Directors and Officers

Lorne W. Craner is President of the International Republican Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing democracy, freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide. He served as President from 1995-2001 and then returned to the position in August 2004.

Previously, Craner was Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor for U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.  Among other accomplishments during his tenure, he contributed to the conception and implementation of President Bush’s approach to democratization in the Middle East, sharpened the administration’s focus on human rights in Central Asia, initiated the first U.S. government programs to advance democracy in China, and helped construct the Millennium Challenge Account’s “good governance’ criteria.  Upon his departure from the State Department, Secretary Powell presented Craner with the Distinguished Service Award, the department’s highest honor.

From 1995 to 2001, Craner, as IRI’s President and led the institute to new levels of programmatic achievement, fundraising, financial accountability and news coverage.  He joined IRI as Vice President for programs in 1993.  From 1992 to 1993, Craner was Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council under Brent Scowcroft.   From 1989 to 1992, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.  He also served as Senator John McCain’s Foreign Policy Advisor from 1986 to 1989.  Craner began his career as the Foreign Policy Advisor to then Congressman Jim Kolbe.

Craner sits on the boards of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Internews Network, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.  A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Craner has testified on numerous occasions before House and Senate Committees. 

Craner received his master’s degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and his bachelor's degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon.