Wendy Sherman

Wendy Sherman began her distinguished career in public service as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs in the Department of State from 1993 to 1996, where she successfully managed congressional relations. Prior to this, Sherman directed Maryland’s Office of Child Welfare, served as Special Secretary for Children and Youth, and led EMILY’s List, a significant financial and political resource for pro-choice Democratic women candidates. She also served as chief of staff for Senator Barbara Mikulski and was a partner in Doak, Shrum, Harris and Sherman from 1991 to 1993. Sherman holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, Phi Kappa Phi, from the University of Maryland (1976) and graduated cum laude from Boston University (1971).

She also continued as Senior Counselor at Albright Stonebridge Group. In September 2018, she authored ‘Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power and Persistence.’ Her expertise led to her formal nomination by President-elect Joe Biden as Deputy Secretary of State on January 16, 2021. After committee approval, her nomination was approved by the full Senate on April 13, 2021, and she was sworn into office on April 14, 2021. As the 21st United States Deputy Secretary of State from April 2021 to July 2023, Wendy Sherman made history as the first woman to hold this role.

She oversaw the daily operations of the State Department and managed key diplomatic initiatives worldwide until her retirement on July 28, 2023. For her contributions to international relations, Sherman was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in 2024, one of Japan’s highest honors for foreign nationals.