Maju Varghese Named COO of The National Endowment for Democracy  

India-West Staff Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has named Maju Varghese as its new chief operating officer (COO). Varghese very recently stepped down as deputy assistant to the president and director of the White House Military Office, overseeing nearly 3,000 military and civilian personnel who ensure essential services for the daily and worldwide functioning of the presidency.

NED president and chief executive officer Damon Wilson said of Varghese, “His long track record of operational, managerial, and legal experience, and his demonstrated success working in complex, demanding, high-profile roles will be a great asset at a time of rapid organizational growth and change at the Endowment. Maju is a consummate professional who brings an inspiring integrity and a generous character to all his interactions. His experience as the son of immigrants from India, his proven leadership, and deep commitment to our democratic mission will be integral to NED’s efforts to support those struggling on the frontlines of democracy around the world.”

Varghese has also served as chief operating officer and senior advisor for the Biden campaign, and then as executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. He held multiple roles during the Obama-Biden Administration.

A lawyer by training, Varghese has also worked as a senior advisor at Dentons, chief operating officer at the Hub Project, and as an associate at Wade Clark Mulcahy, a law firm in New York.

NED is an independent, nonprofit, grant-making foundation dedicated to the development and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world.