is pursuing a Ph.D. at Georgia State University with a focus on the U.S. South, Urban History, and Foreign Affairs History. Her interdisciplinary research explores the rise of sub-national diplomacy in the American South, encompassing history, political science, diplomacy, international relations, and law. Through an assistantship, she serves as a U.S. History instructor at GSU.

Max Bouchet brings a strong research and leadership background to his role as Deputy Director for City & State Diplomacy and will assume that role in mid-October. As an Applied Research Manager for State and Local Governments at Guidehouse and a former Senior Policy Analyst and Senior Project Manager at the Brookings Institution, Max has contributed significantly to the study of cities and local governments in addressing global challenges. His work has elevated subnational diplomacy and city networking as vital components of 21st-century multilateralism.

Max also played a pivotal role in co-managing the SDG Leadership Cities Community of Practice and the Global Cities Initiative at the Brookings Institution. His focus on sustainable development, local leadership, and the protection of democracy closely aligns with Truman's mission to promote responsible and effective statecraft.

McLeod and Bouchet's appointments further strengthen the Truman Center's commitment to advancing diplomacy at the city and state levels. Their expertise and dedication will be instrumental in fostering international engagement, strengthening democracy, and addressing global challenges through subnational diplomacy.

For media inquiries, please contact: press@trumancnp.org

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About the Truman Center for National Policy:

The Truman Center for National Policy is a non-partisan, national security think tank committed to advancing a smart, principled approach to national security. Through research, policy analysis, and advocacy, we empower leaders at all levels of government and civil society to make informed decisions and develop effective solutions to global challenges.

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