President and CEO
Tel: 212.703.5055
Whitney Baird is President and CEO of the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), the leading voice of American business in global economic policy. An accomplished diplomat with a distinguished career in international affairs, Baird is a passionate advocate for open markets, trade, and the role of business in promoting economic prosperity and social progress.
Baird’s extensive experience in government and business has fostered a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the global economy. Prior to joining USCIB, Baird served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, leading efforts to promote American economic interests abroad in close collaboration with U.S. businesses, foreign governments, and international organizations. Baird also led the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as Chargé d’Affaires from 2020-2022, representing American interests in this key forum on economic policy, trade, and development.
During her diplomatic career, Baird was appointed Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at U.S. Embassy London, Director of Multilateral Trade, Director of European Union Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa and Security Affairs, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Europe and European Union and Regional Affairs. She also served at U.S. Embassies in Madrid, Dakar, Lome, and Yaoundé, earning distinction as the recipient of the Secretary’s Career Achievement Award and multiple Superior Honor Awards.
Baird holds a Master’s degree in International Security Studies from the National Defense University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina.
Relevant Articles
UN High-Level Political Forum 2026 Round Up | The UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), held July 7–15, 2026, reviewed action in key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for business on: Water, Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities, and Partnerships. The Forum included a three-day Ministerial Segment and adopted the 2026 Ministerial Declaration. The most influential discussions took place[...]
USCIB Highlights Enabling Conditions for Mutually Beneficial Private Sector Partnerships With Developing Countries at the US Trade Over Aid Forum | USCIB members and staff participated in the Trade Over Aid (TOA) Forum in New York on July 13. Based on the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vision of development that is based on economic growth, the initiative shifts emphasis from government-to-government development grants to mutually beneficial commercial partnerships with[...]
USCIB Contributes Business Views at Inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance | USCIB was on the ground in Geneva July 6-7 for the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The Dialogue, open to all governments and stakeholders, focused on ensuring that AI governance reflects the priorities of all nations, not just the most technologically advanced, and that all nations can benefit. Whitney[...]
USCIB’s Largest-Ever RBC Delegation Makes Its Mark in Paris | USCIB brought its largest US business delegation to the OECD Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Week in Paris, June 29-July 2, with member companies representing the technology, energy, manufacturing, and retail sectors. USCIB members Google, Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, and Microsoft were among those featured as speakers at this year’s[...]