(Reuters) – The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced Monday that Heather Hurlburt has been named the new chief of staff for its trade agency. Hurlburt is a veteran international affairs specialist with New America’s left-leaning think-tank New America.

Hurlburt will replace Ginna Lance. She took the interim chief of staff position after Nora Todd left in February and joined the National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan staff.

Hurlburt was most recently the director of New Models of Policy Change at New America’s Political Reform Program. Her research focused on the interplay of domestic and international politics, with issues that range from climate change to nuclear security.

Her experience includes senior roles in conflict prevention, international affairs advocacy, and she was a former speechwriter to President Bill Clinton.

“Heather’s wealth of experience and top-notch management skills developed over an impressive career in and outside of government will help USTR navigate a wide range of challenges and develop sound solutions to some of the most difficult domestic economic and foreign policy issues we face,” U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.