US Chamber of Commerce

South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA in discussions with US Chamber of Commerce

The President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA, Neil Diamond, met with Kendra Gaither Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC. She is also the Executive Director of the US-South Africa business council. The US Chamber of Commerce is the largest lobbying group for business in the United States.

Their members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future. For all of the people across the businesses they represent, the U.S. Chamber is a trusted advocate, partner, and network, helping them improve society and people’s lives. 

Kendra Gaither is the Vice President for the U.S. – Africa Business Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She joined this team after more than five years as a member of the Chamber’s Americas Department, adding to a wealth of solutions-oriented global public policy expertise from diverse roles in academia, government, and international business. Previously, Kendra led the Chamber’s U.S.-Colombia Business Council and the U.S. – Cuba Business Council. In her new role, she continues to direct the work of the Coalition for the Rule of Law in Global Markets.

Over her career spanning two decades, Kendra has specialized in international economics and trade policy as a career Foreign Service Officer with the State Department focused on Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas, as well as in an academic environment, leading a global policy center focused on innovation and strategic partnerships at Carnegie Mellon University.

An alumna of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, Gaither began her career in international affairs at the U.S. Department of State. There she spent more than 10 years as a career diplomat and civil servant specializing in international economic and trade issues in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Her overseas Foreign Service assignments include postings at
the U.S. embassies in Peru and Mexico. Domestically, she held numerous positions in the State Department’s Legislative and African Affairs bureaus.

Gaither holds a B.S. in economics from North Carolina A&T State University, as well as an M.A. in international affairs and an M.B.A. in international business finance from The George Washington University. She is a member of the Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT) and a career mentor and volunteer with The Jackie Robinson Foundation.