Nancy Smith Nissley

Nancy Smith Nissley moved to Hilton Head Island in 2014 and immediately joined World Affairs Council of Hilton Head.

Ms. Nissley's  government tenure includes 20 years of service in the State Department and a decade of service with the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the Office of International Trade, where she focused on binational commissions and partnerships with Russia, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Egypt, the Republic of Ireland and Canada.

At the US Department of State, she served as Senior Advisor for Business Outreach for the Under Secretary of State and as Senior Coordinator for Economic Policy and Public Diplomacy with the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, where she coordinated policy analysis and public outreach. Her portfolio included commercial diplomacy, private sector outreach and advocacy, and strategic planning in the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Asia. During her State Department service, she managed several State Department advisory boards, including the Secretary of State's International Council on Women's Business Leadership and the bureau's Advisory Committee on  International  Economic Policy.

Following her tenure with the State Department, Ms. Nissley became President of N2 International Solutions where she provided consulting services and expertise in developing and implementing international programs and policies.  Her focus was on business advocacy; public-private partnerships; governance and corporate responsibility; women's economic empowerment; conflict resolution; and U.S. innovation and competitiveness.

She has been a frequent guest speaker, including at George Washington University, American University, Cornell University, Syracuse University and at numerous international forums including the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and American Chambers of Commerce worldwide.

In 2004 Ms. Nissley was awarded the Secretary of State's Award for Public Outreach by Secretary Colin Powell. She received numerous Superior, Meritorious, and Franklin awards from the State Department for outstanding leadership and program management.

She earned her M.A. in Public Communications/International Business Emphasis, from The American University, Washington, DC, and a B.S. in Education from the University of Central Missouri.

She continues her interest in international relations, program management and public policy.