Thomas Debass currently serves as Chief Partnerships Officer at the U.S. Department of State. Thomas leads the Department’s private sector engagement efforts and provides thought leadership on partnerships related to economic growth, global finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Thomas has played a leading role in promoting and institutionalizing the role of public-private partnerships as a tool for advancing foreign policy and development objectives. Thomas is also an adjunct professor at George Washington University teaching graduate courses in strategic foresight, startups, and strategy. 

Prior to joining the State Department, he was Lead Economist with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC - now renamed Development Finance Corporation) and a senior technical advisor with US Agency for International Development (USAID). Thomas is a graduate of Virginia Tech with MA in Applied Economics and BA in Economics. He also has an Executive Certificate in International Business Management from Georgetown, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from UC-Berkeley. Thomas is also a certified foresight practitioner.   Thomas is a 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals Finalist and a recipient of the 2016 D&DA Wood Pencil Award for Innovative Use of Mobile Technology.