Jennifer Brinkerhoff

Jennifer Brinkerhoff is a Professor of International Affairs, International Business, and Public Policy & Public Administration at George Washington University. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and an MPA from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Her research focuses on public-private partnerships, diaspora engagement, institutional reform, and international development. She has authored or co-authored over 70 articles and eight books, including Institutional Reform and Diaspora Entrepreneurs: The In-Between Advantage (Oxford UP, 2016) and Partnership for International Development: Rhetoric or Results? (2002).

Dr. Brinkerhoff has consulted for multilateral organizations like the World Bank, USAID, and the UN, advising on diaspora policies, governance reforms, and development strategies. Her work emphasizes leveraging diaspora networks for post-conflict reconstruction, NGO effectiveness, and global health partnerships. She has received prestigious awards such as the 2016 Fred Riggs Award for Lifetime Achievement and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Her teaching includes courses on strategic management in international affairs and public service leadership. She advocates for inclusive career pathways in international public service, as seen in her co-authored guides like The Young Black Leader’s Guide to a Successful Career in International Affairs (2022). Her research consistently bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in weakly governed states and global development partnerships.