Ronald Newman is director of strategic initiatives in the National Political Advocacy Department at the American Civil Liberties Union. His work focuses on issues related to immigration and national security, as well as the development of innovative initiatives and campaigns that cut across the full spectrum of ACLU issues. Prior to the ACLU, Newman worked on the National Security Council during the Obama administration as director for Human Rights and Refugee Protection. There, he led administration efforts to expand the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, planned and coordinated President Obama’s September 2016 Leaders’ Summit on Refugees at the United Nations, managed U.S. engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council, and directed a range of other White House and interagency actions in the areas of immigration, refugee protection, and human rights. Newman previously worked at the U.S. Department of State, and has also spent prior periods of his career living and working in China and in the investment banking sector. He is a 2008 graduate of Yale Law School and 2001 graduate of Morehouse College.