Hilary Brandt is the Director of the Office of Innovative Engagement (OIE) in the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) at the U.S. Department of State. The Office of Innovative Engagement provides expertise in the best use of new and emerging digital tools for public diplomacy. Hilary oversees research and development of new tools and platforms, comprehensive education and support for the department’s 200 plus social media practitioners, and outreach to the technology industry.
Hilary joined the U.S. Department of State twelve years ago, and prior to running OIE, she was the Director of Digital Communications in the department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Hilary was widely recognized for pioneering ECA’s social media outreach and managed an extensive project to convert ECA’s websites to responsive and adaptive design. Following this project, ECA’s “American English” website was honored at the 2013 Webby Awards.
Prior to working at the State Department, Hilary worked for several years managing international exchange programs at IREX. Hilary has a BA in Slavic languages and literatures from Indiana University and an MA in Political science from The George Washington University. Hilary is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and she is fluent in Russian.
