Brandon Yoder

Brandon P. Yoder currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). In this role, he oversees $2 billion in INL programs across Europe and Asia to strengthen the rule of law and combat transnational crime, corruption, cybercrime, and the trafficking of narcotics, wildlife, and natural resources.

Prior to joining the Biden Administration, Mr. Yoder served as a Senior Professional Staff Member for the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC). During his decade of service with SFRC, he led the Committee’s efforts related to global counternarcotics and law enforcement issues, international economic policy and multilateral development banks, and the Western Hemisphere. Brandon drafted and led negotiations on multiple bipartisan laws to combat illicit fentanyl trafficking and direct U.S. policy towards Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Previously, he served as an officer at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), where he managed programs to advance democratic governance, human rights, and political participation. Mr. Yoder started his career in the State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

A native of Pennsylvania, Brandon holds a M.A. from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University. In 2022, he was decorated by the presidents of Colombia and Ecuador for his efforts to strengthen U.S. diplomatic relations with both countries. In 2023, Brandon was recognized by The Hill as on the “The 25 Staffers Who Make Capitol Hill Run.”