Jennifer Nordquist Appointed WTO Deputy Director-General Amid Leadership Renewal

In a significant leadership transition at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has announced the appointment of Jennifer DJ Nordquist of the United States as a new Deputy Director-General (DDG). Ms. Nordquist will officially assume her new role on 1 October 2025, succeeding Angela Ellard, who is stepping down at the end of August after a highly respected term.

This appointment comes at a pivotal time for the WTO as it seeks to reform and revitalize the multilateral trading system amid rising geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and global development challenges.

A Strategic Appointment

Jennifer Nordquist brings a formidable portfolio of experience in economic policy, global finance, and public sector leadership. She is currently serving as Counselor to the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House, advising on a broad spectrum of macroeconomic and international economic issues.

Her career spans numerous high-level roles, including:

• Executive Vice President, Economic Innovation Group — A bipartisan public policy organization promoting inclusive economic growth and innovation.

• Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) — One of the world’s foremost global think tanks focused on policy solutions to international economic challenges.

• Executive Director for the United States, World Bank Group — Representing U.S. interests at the institution during a transformative period for development financing.

• Chief of Staff and Deputy Director, Economic Studies Program at the Brookings Institution — Supporting advanced economic research and policy analysis.

Ms. Nordquist holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications from Stanford University. A native English speaker, she is also fluent in French, enhancing her ability to engage in WTO’s multilingual, multicultural environment.

Director-General’s Endorsement

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala praised Nordquist as “a seasoned economic and policy strategist with decades of leadership experience.” She emphasized the importance of strong and balanced leadership at the WTO Secretariat:

“She will work as part of the senior management team with me and the other DDGs, driving forward our objective of helping our members use trade as a means to raise living standards, create jobs and improve people’s lives.”

Nordquist’s appointment is seen as part of DG Okonjo-Iweala’s broader efforts to bring strategic, policy-savvy leadership to the WTO as it faces a demanding global trade landscape.

Leadership Continuity and Reform Agenda

The announcement also included the reappointment of three existing Deputy Directors-General for a new four-year term:

• Johanna Hill of El Salvador

• Jean-Marie Paugam of France

• Xiangchen Zhang of China

This continuity ensures that institutional memory and strategic direction remain intact as the WTO navigates critical issues such as dispute settlement reform, digital trade regulations, sustainability in global value chains, and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent geopolitical shocks.

In a related development, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala herself was reappointed in November 2024 for a second four-year term, which begins on 1 September 2025. She has consistently advocated for a more inclusive and transparent WTO, pushing for reforms that make the organization more responsive to the needs of developing countries, women in trade, and the digital economy.

A Crucial Time for the WTO

Jennifer Nordquist’s appointment comes at a time when the WTO is under pressure to prove its relevance amid rising protectionism and increasing challenges to multilateralism. Trade tensions among major economies, particularly between the U.S. and China, have complicated negotiations. In parallel, climate change, digital transformation, and supply chain disruptions demand agile and forward-thinking leadership.

As DDG, Nordquist will likely be closely involved in efforts to:

• Modernize the WTO’s rulebook, including work on e-commerce, services, and industrial subsidies.

• Promote inclusive trade to benefit small and medium enterprises, women, and low-income economies.

• Reinforce the dispute settlement mechanism, with reform of the Appellate Body still a priority.

• Advance climate-resilient trade policies and sustainability frameworks aligned with global climate goals.

Looking Ahead

As the WTO prepares for its 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) and continues its post-pandemic reform agenda, the leadership team will play an instrumental role in building trust among member states, improving transparency, and enhancing the institution’s global credibility.

With her deep roots in economic policy and strong background in international institutions, Jennifer Nordquist’s entry into the WTO’s top leadership is widely viewed as a strategic reinforcement of the organization's capacity to drive trade policy that is fair, effective, and future-focused.