WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 20, 2025) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) today announced the appointment of Michael Svetlik as its new chief operating officer (COO).
Svetlik brings over 25 years of experience in non-profit management, playing a key role in leading organizational growth, program innovation, business development and building bilateral and multilateral partnerships. He previously was the COO of the Halifax International Security Forum and vice president of programs for the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES).
“Michael is an organizational leader with the institutional knowledge to guide the McCain Institute as we continue to mature as an organization and grow the impact of our work to advance Senator McCain’s legacy on human rights and freedom,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas. “Throughout his career, Michael has worked to advance democracy, build coalitions, and optimize impact and efficiency—we are excited to have him join our team.”
“I am thrilled to join the McCain Institute and support its vision of a world that is free, safe and just for all people. It is an honor to join an organization that builds on the legacy of Senator John McCain and his life of service and leadership to defend democracy, advance human rights, and empower character-driven leaders. I look forward to working with the McCain Institute’s dynamic and talented team, as well as with our committed partners at Arizona State University, to further the Senator McCain’s drive to turn ideas into action and action into impact,” said McCain Institute COO Michael Svetlik.
To view Michael Svetlik’s full biography, click HERE or continue reading below.
Michael Svetlik Biography:
Michael Svetlik serves as the McCain Institute’s chief operating officer (COO), leading the operational, financial and personnel portfolios of the McCain Institute. In this role, he ensures operational effectiveness and efficiency to achieve organizational objectives and enable lasting impact.
Svetlik has over 25 years of experience in non-profit management, playing a key role in leading organizational growth, program innovation, business development and building bilateral and multilateral partnerships. He has led diverse and geographically dispersed teams, navigated challenging environments to ensure continued impact and developed strategies to achieve operational and financial sustainability.
Before joining the McCain Institute, Svetlik served as Chief Operating Officer at the Halifax International Security Forum where he was responsible for providing leadership and oversight of organizational and program support budgets, and establishing increased operational efficiency through planning, performance metrics and resource allocation.
Svetlik has extensive international development experience, including serving for 13 years as the Vice President of Programs for the International Foundation of Electoral Systems, overseeing democracy support programs in over 50 countries. Prior to serving in this global role, he was the Foundation’s regional director of Europe and Asia, and project manager of Tbilisi, Georgia, and Baku, Azerbaijan. In addition, he served as an instructor at the National School of Public Administration (Warsaw) and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Poland from during its early transition to democracy.
Svetlik earned a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin.
About the McCain Institute at Arizona State University
The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs defend democracy, advance human rights and freedom, and empower character-driven leaders. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.