Luke Zahner is a senior fellow with the National Security and International Policy Department at American Progress, where his work focuses on trans-Atlantic relations, international development, and the geopolitical dynamics between Ukraine and Russia.
Zahner served for more than 20 years as a U.S. Foreign Service officer with the Department of State, with assignments across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including North Macedonia, Serbia, Iraq, Madagascar, and Bangladesh. His career has centered on post-conflict reconstruction, institutional strengthening, and economic recovery in fragile and conflict-affected environments.
Most recently, Zahner served as a senior adviser to the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery, where he worked closely with international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s recovery architecture. He previously served on loan to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation as a senior foreign policy adviser, advancing interagency coordination on U.S. assistance in Europe and Asia and supporting technical assistance initiatives aligned with Ukraine’s recovery and infrastructure priorities.
Zahner has extensive experience in the Balkans, having spent seven years with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, including on its first postwar mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the design of its mission in Kosovo. His final overseas assignment with the State Department was as counselor for public affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia.
In addition to his role at American Progress, Zahner serves as a senior adviser with Binda Consulting International and as a consultant on several Ukraine-related projects. He holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, an MBA from The George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree from American University.