Walter Kansteiner III is a U.S. foreign policy specialist and Chicago native with deep expertise in African affairs. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President George W. Bush, as well as Bush's personal representative to the G8 Africa Process. Under President Bill Clinton, he was a member of the Department of Defense Task Force on Strategic Minerals. Kansteiner also held the position of Director of African Affairs on the National Security Council and worked as an Africa specialist on the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff. His career reflects bipartisan involvement in U.S. national security and Africa policy, spanning multiple administrations and roles in strategic planning and diplomacy. He has engaged in public speaking, including an appearance at Washington and Lee University.