M. Nathaniel Barnes “Africa: Ghost of the Past; Demons of the Present; Vision for the Future” Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3:30 pm -- The Christopher J. Murphy Auditorium

M. Nathaniel Barnes,
Republic of Liberia Ambassador to the United States

Born in Monrovia, Liberia in 1954, M. Nathaniel Barnes has had a decorated career of accomplishment and service. He briefly studied at the University of Liberia and worked as an intern in Liberia's banking system before coming to the United States for higher education. He studied finance at Rider College, New Jersey (earning a Bachelor of Science degree) and went on to earn an MBA with a concentration in finance and banking from Pace University in 1979. That same year he returned to Liberia, where he worked with The Insurance Company of Africa in Monrovia, which he had previously worked with in both Philadelphia and Des Moines, Iowa.

In July 1980, Barnes and his wife left Liberia following a government coup d’état. The couple settled in Nashville, TN where Barnes got a job at a major telecommunications and network company as an analyst in the corporation’s treasury department. In 1998, following years of civil war, his dream of returning to his native home was realized. One year later he was appointed Minister of Finance, Republic of Liberia, and held that position until July 2002. In that capacity, he became the chief architect of Liberia’s fiscal program. In May 2006, Barnes was appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Republic of Liberia. He views this challenge as another opportunity to serve his country in its bid to reenter into the global community of nations while pursuing its strategic economic, social and political objectives.

In fall 2008 Barnes was appointed Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States. He visited Iona during United Nations Day festivities where he was a guest speaker.