A California native, Danilovich earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University and a master’s in international relations from the University of Southern California (London campus). He was a private investor and businessman, active in international shipping for more than two decades, and has worked as company director in the shipping, property, publishing and investment fields. From 1991 to 1996 he served on the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Commission, and chaired its Transition Committee prior to the transfer of the Panama Canal. He is also a U.S. diplomat, having served as American Ambassador to Costa Rica and to Brazil. Danilovich was appointed CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation in November 2005 and served until the summer of 2009. A longtime resident of London, Danilovich served as UK chairman of Republicans Abroad and European regional chairman of the same. Danilovich and his immediate family made $21,425 in contributions to Republican candidates and party committees prior to his appointment as ambassador to Costa Rica but have not made any donations since.