Executive Director, Office of International Affairs

India J. Pinkney is the Executive Director, Office of International Affairs. As Executive Director, Ms. Pinkney is responsible for advising and assisting the Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, International Affairs, and Environment in achieving U.S. international aviation objectives. Ms. Pinkney provides executive leadership and oversight in the development, implementation, and evaluation of program policies, goals, and objectives.

Previously, Ms. Pinkney held the position of General Counsel for the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), Ms. Pinkney was the head of the Office of General Counsel with agency-wide accountability for legal affairs and ethics compliance as the designated agency chief ethics and compliance officer. In this role, Ms. Pinkney provided legal counsel to the NEA chairman, presidentially appointed National Council on the Arts members, and senior management. 

From 2006 through 2011, Ms. Pinkney served as an attorney in the FAA’s Office of the Chief Counsel on the International Affairs and Legal Policy staff, where she negotiated international agreements. Working through highly complex issues, Ms. Pinkney effectively communicated with heads of civil aviation authorities, foreign ministries, and United States embassies to further U.S. aviation safety objectives. Ms. Pinkney traveled globally as part of technical assistance and international aviation safety assessment teams, her focus being civil aviation legislation and regulations. 

Ms. Pinkney holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Foreign Affairs & Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Virginia.