# Wally Adeyemo

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American attorney (born 1981)

Wally Adeyemo Official portrait, 2021 15th United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury In office March 26, 2021 – January 20, 2025 President Joe Biden Preceded by Justin Muzinich Succeeded by Michael Faulkender President of the Obama Foundation In office August 1, 2019 – March 25, 2021 Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Valerie Jarrett United States Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics In office 2015–2016 President Barack Obama Preceded by Caroline Atkinson Succeeded by Daleep Singh (2021) Personal details Born Adewale Adeyemo (1981-05-20) May 20, 1981 (age 45) Ibadan, Nigeria Party Democratic Education University of California, Berkeley (BA) Yale University (JD)

**Adewale O.** "**Wally**" **Adeyemo** [Listen](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/8/81/LL-Q34311_%28yor%29-Tunmise123-Adewale_Adeyemo.wav/LL-Q34311_%28yor%29-Tunmise123-Adewale_Adeyemo.wav.mp3)[ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LL-Q34311_(yor)-Tunmise123-Adewale_Adeyemo.wav)(born May 20, 1981) is an American attorney and political advisor. He served as the [United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury](/source/United_States_Deputy_Secretary_of_the_Treasury) during the [Presidency of Joe Biden](/source/Presidency_of_Joe_Biden).[1] He was the first president of the [Obama Foundation](/source/Obama_Foundation) and served during the [Obama administration](/source/Presidency_of_Barack_Obama) as the [deputy national security advisor](/source/Deputy_National_Security_Advisor_(United_States)) for [international economics](/source/International_economics) from 2015 to 2016 and deputy director of the [National Economic Council](/source/National_Economic_Council_(United_States)).[2][3]

## Early life and education

Adeyemo was born to [Yoruba](/source/Yoruba_people) parents in [Ibadan](/source/Ibadan), Nigeria, and raised in [Southern California](/source/Southern_California).[3][4][5] His father was a teacher and his mother was a nurse. He has two younger siblings.[6] After graduating from [Eisenhower High School](/source/Eisenhower_High_School_(Rialto%2C_California)) in [Rialto, California](/source/Rialto%2C_California), in 1999,[7] he received a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree from the [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley), in 2004 and a [Juris Doctor](/source/Juris_Doctor) degree from [Yale Law School](/source/Yale_Law_School) in 2009.[3][8]

## Early career

Adeyemo served as the director of African American outreach for the [John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign](/source/John_Kerry_2004_presidential_campaign) in California and was based in the [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) office.[9]

Prior to joining the [Obama administration](/source/Presidency_of_Barack_Obama), Adeyemo worked as an editor at the [Hamilton Project](/source/Hamilton_Project). Adeyemo then served as senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to [Jack Lew](/source/Jack_Lew) in the [United States Department of the Treasury](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Treasury).[10] Adeyemo later worked as a [negotiator](/source/Negotiation) on the [Trans-Pacific Partnership](/source/Trans-Pacific_Partnership). He also served as the first chief of staff of the [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau](/source/Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau) under [Elizabeth Warren](/source/Elizabeth_Warren).

## Later career

### Obama administration (2014–2016)

In November 2014, Adeyemo was nominated to be [Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Markets](/source/Assistant_Secretary_of_the_Treasury_for_International_Markets)[11] at the same time that the incumbent assistant Secretary, [Marisa Lago](/source/Marisa_Lago), was nominated to be a [Deputy United States Trade representative](/source/Office_of_the_United_States_Trade_Representative).[12] He appeared before the [Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs](/source/United_States_Senate_Committee_on_Banking%2C_Housing%2C_and_Urban_Affairs) in September 2015,[13] but the committee did not advance his nomination to the full Senate. The nomination was withdrawn by President Obama in December 2015.[14]

Adeyemo was instead selected to concurrently serve as [Deputy National Security Advisor](/source/Deputy_National_Security_Advisor_(United_States)) for International Economics and deputy director of the [National Economic Council](/source/National_Economic_Council_(United_States)) in 2015, serving until 2016. During his tenure, he was the president's representative to the [G7](/source/Group_of_Seven) and [G20](/source/G20) and held several senior management positions at the Department of the Treasury, including senior adviser and deputy chief of staff, and chief negotiator for the [Trans-Pacific Partnership](/source/Trans-Pacific_Partnership)’s provisions on macroeconomic policy.[2]

### Out of government

Adeyemo worked at [BlackRock](/source/BlackRock) for two years from 2017, serving as a senior advisor, having previously been interim chief of staff for the firm's CEO, [Laurence D. Fink](/source/Laurence_D._Fink).[15][16]

