Institutions of Democracy - 1987 - International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is a global nonprofit founded in 1987 that works to support stronger, more inclusive democratic institutions through credible elections and political participation. IFES collaborates with civil society, public institutions, and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for everyone. Over the decades, it has worked in more than 145 countries, making it one of the leading organizations focused specifically on election administration and democratic development.
In this recording, Peter McPherson discusses how he conceived of the idea of IFES while working as USAID administrator in the 1980s to the founding of the organization in 1987, including his decision for Sarah Tinsley early work in the organization.
Hon. M. Peter McPherson is a U.S. public servant whose long career has centered on foreign aid, international development, and higher education, and finance. Currently, McPherson serves as chair of the Board of Directors for IFES, the organization he was instrumental in founding back during his time with USAID. Prior to his retirement, McPherson served as President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the nation’s oldest higher education association comprising public research universities, land-grant institutions, and state university systems.
McPherson served as Deputy Secretary of the United States Treasury from 1987-89. He served as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development in the 1980s, where he led large-scale humanitarian responses (including the U.S. role during the 1984–85 African famine) and global health and family planning programs, where he first conceived with his Deputy Administrator Jay Morris of the idea of an independent contractor specifically designed to work with USAID on election-related contracts.
He was also the founding Co-Chair of the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa; was Chair of the Board of the International Fertilizer Development Center, an international center focused on soil fertility and agricultural development; and was Chair of the Board of Harvest Plus, an organization working on breeding crops for better nutrition.
He is the former Chair of the Board of Dow Jones and Company.
McPherson was the President of Michigan State University from 1993-2004. Before Michigan State, McPherson held senior executive positions with Bank of America. Earlier he was a partner and head of the Washington office of the Ohio law firm, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. Prior to that, he was a Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford in the White House.
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