Deniece L.

About Deniece L.

Deniece Laurent-Mantey is a Senior Foreign Affairs Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs. She most recently served as the inaugural Executive Director of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE) and as Director for Africa at the White House National Security Council (NSC).As Director for Africa at the NSC, Deniece played a pivotal role in advancing U.S-Africa relations, leading efforts that helped secure $15 billion in private sector commitments to support U.S-Africa trade and investment opportunities during the 2022 U.S-Africa Leaders Summit. She was a key policy architect behind several initiatives launched during the summit, including Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA), and was instrumental in shaping legislation to institutionalize the U.S-Africa Leaders Summit.A career diplomat with over 15 years of experience at the U.S. Department of State, Deniece has served in various leadership roles, including as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, Acting Deputy Director in the Bureau of African Affairs, and Special Assistant to two Secretaries of State. She also held positions in the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.Deniece is a recipient of five Department of State Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Honor Awards for her outstanding contributions to diplomacy and policy. She holds an M.A. in African Studies and Public Policy from Howard University and a B.A. in International Relations from Syracuse University.She is married to Rev. Henry Laurent-Mantey, and also serves as an ordained Pastor at Royalhouse Chapel, Washington DC. They are the proud parents of five children. Deniece is the convenor of Crown & Overflow Women’s Retreat, a transformative experience designed to empower, equip, and spiritually refresh women in purpose, leadership, and prayer.

Experience

1. Senior Foreign Affairs Officer

   U.S. Department Of State

   Jan 2025 — Present

   Senior Foreign Affairs Officer — Office of Commercial and Economic Affairs, U.S- Africa Leaders Summit.

Education

• Syracuse University

  International relations

• Howard University

  Master of Arts (MA), African Studies

  2009 — 2011