Deniece Laurent-Mantey, a diplomat by profession is also the Co-founder of the Vessels Network. An organization in Washington, DC committed to promoting spiritual development and community transformation. She is passionate about empowering young women as followers of Jesus, and is the leader of The Her Pearls Initiative—designed to empower female leaders to make an impact in their world and the Kingdom of God.

As a career diplomat she also serves as a member of the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff. In that role, she is a source of independent policy analysis and advice for the Secretary of State. Undertaking strategic recommendations of U.S.-Africa policy planning and formulation. Prior to that, she was the Acting Deputy Director in the Bureau of African Affairs, Office of West Africa. She also served as a Special Assistant to Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton where she was responsible for advancing and traveling with the Secretary on official trips — domestic and international.

Mrs. Laurent-Mantey, a native of the Bronx, New York earned her B.A. degree in International Relations from Syracuse University- Maxwell School and her M.A. in African Studies and Public Policy from Howard University. She is married to a Pastor, Henry Laurent-Mantey and together they have two sons.