An informed public,
a strengthened democracy.
Today, American Oversight announced that after nearly two years as the organization’s Executive Director, Heather Sawyer will be leaving this month for a new opportunity. The organization’s Deputy Executive Director, Chioma Chukwu, will step into the role of Interim Executive Director. Chukwu, a highly respected civil rights lawyer and government transparency advocate, has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing American Oversight’s mission and strategic priorities over the last year and will build on that work in her new role.
“I am honored and excited to move into this new role at a time when our democracy needs defending the most,” said Interim Executive Director Chioma Chukwu. “I am deeply thankful to Heather for her steadfast leadership and commitment to American Oversight’s unique role in the pro-democracy ecosystem. I look forward to leading a team with unmatched public records expertise and advancing our key priorities alongside our partners.”
“I am proud of the American Oversight team and the work we’ve done to spotlight efforts to undermine democracy and to make sure the American people have access to the truth,” said Heather Sawyer, outgoing Executive Director of American Oversight. “It’s been my honor to work alongside Chioma this past year and I’m confident that American Oversight will continue to thrive under her leadership.”
“We are deeply grateful for Heather’s service and thrilled that Chioma is stepping into the Interim Executive Director role at this critical moment for our democracy,” said Dominique Bravo, American Oversight Board President. “We wish Heather success as she enters a new chapter of her career and look forward to working with Chioma to build on American Oversight’s critical work in the months ahead.”
About Chioma Chukwu
Chioma Chukwu joined American Oversight as Deputy Executive Director in July 2023 after serving on the senior management team of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where, as General Counsel, she coordinated and advanced the committee’s oversight and investigative agenda. 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 senior trial attorney at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she litigated individual and systemic actions involving violations of anti-discrimination employment 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.
Chukwu is transitioning into the Interim Executive Director role on the heels of several impactful lawsuits and robust oversight work, and as the organization expands its investigations into looming threats to our democracy.
A few examples from recent American Oversight work include: