General Colin Powell
For over fifty years, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) has devoted his life to public service. Having held senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations, Powell’s deep commitment to democratic values and freedom has been felt throughout the world.
From 1987-1989 Powell served as President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor. He served from 1989-1993 as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for both President George H.W. Bush and for President Bill Clinton. He was not only the youngest officer and first ROTC graduate to ever serve in the position but also was the first African American to do so.
During his time as Chairman, he oversaw 28 crises to include the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War.
Under President George W. Bush, Powell was appointed the 65th Secretary of State and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
As Secretary of State, he led the State Department in major efforts to address and solve regional and civil conflicts. He used the power of diplomacy to build trust, forge alliances and then help transform these unstable regions into areas where societies and cultures have the potential to prosper. He also worked at the forefront of American efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide.
Powell is the Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at his alma mater, the City College of New York (CCNY).
He is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the America’s Promise Alliance, dedicated to forging strong and effective partnership alliance committed to seeing that children have the fundamental resources they need to succeed.
He serves on the Museum Council of the Smithsonian Institute’s African American Museum of History and Culture and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Powell serves on the Board of Directors of Bloom Energy and Salesforce.com
He has written two New York Times best-sellers. Powell’s autobiography, My American Journey, was published in 1995. His second book, It Worked for Me in Life and Leadership, was published in 2012 and reveals the lessons that shaped his life and career.