Deniece Laurent-Mantey serves as the Executive Director of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States and the senior State Department representative for the U.S.- Africa Leaders Summit. From April 2021 – February 2023 she served as the Director for Africa at the White House National Security Council where she led over 18 U.S. government agencies and coordinated with various stakeholders to execute President Biden’s priorities for the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and was the policy architect behind the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement.  Laurent-Mantey led efforts to help generate $15 billion to support trade and investment across Africa, and a $55 billion commitment to advance U.S.- Africa shared priorities. Under her guidance, the White House launched the $800 million Digital Transformation with Africa initiative. Since 2008, Laurent-Mantey has served on the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff, held the position of Acting Deputy Director and Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs, served as Special Assistant to Secretaries of State Clinton and Kerry, and worked as a Staff Assistant and intern in the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science; the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; and the Bureau of African Affairs from 2008-2012. Laurent-Mantey is the recipient of two Department of State Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Honor Awards. She was named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in 2018.  She has an MA in African Studies and Public Policy from Howard University and a BA in International Relations from Syracuse University.