Ms. Celeste Drake was appointed as the Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in August 2023. She is a seasoned policy advisor with extensive experience in labour, trade and economic policy.

 

Ms. Drake began her professional career as a high school economics and world history teacher before transitioning into key advisory roles within the U.S. government.

 

Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and top labour advisor to President Joseph R. Biden, where she played a pivotal role in shaping labour and industrial strategies. In this capacity, she spearheaded initiatives focused on infrastructure and clean energy investments, ensuring collaboration between public and private sectors to foster high-quality workforce training, including Registered Apprenticeships, and promote decent work in industries including manufacturing, clean energy, and construction.  Prior to this, Ms. Drake was appointed as President Biden’s first-ever Made in America Director, where she established and led an office within the Office of Management and Budget, working with employers and trade unions to implement infrastructure, industrial, and procurement policies.

 

Her previous roles include leading government affairs at the Directors' Guild of America and serving as the Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist at the AFL-CIO. At the AFL-CIO, Ms. Drake was instrumental in advocating for trade policy reforms to support inclusive growth and shared prosperity. She worked closely with governments, trade unions, and employers on major international trade initiatives, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

 

Additionally, Ms. Drake has significant experience on Capitol Hill, having worked with U.S. Representatives Linda Sánchez (California) and Lloyd Doggett (Texas), focusing on labour, trade, education, and health policy. Her career is distinguished by a strong commitment to advancing workers' rights and promoting equitable economic policies.

 

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Public Policy, and a law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).