Fred Kempe
Fred Kempe is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Council, a leading foreign policy think tank and public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, the Council has achieved unprecedented growth in size, global influence, and strategic impact, establishing itself as one of the world’s foremost institutions shaping international affairs and transatlantic relations. Before joining the Atlantic Council, Kempe spent nearly three decades at The Wall Street Journal, where he earned a reputation as a prize-winning journalist, editor, and columnist. During his distinguished career, he served in several senior leadership roles, including Assistant Managing Editor, International, and Columnist for The Wall Street Journal New York. Kempe also made history as the longest-serving Editor and Associate Publisher of The Wall Street Journal Europe, overseeing the Journal’s editorial operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His leadership and reporting earned him both national and international recognition, particularly for his coverage of geopolitics, economics, and global business.
Fred Kempe Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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President and CEO
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Managing Editor
Academic History
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Master's Degree
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Bachelor's Degree
THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL
Under Fred Kempe’s leadership, the Atlantic Council has undergone historic growth in global influence, size, and strategic reach, becoming one of the most dynamic and respected foreign policy think tanks in the world.
The Council has expanded its operations through a network of regional centers and global programs focused on critical issues shaping the 21st century, including international security, energy policy, global trade, innovation, climate resilience, and next-generation leadership.
Kempe is also the author of the Atlantic Council’s “Inflection Points” newsletter, a widely read weekly publication providing sharp analysis of geopolitical shifts, U.S. foreign policy, and global challenges facing democracies today.
In recognition of his contributions to international relations and transatlantic cooperation, Kempe has been decorated by the Presidents of Poland and Germany, as well as by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden — underscoring his global impact and leadership in diplomacy and policy dialogue.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Before joining the Atlantic Council, Fred Kempe built a distinguished, award-winning career at The Wall Street Journal, where he worked for nearly 30 years in senior editorial and reportorial positions across the U.S. and Europe.
He served as Roving Correspondent based in London, Vienna Bureau Chief covering Eastern Europe and East-West affairs, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent in Washington, D.C., and the Journal's first Berlin Bureau Chief, following the unification of Germany and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
His reporting and editorial leadership earned him international recognition for excellence in global affairs journalism and helped shape public understanding of pivotal world events.
RECOGNITIONS
2014 University of Utah’s Distinguished Alumnus Award
2002 The European Voice's 50 Most Influential Europeans
Columbia Graduate School of Journalism’s Top Alumni Achievement Award