Deborah Lehr
Chair and CEO
Areas of Specialty
Geopolitics and Risk Analysis
Antiquities Trafficking and Cultural Heritage Preservation
Biodiversity and Sustainability
Business Practices
China
Middle East
Europe
Market Access and Investment Counsel
insights
about
Deborah Lehr is the CEO of Basilinna, a strategic advisory firm, and the Executive Director of the Paulson Institute, created by former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. She has worked in Asia, the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe. Previously, Deborah launched Edelman Global Advisory, the public affairs firm of Edelman, after it acquired her firm. She was a partner at the law firm, Mayer Brown, Senior Director at the New York Stock Exchange, and Senior Advisor to the Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch. Deborah started her career in the U.S. Government as a Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, a Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, and at the Commerce Department, working on export controls and trade. Deborah is the founder and Chairman of the Antiquities Coalition, which fights against the illicit trade in antiquities, where her leadership role has earned her global recognition. She is on the boards of National Geographic, World Monuments Fund, the Middle East Institute, and the Meridian International Center, where she is Vice Chair/Chair-elect. She is also on the Advisory Boards of Sesame Workshop and Aliph. Deborah is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