On August 1, 2019, Adeyemo was selected as the first president of the [Obama Foundation](/source/Obama_Foundation).[17]

In January 13, 2025, Bloomberg reported that Adeyemo was joining [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University) as a fellow at the [School of International and Public Affairs](/source/School_of_International_and_Public_Affairs) and the [Center on Global Energy Policy](/source/Center_on_Global_Energy_Policy).[18]

### Biden administration

#### Nomination to Treasury

In November 2020, it was announced that Adeyemo would be nominated to serve as [United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury](/source/United_States_Deputy_Secretary_of_the_Treasury) in the [Biden administration](/source/Biden_administration).[19][20] On January 20, 2021, his nomination was submitted to the [Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) for confirmation.[21] A hearing before the [Senate Committee on Finance](/source/United_States_Senate_Committee_on_Finance) was held on February 23, 2021; his nomination was reported out of committee by [voice vote](/source/Voice_vote) on March 3.[22][23] On March 25, 2021, he was confirmed by the Senate, also by voice vote.[21]

#### Tenure

On March 26, 2021, he was sworn into office by Secretary [Janet Yellen](/source/Janet_Yellen).[24] Deputy Secretary Adeyemo has been heavily involved in [sanctions enforcement in 2022](/source/List_of_people_and_organizations_sanctioned_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War), visiting[25] and speaking with[26] foreign regulators to encourage their cooperation.

On June 2, 2024, Adeyemo wrote an article for the *[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times)* headlined "We need to put sand in the gears of the Russian war machine", in the context of the [2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine](/source/2022_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine).[27]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Obama Foundation Announces Wally Adeyemo as President"](https://www.obama.org/updates/obama-foundation-announces-president/). *Obama Foundation*. Retrieved December 2, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) ["Adewale Adeyemo: President of Obama Foundation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210707031558/https://leadership.ng/adewale-adeyemo-president-of-obama-foundation/). *[Leadership](/source/Leadership_(newspaper))*. August 11, 2019. Archived from [the original](https://leadership.ng/adewale-adeyemo-president-of-obama-foundation/) on July 7, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_3-2) [*Hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs*](https://archive.org/download/gov.gpo.fdsys.CHRG-114shrg98386/CHRG-114shrg98386.pdf) (PDF). U.S. Senate. p. 19. Retrieved January 23, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Commencement speaker Wally Adeyemo followed a remarkable road to leadership"](https://news.berkeley.edu/2021/04/15/commencement-speaker-wally-adeyemo-followed-a-remarkable-road-to-leadership/). April 15, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Obama Appoints 34 Years Old Adewale Adeyemo As Deputy National Security Advisor"](https://nairametrics.com/2015/12/16/obama-appoints-34-years-old-adewale-adeyemo-as-deputy-national-security-advisor/). *Nairametrics*. December 16, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Rappeport, Alan (December 1, 2020). ["Biden Pick for Treasury's No. 2, a Moderate Voice, Breaks Racial Barrier"](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/01/us/politics/treasury-Adewale-Adeyemo.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved December 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Notable Eagles"](https://kec.rialto.k12.ca.us/domain/1169). *Eisenhower High School*. Retrieved December 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Rachlin, Jill. ["Wally Adeyemo"](https://www.lawandsecurity.org/mission/team/wally-adeyemo/). *Reiss Center on Law and Security*. Retrieved June 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["John Kerry-California Campaign Organization"](http://p2004.org/kerry/kerrorgca.html). *p2004.org*. Retrieved June 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Ayemoba, Andrea (December 17, 2015). ["Obama appoints 34-yr-old Nigerian, Adewale Adeyemo as deputy NSA"](https://africabusinesscommunities.com/news/obama-appoints-34-yr-old-nigerian-adewale-adeyemo-as-deputy-nsa.html). *Africa Business Communities*. Retrieved June 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["PN2119 — Adewale Adeyemo — Department of the Treasury"](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/113th-congress/2119). *U.S. Congress*. December 17, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["PN2121 — Marisa Lago — Executive Office of the President"](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/113th-congress/2121). *U.S. Congress*. December 17, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Statement By Adewale O. Adeyemo, Nominee For Assistant Secretary For International Markets And Development, Before The Senate Committee On Banking, Housing, And Urban Affairs"](https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0189.aspx). *[U.S. Department of the Treasury](/source/U.S._Department_of_the_Treasury)*. Retrieved January 23, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["PN86 — Adewale Adeyemo — Department of the Treasury"](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/114th-congress/86). *U.S. Congress*. December 18, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Yeganeh Torbati (January 2, 2021). ["Two Biden aides will recuse on BlackRock issues as past ties pose questions"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/02/blackrock-biden/). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. Washington, D.C. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0190-8286](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1330888409](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1330888409).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["ABANA | Event Speakers | Wally Adeyemo"](https://www.abana.co/event/speakers/wally-adeyemo/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Obama Foundation Announces Wally Adeyemo as President"](https://www.obama.org/updates/obama-foundation-announces-president/). *[Obama Foundation](/source/Obama_Foundation)*. Retrieved June 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Treasury's Adeyemo Heads to Columbia With Energy-Sanctions Focus"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-13/treasury-s-adeyemo-heads-to-columbia-with-energy-sanctions-focus). *Bloomberg.com*. January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Biden unveils diverse economic team as challenges to economy grow"](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/29/biden-economic-transition-team-441227). *[POLITICO](/source/POLITICO)*. November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Davidson, Ken Thomas and Kate (November 29, 2020). ["WSJ News Exclusive | Biden to Name Rouse, Tanden to Economic Team"](https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-to-name-rouse-tanden-to-economic-team-11606684256). *Wall Street Journal*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0099-9660](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0099-9660). Retrieved November 30, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DepNom_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DepNom_21-1) ["PN79-1 — Adewale O. Adeyemo — Department of the Treasury"](https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/79/1). *U.S. Congress*. Retrieved February 22, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Hearing to Consider the Nomination of Adewale O. Adeyemo, of California, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury"](https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/hearing-to-consider-the-nomination-of-adewale-o-adeyemo-of-california-to-be-deputy-secretary-of-the-treasury). *U.S. Senate*. Retrieved February 22, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Trade, Treasury nominees advanced by Senate Finance"](https://www.rollcall.com/2021/03/03/trade-treasury-nominees-advanced-by-senate-finance/). Roll Call. March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Swearing In of Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo"](https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/swearing-in-of-deputy-secretary-wally-adeyemo). *home.treasury.gov*. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-READOUT_25-0)** ["READOUT: Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo's Visit to Turkey"](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0834). *[U.S. Department of the Treasury](/source/U.S._Department_of_the_Treasury)*. June 25, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-READOUT-meeting_26-0)** ["READOUT: Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo's Meeting with Deputy Finance Minister of Türkiye Yunus Elitas"](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0926). *[U.S. Department of the Treasury](/source/U.S._Department_of_the_Treasury)*. August 20, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ft1_27-0)** ["We need to put sand in the gears of the Russian war machine"](https://www.ft.com/content/10b45e02-7580-449c-8b70-a5cf2b7d808d).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Wally Adeyemo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wally_Adeyemo).

