Ambassador John J. Danilovich began his duties as Chief Executive Officer for the Millennium Challenge Corporation on November 7, 2005, continuing a distinguished career of more than thirty years in both the public and private sectors.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is based on the principle that foreign aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people, and under his leadership has become a key U.S. Government agency reducing poverty through economic growth.

Prior to his appointment by President Bush as CEO, Ambassador Danilovich served as the American Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica and to the Federative Republic of Brazil.

Ambassador Danilovich has been a businessman and private investor with a strong background in foreign affairs. A native Californian and resident of London for many years, he was active in the international shipping business for over two decades and served as director of companies in the shipping, property, publishing and investment fields.

Ambassador Danilovich served on the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Commission from 1991 though 1996 and chaired the Commission’s Transition Committee prior to the transfer of the Canal to the Panamanians. Ambassador Danilovich has been a Director of the Stanford University Trust, a Trustee of the American Museum in Britain, a Director of the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission, and has served in leadership positions for several charitable organizations.

The Ambassador graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and received a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California (London). Ambassador Danilovich is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an Associate Fellow of Pierson College (Yale University), a Knight of Malta and the recipient of several national and international awards including the Choate Alumni Seal Prize.

Now residents of Washington, DC, Ambassador Danilovich and his wife, Irene, have three children.

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