Steven Griner graduated from Texas A&M University with degrees in Modern Languages and Business Administration. After graduation until 1989, he worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala in Appropriate Technology. Upon his return from Guatemala, Mr. Griner studied at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies where he earned his Masters Degree in Latin American Studies and International Economics.

From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Griner worked at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), a nongovernmental organization that provides assistance to democratic institutions throughout the world through election observation, training seminars and civic education campaigns. He joined the OAS Unit for the Promotion of Democracy in 1993. As a Senior Specialist at the Unit, Mr. Griner has observed more than 20 elections in Latin America and the Caribbean, serves as the Coordinator of the Special Program of Support to Guatemala and currently manages the OAS Interamerican Forum on Political Parties.