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Yohannes Abraham
Government
Yohannes Abraham is an American government official currently serving as the Deputy Assistant to the President, Chief of Staff, and Executive Secretary of the National Security Council at the White House. He has a notable history in public service, including significant roles during both the Obama and Biden administrations.
Early Life and Education
Abraham was born to Ethiopian immigrant parents in Springfield, Virginia. He graduated from Yale College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2007 and later earned an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School, where he was recognized as a Baker Scholar in 2019.14
Career Overview
Obama Administration
- Campaign Involvement: Abraham began his career in politics with the Obama '08 campaign, serving as a field director in Virginia.
- White House Roles: He held several positions, including Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the National Economic Council. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, working closely with Valerie Jarrett.14
Biden Administration
- Transition Team: Abraham was pivotal as Executive Director of the Biden-Harris Transition, overseeing operations related to national security and economic policy.12
- National Security Council: From January 2021 until September 2022, he served as Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary at the National Security Council, managing its administrative functions.23
Ambassador to ASEAN
In September 2022, Abraham was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where he focused on enhancing U.S. relations with Southeast Asian countries.14 He is expected to play a significant role in Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential transition team for the upcoming election.5
Abraham's career reflects a commitment to public service and strategic leadership within U.S. foreign policy and national security frameworks.


