The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), a business membership organization, has appointed Ambassador Susan Schwab, professor emerita at the UMD School of Public Policy, as its new board chair. In this position, Amb. Schwab will work to advance international trade policies in the interest of its members.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Ambassador Schwab as our new Board Chair,” said NFTC President Jake Colvin. “We look forward to her trusted counsel and leadership at a critical juncture for the global economy.”
Amb. Schwab brings decades of experience in foreign policy to inform her work with NFTC. She served as the United States trade representative from 2006 until 2009, working as the president's principal trade strategist, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. Under her leadership, the U.S. settled a two-decade long dispute with Canada over soft-wood lumber, and worked to resolve trade disputes with China, the European Union and others, primarily related to market access, intellectual property and illegal subsidies.
Amb. Schwab served as dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy from 1995 through 2003. Before joining the administration, she held the position of president and CEO of the University System of Maryland (USM) Foundation and USM vice chancellor for advancement. She shares her expertise on trade policy with current students and teaches PLCY 700.
“The NFTC has long-been a strong supporter of a rules-based global economy and a vibrant platform to help the business community look around corners on trade and tax policies,” said Amb. Schwab. “I look forward to working with NFTC’s Board of Directors to navigate and shape an increasingly-challenging global economic policy landscape.”