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?104488) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

Non-profit organization positions New office President of the Obama Foundation 2019–2021 Succeeded by Valerie Jarrett Acting Political offices Preceded by Justin Muzinich United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury 2021–2025 Succeeded by Michael Faulkender

v t e Barack Obama's Executive Office of the President Office Name Term Office Name Term White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel 2009–10 National Security Advisor James L. Jones 2009–10 Pete Rouse 2010–11 Thomas E. Donilon 2010–13 William M. Daley 2011–12 Susan Rice 2013–17 Jack Lew 2012–13 Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas E. Donilon 2009–10 Denis McDonough 2013–17 Denis McDonough 2010–13 White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Mona Sutphen 2009–11 Antony Blinken 2013–14 Nancy-Ann DeParle 2011–13 Avril Haines 2015–17 Rob Nabors 2013–15 Dep. National Security Advisor, Homeland Security John O. Brennan 2009–13 White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Jim Messina 2009–11 Lisa Monaco 2013–17 Alyssa Mastromonaco 2011–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Iraq and Afghanistan Douglas Lute† 2009–13 Anita Decker Breckenridge 2014–17 Dep. National Security Advisor, Strategic Comm. Ben Rhodes 2009–17 White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning Mark B. Childress 2012–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff Mark Lippert 2009 Kristie Canegallo 2014–17 Denis McDonough 2009–10 Counselor to the President Pete Rouse 2011–13 Brooke D. Anderson 2011–12 John Podesta 2014–15 White House Communications Director Ellen Moran 2009 Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod 2009–11 Anita Dunn 2009 David Plouffe 2011–13 Dan Pfeiffer 2009–13 Dan Pfeiffer 2013–15 Jennifer Palmieri 2013–15 Shailagh Murray 2015–17 Jen Psaki 2015–17 Senior Advisor to the President Pete Rouse 2009–10 Deputy White House Communications Director Jen Psaki 2009–11 Brian Deese 2015–17 Jennifer Palmieri 2011–14 Senior Advisor to the President and Valerie Jarrett 2009–17 Amy Brundage 2014–16 Assistant to the President for Liz Allen 2016–17 Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs 2009–11 Director, Public Engagement Tina Tchen 2009–11 Jay Carney 2011–13 Jon Carson 2011–13 Josh Earnest 2013–17 Paulette L. Aniskoff 2013–17 Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton 2009–11 Director, Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz 2009–12 Josh Earnest 2011–13 David Agnew 2012–14 Eric Schultz 2014–17 Jerry Abramson 2014–17 Director of Special Projects Stephanie Cutter 2010–11 Director, National Economic Council Lawrence Summers 2009–10 Director, Speechwriting Jon Favreau 2009–13 Gene Sperling 2011–14 Cody Keenan 2013–17 Jeff Zients 2014–17 Director, Digital Strategy Macon Phillips 2009–13 Chair, Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer 2009–10 Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman 2015–17 Austan Goolsbee 2010–13 Director, Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro 2009–11 Jason Furman 2013–17 Rob Nabors 2011–13 Chair, Economic Recovery Advisory Board Paul Volcker 2009–11 Katie Beirne Fallon 2013–16 Chair, Council on Jobs and Competitiveness Jeff Immelt 2011–13 Miguel Rodriguez 2016 Director, Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes 2009–12 Amy Rosenbaum 2016–17 Cecilia Muñoz 2012–17 Director, Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard 2009–11 Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Joshua DuBois 2009–13 David Simas 2011–16 Melissa Rogers 2013–17 Director, Presidential Personnel Nancy Hogan 2009–13 Director, Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle 2009–11 Johnathan D. McBride 2013–14 Director, Office of National AIDS Policy Jeffrey Crowley 2009–11 Valerie E. Green 2014–15 Grant N. Colfax 2011–13 Rodin A. Mehrbani 2016–17 Douglas M. Brooks 2013–17 White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown 2009–11 Director, Office of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrión Jr. 2009–10 Rajesh De 2011–12 Racquel S. Russell 2010–14 Douglas Kramer 2012–13 Roy Austin Jr. 2014–17 Joani Walsh 2014–17 Director, Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner 2009–11 Director, Management and Administration Bradley J. Kiley 2009–11 White House Counsel Greg Craig 2009–10 Katy A. Kale 2011–15 Bob Bauer 2010–11 Maju Varghese 2015–17 Kathryn Ruemmler 2011–14 Director, Scheduling and Advance Alyssa Mastromonaco 2009–11 Neil Eggleston 2014–17 Danielle Crutchfield 2011–14 White House Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu 2009–13 Chase Cushman 2014–17 Danielle C. Gray 2013–14 Director, White House Information Technology David Recordon 2015–17 Broderick D. Johnson 2014–17 Director, Office of Administration Cameron Moody 2009–11 Personal Aide to the President Reggie Love 2009–11 Beth Jones 2011–15 Brian Mosteller 2011–12 Cathy Solomon 2015–17 Marvin D. Nicholson 2012–17 Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren 2009–17 Director, Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller 2012–17 Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra 2009–12 Personal Secretary to the President Katie Johnson 2009–11 Todd Park 2012–14 Anita Decker Breckenridge 2011–14 Megan Smith 2014–17 Ferial Govashiri 2014–17 Director, Office of Management and Budget Peter R. Orszag 2009–10 Chief of Staff to the First Lady Jackie Norris 2009 Jack Lew 2010–12 Susan Sher 2009–11 Jeff Zients 2012–13 Tina Tchen 2011–17 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013–14 White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers 2009–10 Brian Deese 2014 Julianna Smoot 2010–11 Shaun Donovan 2014–17 Jeremy Bernard 2011–15 Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra 2009–11 Deesha Dyer 2015–17 Steven VanRoekel 2011–14 Chief of Staff to the Vice President Ron Klain 2009–11 Tony Scott 2015–17 Bruce Reed 2011–13 United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk 2009–13 Steve Ricchetti 2013–17 Michael Froman 2013–17 White House Chief Usher Stephen W. Rochon† 2009–11 Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske 2009–14 Angella Reid 2011–17 Michael Botticelli 2014–17 Director, White House Military Office George Mulligan 2009–13 Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley 2009–14 Emmett Beliveau 2013–15 Michael Boots 2014–15 Dabney Kern 2016–17 Christy Goldfuss 2015–17 † Remained from previous administration.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wally Adeyemo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Adeyemo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Adeyemo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.