Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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DAVID STEPHENSON

Summary

Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Proven track record in conflict resolution, international negotiations, and strategic political and business consultancy with a strong background in law, diplomacy, and economic development.

Overview

2
2
years of professional experience

Work History

Country Director - Albania

Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
08.2022 - Current
  • Leading a team of professionals providing government advisory services to enhance Albania's economic competitiveness and accelerate its digital transformation
  • Designed and created an innovation ecosphere for the country
  • Advised on inaugural AI strategy and policy in line with EU norms
  • Created first digital health and digital education strategies and action plans
  • Developed long-term economic vision for country, which was adopted as Albania’s economic vision
  • Advised on comprehensive plan to upgrade Albania’s digital backbone and enhance eGov services
  • Re-design (ongoing) of country’s investment promotion agency.

Founder

2x4 Digital
  • Provided high level strategic political advice to the Prime Minister related to the adoption and implementation of the Prespa Agreement with Greece, resolving a 28-year frozen conflict and paving the way for North Macedonia's entry as the 30th member of NATO
  • Negotiated the first inter-ethnic pre-electoral coalition in the country’s history
  • Campaign strategist for multiple national and local elections in the Balkans and US
  • Developed advanced digital analytics and data-driven media and marketing strategies for political and commercial clients.

Political-Economic Counselor

U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia
  • Advised the Ambassador and Washington on all political and economic issues in North Macedonia
  • Mediated a series of agreements between the four largest political parties that led North Macedonia out of a period of severe political crisis to free and democratic elections, resulting in the country's first transition of power in ten years
  • Served as INL Director, designing and implementing rule of law assistance programs
  • One of six finalists worldwide for the Department’s Schnabel award for advancing U.S.-EU relations for establishing a close working relationship with the EU and other donors to evaluate the government’s progress in implementing its international commitments.

Foreign Service Officer

United States Department of State
  • Held various roles across multiple U.S. Embassies and in Washington, D.C., working on politics, economy, public affairs, and intelligence
  • Managed cross-functional teams, mediated high-stakes political agreements, and led diplomatic initiatives in North Macedonia, Armenia, Mozambique, and Chile
  • Responsible for high-quality reporting, including editing daily intelligence brief for Secretary of State
  • Led high-level engagements with government, media contacts, and human rights activists
  • Awarded for excellence as outstanding intelligence officer and recipient of various superior and meritorious honor awards.

Attorney

Vinson & Elkins LLP; Thompson & Knight LLP; Winstead PC – Austin and Dallas, Texas
  • Federal court practice, representing clients in complex commercial transactions, litigation, and mediation
  • Primary focus on insolvency, restructuring, and business organizations
  • Worked on multi-sectorial cases, including energy, health, telecommunications, banking, and hospitality.

Education

BA, JD with honors -

The University of Texas at Austin

LLM Studies (no degree) -

University College London

Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Marketing
  • Entrepreneurial and Innovative
  • Client Engagement
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Strategic Planning
  • Visionary leadership
  • Negotiation
  • Staff Management
  • Consulting
  • Analytical and Critical Thinker

Timeline

Country Director - Albania

Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
08.2022 - Current

Founder

2x4 Digital

Political-Economic Counselor

U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia

Foreign Service Officer

United States Department of State

Attorney

Vinson & Elkins LLP; Thompson & Knight LLP; Winstead PC – Austin and Dallas, Texas

BA, JD with honors -

The University of Texas at Austin

LLM Studies (no degree) -

University College London

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DAVID STEPHENSON