The Global Plum Book

One year ago just after the Presidential election, the USGLC released “The Global Plum Book,” which outlined the 100 most influential positions in government that would shape and manage the global engagement agenda. One year into the Obama Administration, we have updated the “Global Plum Book” providing a snapshot of who has filled key positions, what added positions are in place and where vacancies still exist.

There is a great deal of momentum within the Obama Administration and from Capitol Hill to promote a smart power approach to foreign policy. With an emphasis on key global initiatives, there are new positions included in this version of the Global Plum Book to reflect the whole-of-government approach the Administration is taking toward development and diplomacy. The Secretary of Agriculture, for instance, is a key player in the food security initiative, and the State Department has a number of Special Envoys now overseeing other key initiatives. The recent announcement of a USAID Administrator nominee fills a key slot important to the future of development but the delay has resulted in an agency with a number of key vacancies.

We hope you find the Updated Global Plum Book useful. It is organized to search by government agency and then divided into the original categories of policymakers, managers, influencers, and implementers.

Thank you for your interest in putting smart power to work!