The MIT Center for International Studies (CIS) is honored to announce that Marcos Troyjo and Ambassador Richard M Mills Jr have been selected as Robert E Wilhelm Fellows for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Marcos Troyjo is an economist, political scientist and diplomat whose career spans multilateral institutions, government, business, academia and international economic policy. He served as Brazil’s deputy economy minister and special secretary for foreign trade and international affairs, where he was one of the leading negotiators of the European Union-Mercosur Agreement. Troyjo also served as president of the New Development Bank (NDB), becoming the first Westerner to lead a multilateral organization headquartered in Asia.
A global adviser to the European Investment Bank, Troyjo serves on the management or advisory boards of Inditex, Minerva Foods, União Química, Bosch, Global Neighbours and the UN Foundation. He co-founded and co-directed the BRICLab at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where he taught international affairs and political economy. He is a distinguished fellow at INSEAD, a global leadership fellow at Cornell University and a former transformational leadership fellow at the University of Oxford.
He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in international relations from the University of São Paulo, completed postdoctoral studies at Columbia University, and has authored several books on development, technology and global affairs.
“At a time when economics, technology, security, and geopolitics are becoming increasingly intertwined, there is no better place than MIT to explore the forces shaping the future of nations, markets, and societies,” said Troyjo.
Ambassador Richard M Mills Jr is a veteran US diplomat who served as US ambassador to Nigeria from 2024 to 2026. Previously, he served as US ambassador to Armenia and as US deputy permanent representative to the United Nations with ambassadorial rank. Mills joined the US Foreign Service in 1988 and retired in April 2026 after a career spanning senior diplomatic assignments and policy roles.
His previous positions included Senior Democracy Adviser at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Energy Attaché at the US Embassy in Riyadh and a member of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s executive staff. His senior overseas assignments included Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the US Mission to Canada, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Valletta, Malta.
Mills earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law and a master’s degree in national security policy from National Defense University. During his diplomatic career, he received nine Superior Honor Awards from the US Department of State.
Reflecting on his time at MIT, Mills said he aims “to contribute to the necessary public debate on reform of global multilateral institutions, the US government’s soft power tools, and the US foreign service, all of which were created in the very different world of 75 years ago.”
Reflecting on his time at MIT, Mills said he aims “to contribute to the necessary public debate on reform of global multilateral institutions, US development aid, and migration frameworks, all of which were created in the very different world of 75 years ago.”
Evan Lieberman, director of CIS and Total Professor of Political Science and Contemporary Africa, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Troyjo and Mills to MIT, highlighting the value of bringing experienced leaders in international economics and diplomacy into conversation with the Institute’s scholars and students.
“We are delighted to have Marcos Troyjo and Ambassador Richard Mills with us at MIT and to engage with them on the complex international challenges shaping our world. Their experience across economic policy, multilateral institutions and diplomacy will provide valuable opportunities for our students and faculty to learn from their deep expertise in global affairs,” said Lieberman.
The Robert E Wilhelm Fellows Program, supported by a generous gift from MIT alumnus Robert E Wilhelm ’62, is the Center’s most prestigious fellowship. Since its inception in 2004, the program has brought esteemed leaders to campus, including heads of international nongovernmental organizations, national security advisers, U.S. military leaders, senior diplomats and retired cabinet ministers.
The MIT Center for International Studies (CIS) advances research, education, and engagement in international affairs while serving as a hub for global partnerships. Home to more than 20 regional programs; MISTI, MIT’s international experiential learning program; the Security Studies Program, a leader in security research and education; and the Starr Forum, CIS brings together faculty, students, and practitioners to generate insights that contribute to a safer, more prosperous world.
