WASHINGTON, DC — Nonprofit watchdog American Oversight today announced that Chioma Chukwu has joined the organization as Deputy Executive Director. Chukwu brings more than a decade of experience in litigation, staff management, and congressional investigations.

Chukwu joins American Oversight as the organization continues to expand its investigations of threats to democracy and individual rights, having in recent months brought several high-profile lawsuits to enforce the public’s right to documents related to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attacks on education, white supremacy in the U.S. armed forces, and the conspiracy-fueled push to weaken a bipartisan election administration tool.

“I’m truly excited to join an organization with a tenacious commitment to advancing the truth through transparency and using public records to hold our government to account,” Chukwu said. “American Oversight is an indispensable force in the fight to protect our democracy, and I’m looking forward to working with a team with unmatched expertise and vision.”

Chukwu comes to American Oversight after having served on the senior management team of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability since 2019, where as General Counsel she coordinated and advanced the committee’s oversight and investigative agenda and developed and implemented internal management policies and practices. Prior to becoming General Counsel, she served as a senior adviser to the late Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, who chaired the committee.

Previously, Chukwu was a trial attorney at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she litigated individual and systemic class actions involving violations of anti-discrimination laws. Prior to her time at the EEOC, Chukwu was staff counsel for the California Civil Rights Department, the largest civil rights agency in the United States, and worked in the San Francisco office of Sanford Heisler LLP, a national public interest law firm.

“We’re thrilled to have Chioma join us,” said American Oversight Executive Director Heather Sawyer. “Chioma’s strategic vision and experience in litigation, management, and investigations will be an outstanding addition to American Oversight’s talented team as we continue to fight for democracy by enforcing the public’s right to know what our government is doing.”