Richard Nephew

Sanctions Expert, Senior Research Scholar and Director of the International Security Initiative, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University

Topics: Crisis Management, Economy, World Affairs, Strategy, Thought Leadership, Business, Media, Professional Development

Request Availability
Add My List

Biography

Richard Nephew is the author of The Art of Sanctions and an expert on the use of sanctions for deterrence and impact. Nephew most recently served as the deputy special envoy for Iran in the Biden-Harris administration. He previously served as Principal Deputy Coordinator for Sanctions Policy at the Department of State and as the lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team negotiating with Iran during the Obama Administration. Nephew served as the Director for Iran on the National Security Staff where he was responsible for managing a period of intense expansion of U.S. sanctions on Iran. Earlier in his career he served in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the State Department and in the Office of Nonproliferation and International Security at the Department of Energy.

Nephew holds a Masters in Security Policy Studies and a Bachelors in International Affairs, both from The George Washington University.

Videos

Request Availability

Booksby Richard Nephew

The Art of Sanctions

For Meeting Planners

Photos

Request Availability

Blog Posts

Designing Events That Captivate and Convert Beyond Venue and Swag

Learn how intentional design—innovation, inclusion, and neuroscience—powers unforgettable event engagement and lasting impact.

Crafting Personalized Health & Self‑Care Practices with Johnny Crowder

Everywhere you turn, someone is talking about health and self‑care rituals. Keynote speaker Johnny Crowder shares why true self‑care is not one‑size‑fits‑all.

Elevate Your Event With These Skills: Insights from Gabriella Robuccio

Think event planning is all about checklists and timetables? Think again. Emmy‑winning strategist Gabriella Robuccio shares more on The Keynote Curators Podcast.

Celebrating Juneteenth with These Transformative Keynotes

Learn how intentional Juneteenth programming paired with transformative keynote speakers can turn commemoration into sustained equity and inclusion.

AI, GEO, & SEO Marketing for Speakers: The 2025 Authority-Building Playbook

How Professional Speakers and Speaker Bureaus Can Leverage AI to Build Unshakeable Authority and Increase Visibility in the New Search Landscape

Rethinking Events: Bite-Sized Surprises and Live Interaction with Seth Godin

Seth Godin shares his strategies and suggestions for unforgettable events—from riff-based teaching to co-creation through communication and creativity.