Richard Gere, Chair of the ICT Board of Directors, said: “I’ve worked with Mary Beth for over twenty-two years on this issue. Throughout our experiences together- whether in the field or the halls of political power – she has remained a skillful navigator whose commitment and reliability take shape from a vast understanding of the issue. It gives me great pleasure to announce her new position as President.”
Ms. Markey succeeds Tenzin N. Tethong, one of the founders of ICT, Lodi Gyari, Special Envoy to the Dalai Lama, and most recently John Ackerly as ICT President.
During her tenure at ICT from 1996, Mary Beth Markey played a key role in the institutionalization of the Tibet issue in the U.S. Government, including contributing to the passage of the Tibetan Policy Act (TPA) in 2002. At the time, Markey said: “With this move, the U.S. Government has put the force of law behind its longstanding support for the welfare of the Tibetan people and a negotiated solution for Tibet.”
Before joining ICT in 1996, Markey worked as staff on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for eight years, where under the then Chairman Claiborne Pell (D-RI), she began her work on Tibet. In 1994, Markey participated in the launch of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party Mission in Washington, D.C., as Director of Government Relations.
Prior to accepting the position of ICT President on July 6, Markey served as ICT Vice President for International Advocacy, integrating a team based in Washington, Berlin, Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Kathmandu and Dharamsala in order to further ICT’s advocacy work internationally. She previously concentrated on building support for Tibet in the U.S. Congress and Administration.
Markey’s influence extends beyond ICT; she is respected for her leadership by the international Tibet movement and the Tibetan exile community. She has led numerous delegations to South Asia and plays a key role in advocacy for Tibetans in Nepal. She is known not only as an outstanding advocate in the U.S. Capital but also as a strong strategic thinker, a creative and compassionate co-worker, and not least, as great company. She takes over as President at a critical time for Tibet.
Former ICT President John Ackerly, who now serves on its Board of Directors said: “The Board considered many candidates for this position and found none who we thought could serve the organization better in coming years. The Board felt that Mary Beth’s dedication, leadership, respect in Washington human rights circles and from the staff of ICT were impressive and invaluable as head of this organization during a critical period. We are extremely pleased to welcome her to this new position and look forward to working with her in building ICT’s capacity as an effective international advocacy institution.”
Markey’s team at the International Campaign for Tibet includes the Vice President for Special Programs, Bhuchung Tsering, who heads up ICT’s Chinese outreach work; the Executive Directors of the Amsterdam and Berlin offices, six Directors, and colleagues in research and monitoring, campaigns and advocacy, communications and fundraising.