Wendy Sherman

Wendy R. Sherman is an American diplomat who served as the 21st United States Deputy Secretary of State from April 2021 to July 2023, the first woman to hold the position. In that role, she managed day-to-day operations of the State Department under Secretary Antony Blinken. Previously, as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2011 to 2015, Sherman led the U.S. team in negotiations culminating in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a 2015 agreement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, though the deal later faced criticism for its temporary restrictions and Iran's subsequent violations. Her earlier career included serving as Counselor of the Department of State from 1997 to 2001, where she advised on North Korea policy and Middle East issues, building on her initial experience as a social worker with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Sherman, who began in government through roles in Democratic politics and advocacy, received the National Security Medal from President Barack Obama for her diplomatic contributions.

Wendy Sherman was born in 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland, to a Jewish family. Her father, Malcolm Sherman, served as a U.S. Marine during World War II and was wounded at Guadalcanal. Alongside her mother, he attended the founding conference of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945, reflecting early family involvement in international affairs.