Sheila Crowley (Ukraine) is new chief operating officer of NED

National Endowment for Democracy 

Sheila Crowley (Ukraine 2001-03)

Washington, D.C.—The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has named Sheila Crowley (Ukraine 2001-03) as its new chief operating officer (COO) at a time of historic leadership change, growth, and transition for the organization. Crowley previously served as the Executive Vice President and COO at Global Communities, and the Acting Director of the U.S. Peace Corps. She joined the NED staff on April 16th, 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome Sheila Crowley to the Endowment,” said NED President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Damon Wilson. “Her experience managing global teams and in the field grounds her in the importance of the work of NED partners and its core institutes around the world. Her passion for helping complex organizations deliver on their missions in tough environments will be critical to helping NED ensure that we are fit for the future at this consequential moment for democracy.”

At Global Communities—a $280M international development organization working in 35 countries with over 1,500 employees worldwide — Crowley managed a large portfolio, including IT, Communications, Innovation, Safeguarding, and Global Security. Prior to her tenure at Global Communities, Crowley served as Vice President of Volunteer and Institutional Engagement at Habitat for Humanity International.

Crowley also spent over a decade with the U.S. Peace Corps

From 2017-2018, she served as Acting Director of the Peace Corps leading major transitions in its strategy and programs. She started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mukachevo, Ukraine (2001-03) before returning later in her career to become the Country Director in Romania and then Indonesia. In 2015, Crowley served as the Corps’ Chief of Operations, Volunteer Recruitment and Selection.

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is an independent, nonprofit, grant-making foundation dedicated to the development and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. With an annual appropriation from Congress, NED funds more than 2,000 grants in over 100 countries. NED’s grants program is augmented by the International Forum for Democratic Studies; the Journal of Democracy; the Reagan-Fascell Fellowships Program; the World Movement for Democracy; and the Center for International Media Assistance.