Charles (Chuck) Cisney

Chief Talent Officer

Charles (Chuck) Cisney became Chief Talent Officer of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in June 2025, bringing significant expertise in Human Resources and People & Culture experience.

Prior to joining NED, Cisney set the direction of IRI’s strategic and operational approach to people and culture to help ensure a strong, motivated, and engaged global workforce. In this role he oversaw and delivered operational excellence in support of worldwide efforts around recruitment and talent, compensation, health and well-being benefits, HR compliance along with employee relations, employee engagement, and professional development. These efforts resulted in a highly engaged workforce focused on strengthening democracy institutions and supporting freedom around the world.

Over a twenty-year career in Human Resources, Cisney has focused on enhancing employee experience and culture in mission–driven organizations. His extensive experience implementing global solutions in a variety of HR environments has included direct experience in Latin America, West and East Africa, Europe, and Afghanistan. Earlier in his career, he worked with organizations such as Chemonics International, Abt Associates, as well as the non-profit Pact. 

A graduate from Florida State University, he holds a BA in International Affairs as well as a MS in Adult and Continuing Education (HRD focus). Previously Cisney was an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, teaching courses in Compensation and International HR Management and was a recipient of an Operational Excellence Award from Humentum, earned while with Pact for his efforts to improve workplace culture through an HR redesign and improvement of the global HR function to support Pact’s worldwide mission and operations.