Daniel Yohannes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Yohannes
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| United States Ambassador to the OECD | |
| In office May 2, 2014 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Karen Kornbluh |
| Succeeded by | Jack Markell |
| CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation | |
| In office November 2009 – May 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John Danilovich |
| Succeeded by | Sean Cairncross |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 22, 1952 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Saron Yohannes |
| Alma mater | Claremont McKenna College Pepperdine University |
Daniel W. Yohannes (Amharic: ዳንኤል ዮሐንስ; born September 22, 1952) is an Ethiopian-American businessman and a person who gives money to good causes (philanthropist). He served as the U.S. Ambassador to the OECD from 2014 to 2017.
Before that, from 2009 to 2014, he was the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). This is a U.S. government agency that helps other countries. Before working for the government, he had a long career in the financial world. He was president of M&R Investments and held many roles at big banks like U.S. Bank.
In 2006, he helped lead Denver's plan for a greener city. He also helped the Governor of Colorado when he was starting his term.
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Early Life and Education
Daniel Yohannes was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 22, 1952. He went to elementary school and a Catholic high school there. He can speak Amharic, which is the main language of Ethiopia.
When he was 17, in 1970, Daniel moved from Ethiopia to the United States. He finished high school in Los Angeles. Then he went to college, earning a degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College. He later earned a master's degree in business from Pepperdine University.
Daniel Yohannes is married to Saron Yohannes. They have three children.
Daniel Yohannes' Career Journey
Working in Finance
Yohannes started his career in the world of money and banking in 1977. He began as a trainee at Security Pacific National Bank. He worked hard and moved up to become an executive vice president.
In 1992, he moved to Denver to work for First Bank System. He became the president of Colorado National Bank. During his time there, the bank grew a lot. It went from having $2 billion to $9 billion in assets. Colorado National Bank was later bought by U.S. Bank. Yohannes then became the CEO of U.S. Bank's Colorado division. He later became a vice chairman at U.S. Bank. He left in 2003, saying it was time for something new.
Yohannes cared a lot about protecting the environment. In 2006, he helped start the New Resource Bank in San Francisco. This bank invests in projects and businesses that are good for the environment. He also served as president of M&R Investments, a company that invested in real estate and green businesses.
Leading the Millennium Challenge Corporation
In September 2009, President Barack Obama chose Yohannes to be the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The MCC is a U.S. agency that works to reduce poverty around the world. It does this by investing in countries that show they are well-governed.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved his nomination in November 2009. Yohannes said he wanted to help countries become partners, not just receive help. He wanted to deliver "smart aid" that encourages good policies and lasting results.
CNN called him "Obama's man on global development." Yohannes used his business skills to run MCC like a business. He wanted to get the best results for American taxpayers. Under his leadership, MCC started or finished projects worth over $9 billion in 25 countries. These projects helped more than 173 million people escape poverty.
Yohannes led two trips for the President to Africa. He went to Dakar, Senegal, in 2012 for President Macky Sall’s inauguration. He also went to Accra, Ghana, in 2013 for President John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration. In June 2013, President Obama invited Yohannes to join him on a trip to Africa. They visited Senegal and Tanzania. There, the U.S. announced the Power Africa plan, which MCC helps with.
While at MCC, Yohannes often talked about how important investment and development are. He said they help the U.S. economy and national security. He believed that helping African countries become self-sufficient also creates new markets for American products. He also pushed for a complete approach to development. This means not just building things, but also improving access to markets and trade.
Yohannes left MCC in its 10th anniversary year. He helped MCC become known as an agency that focuses on results and uses data to make decisions.
U.S. Ambassador to the OECD
Yohannes became the U.S. Ambassador to the OECD on May 2, 2014. President Barack Obama nominated him in September 2013. The U.S. Senate confirmed him in April 2014.
As ambassador, Yohannes focused on important issues for the U.S. at the OECD. These included climate change, tax fairness, good government, development, and reducing inequality. He worked with the Department of Treasury to create new international tax rules. These rules help stop big companies from avoiding taxes. In November 2015, he helped reach an agreement to limit money for coal power plants. He also helped lead a meeting for the International Energy Agency (IEA). This meeting updated the IEA's goals to fit today's energy world.
In 2015, Yohannes started working to expand the OECD's efforts to fight rising inequality. He wrote an article with the OECD Secretary-General. They argued that the U.S. could lead the way to more fair economic growth. In October, he created a group called "Friends of Inclusive Growth." He used his role to encourage cities and businesses to work together. He compared rising inequality to climate change. He said that cities and businesses could lead a global movement for fair economic growth.
Yohannes supported the creation of a group called Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth. This group was launched in March 2016. He also worked with businesses. He hosted the launch of the OECD Initiative on Business and Inclusive Growth in November 2016.
Yohannes often said that the OECD was very important to the United States. He called it "an extension of U.S. foreign policy." He also spoke about the need to focus on gender equality at the OECD. He believed that gender issues should be part of everything the OECD does. He also pushed the OECD to show the economic benefits of including LGBT people. He argued that society pays a price when a group is cut off from healthcare or social support. Thanks to his efforts, the OECD started a research project. Its goal is to find ways to make policies that include LGBT people.
Yohannes also shared how being an immigrant inspired his public service. He said, "I wanted to give back to the country that gave me so much." He strongly believed in diversity. He said that "America’s greatest resource is its difference." In June 2016, he helped host the first Ethiopian American Policy Briefing at the White House. He told Ethiopian Americans that "America’s melting pot is a recipe for success."
Community Service and Boards
Yohannes is very active in his community. He has served on many boards and groups.
- He was on the board of Project C.U.R.E. This group sends donated medical supplies to developing countries.
- He was also on the board of the National Jewish Hospital. He helped fund a new research and medical building there.
- Yohannes was a co-chairman for the 23rd G8 summit in Denver in 1997. He helped raise money to host this big international meeting.
- He supported Denver Sister Cities International. He played a key role in connecting Denver with the Ethiopian city of Axum.
- He has also supported the arts. He served on the Smithsonian National Board and the board of Media One (now Comcast).
- In 2006, while on the board of the Denver Art Museum, his family helped create the museum's first African art gallery. He also helped expand the museum's African art collection.
- He has shared his knowledge with his community. He served on boards for the University of Washington Michael G. Foster School of Business, the Pacific Coast Banking School, the Boy Scouts of America, and the University of Colorado Medical School.
- In 2019, Yohannes was named a director of the new company Dow Inc..
Awards and Recognition
Daniel Yohannes has received many honors for his service and leadership.
- In February 2013, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave him the State Department’s highest honor. It was called the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award.
- In June 2013, he was invited to join the Council of Foreign Relations. This is a group of experts on international policy.
- In 2013, he was named to Washington Life Magazine’s Power 100 list.
- In 2012, he was on The Africa Report’s list of the top 50 most influential Africans.
- Three foreign governments have also honored him:
- The Philippines gave him the Citation of the Order of Sikatuna.
- Benin honored him with its National Order of Merit.
- Honduras gave him the Honduran Medal of Merit.
