Jake Hamstra is the Director of PROJECT Governance. Jake previously served as Chief Communications Officer, and Special Advisor to the President, with a particular emphasis on strategic communications and Pacific Islands programs.

Before joining the East-West Center, Jake was Senior Policy Advisor at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade office in Honolulu where he led engagement with the Compact States and analysis on regional economic, political, and defense/security issues. Jake spent a decade in Hong Kong as Asia Editor/Economist with The Economist Intelligence Unit, including several years as lead analyst for the Mekong region. Jake has lived in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, China, and Hong Kong. He holds an MA in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University), an MA in Political Philosophy from Georgia State University, and a BA (Hons) in History and Philosophy from Calvin College.