WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) today announced former U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) as the new Co-Chair of the USGLC Board of Directors, joining fellow co-chair Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN). Congresswoman Murphy replaces Stephen Benjamin, former Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, who is the new Director of the Office of Public Engagement at the White House.  

“It is a privilege to join the USGLC Board of Directors at a time when global stability matters more than ever to American stability,” said Murphy. “From my time in Congress to my national security work in the Department of Defense, I have seen the difference that American global leadership makes in advancing our economic and security interests. With China’s growing influence, Russia’s war on Ukraine, rising food insecurity, and growing humanitarian crises, it is more important than ever to invest in America’s diplomacy and development programs, and I am honored to join and help lead this broad-based, effective coalition in engaging our fellow citizens in this pursuit.”  

“Having Representative Murphy as our new USGLC Board Co-Chair is a powerful addition to our leadership,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC CEO & President. “As a highly respected national security expert and businesswoman, Congresswoman Murphy will bring great strength to our leadership given her experience, skills and vision. I am particularly taken by her personal life experience, which in essence is the USGLC story, having fled Vietnam with her family after the war, and rising to become the first Vietnamese-American woman elected to the House of Representatives. Having Stephanie’s passion and insights to advance our mission of building a better, safer world will clearly make us stronger and wiser.”  

“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Stephanie Murphy. While we come from different sides of the aisle, Representative Murphy and I both know that America’s continued role in the world through development and diplomacy is not a Democratic or Republican issue, but an American issue to advance our interests,” said former Senator Norm Coleman. “I have great respect for her unique foreign policy and business experience, and am excited to get started working with her as my new Co-Chair.”  

Congresswoman Murphy steps into the role of Co-Chair of USGLC’s education arm, which focuses on educating the American public and engaging foreign policy and national security policy leaders about the importance U.S. global leadership through America’s civilian-led tools of diplomacy and development, alongside defense, to build a better, safer world. She and Senator Coleman will work in partnership with the USGLC’s advocacy arm, led by Board Co-Chairs, Candi Wolff of Citigroup and Sean Callahan of Catholic Relief Services.