David Pressman
David Pressman | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs | |
| Assumed office September 17, 2014 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Jeffrey DeLaurentis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1965 (age 58–59) |
| Alma mater | Brown University New York University |
David Pressman is the United States Ambassador to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs. He was nominated by President Obama, and confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 2014. Ambassador Pressman represents the United States at the United Nations Security Council and in related negotiations.[1]
Biography
Raised in a Jewish family,[2] Pressman received his B.A. from Brown University and his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2004, where he graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif.[2] He clerked for the Supreme Court of Rwanda - where he evaluated post-genocide transitional justice initiatives - and at the Southern Poverty Law Center.[2] He then served as a press lead for the Clinton Administration.[2]
Pressman is an American human rights lawyer and former aide to United States Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. He has advised a number of highly visible individuals on foreign policy and related advocacy strategies.[3] In 2008 Los Angeles Times referred to him as George Clooney's "consigliere."[3][4] With George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Jerry Weintraub, Pressman co-founded Not On Our Watch Project, a leading advocacy and grant-making organization focused on raising awareness about mass-atrocities.[5]
Pressman served as the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security responsible for policy development on global criminal justice issues at DHS.[6][7][8] He also served as the Director for War Crimes and Atrocities on the National Security Council at the White House, where he coordinated the Government's efforts to prevent and respond to mass atrocities, genocide, and war crimes.[9][10] Pressman was a member of President Obama's Atrocities Prevention Board.[11]
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d New York University Law School Alumnus/Alumna of the Month: David Pressman November 2006 | "We must stop kidding ourselves with silly sayings like “never again” — something that was almost a mantra in my Jewish home— and begin to acknowledge that “it” is happening again, and again and again."
- ^ a b [2]
- ^ Los Angeles Times: "George Clooney depends on 'Cuz'" by TINA DAUNT May 2, 2008
- ^ Not on Our Watch Project website
- ^ "USAID Tech Challenge".
- ^ "DHS Leadership".
- ^ "State Department Remarks at Global Counterterrorism Forum".
- ^ Huffington post: "Obama Hires a Clooney Confidant - David Pressman took George Clooney on his first trip to Darfur. Now Obama’s hired him to a new position to help combat genocide and mass atrocities" by Sandra McElwaine April 13, 2010
- ^ "Obama Takes Steps to Stop Atrocity Crimes".
- ^ "USAID Bio".