Avril Haines Named Carnegie Endowment President
The former intelligence official brings a background in policy and small business to the think tank.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
Avril Haines has assumed the role of president at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The board of trustees appointed the former Director of National Intelligence to lead the organization.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a leadership shift for the influential policy institution. Operators can note how the organization balances traditional research with the diverse background of a new executive who has experience both in federal agencies and as a small-business owner.
Avril Haines becomes the eleventh president in the history of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Beyond her policy background, she previously spent five years operating a bookstore cafe in Baltimore.
The players
Avril Haines
A former Director of National Intelligence and CIA deputy director who previously operated a bookstore cafe in Baltimore.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
A long-standing global think tank dedicated to international policy research and international affairs.
The details
The board of trustees selected Haines following her tenure as Director of National Intelligence and as deputy director of the CIA during the Biden administration. Her professional background also includes private-sector experience as the founder and operator of a small bookstore cafe. She holds academic credentials in physics from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: Avril Haines officially assumed the presidency of the Carnegie Endowment.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows a trend of prominent national security officials moving into leadership roles at major non-partisan think tanks. This shift mirrors the 2021 transition of William J. Burns to the CIA, underscoring the ongoing exchange of expertise between government policy and public-interest institutions.
Operators should observe how the Carnegie Endowment's policy focus evolves under Haines' leadership, particularly regarding the intersection of international policy and commerce. Her background in small business and law provides a unique perspective on the regulatory impacts that think tank research may explore.
The takeaway
Haines' transition highlights the recurring crossover between intelligence policy experience and organizational management. Business leaders can watch how her dual experience in federal administration and small-business ownership influences the institution's public-facing research agenda.
Further reading
For broader trends in organizational leadership transitions, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
