[1] From April 6, 2009, to May 8, 2013, Verveer served as the first United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, a position established by President Barack Obama.

Previously, Verveer served as the chair and Co-CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, which she co-founded with Hillary Clinton in 2001.

[2] Vital Voices is a global NGO that supports emerging female leaders who are advancing economic, political and social progress in their societies.

[5] Prior to serving in the White House, she was executive director of People for the American Way, a progressive advocacy group,[6] where she was involved in the passage of civil rights legislation.

[15] She was instrumental in the adoption of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and led the effort to establish the President's Interagency Council on Women.

She helped to create the US government's Vital Voices Democracy Initiative to promote women's economic and political progress.

In her White House memoirs, Clinton notes, "A true policy wonk who loves the complexities and nuances of issues, Melanne had worked for years on Capitol Hill and in the advocacy world.

… She also became a key player on the president's team, advocating for policies affecting women, human rights, legal services, and the arts.

[17] She served as Ambassador from 2009 to 2013, working closely with Hillary Clinton to coordinate foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic and social advancement of women and girls, traveling to nearly 60 countries, including Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Verveer co-founded the international NGO, Vital Voices Global Partnership in 2001 to continue the work – begun by then-First Lady Hillary Clinton – to support emerging women leaders in building vibrant democracies and strong economies.

[24] Hillary Clinton addressed the Vital Voices annual awards gala at the Kennedy Center every year since its inception.