USAID ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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 An Update – USAID Staff Financial Support Fund needs your support!   Links to donate to the fund or to apply for a grant are below. 

The good news is that through the generous support of donors the UAA fund has approved grants to more than 108 RIFed USAID staff. The number of people helped is much larger than that when family members are counted. The appreciation of those who have received grants has filled our email box. We continue to receive applications for grants and soon we will be unable to approve applications due to a shortage of funds. Amazingly we have received over $250,000 in donations, in amounts from $10 to $100,000, from 206 individuals, both UAA members and nonmembers. Many donors have given individual donations in the $1000 to $5000 range, and these, along with a few larger donations account for the majority of funds collected. Of course, all donations have contributed to the fund’s success to date by reaching so many people in need.

Here is one of many thank you notes we have received: “I just want to say thank you to UAA for what you are doing. This is a critical lifeline and my wife and I are so grateful for your support, and I am sure the same is true for so many other USAID families. Thank you for your rapid review and approval, and all the work that went into building this fund.”

As a reminder, the UAA is collecting contributions for a USAID staff financial support fund to help as many of the thousands of separated USAID staff as possible to weather the financial strains resulting from their abrupt termination. We are using contributions to fund a grant program to assist terminated staff who are facing unexpected immediate expenses such as temporary housing, medical costs, childcare/eldercare, job search and transportation. The UAA has partnered with the Greater Washington Community Foundation to provide low cost-efficient management services for the fund. Staff who were involuntarily separated or took early retirement from a USAID position after January 20, 2025, and who fall into one of the following employment categories are eligible to apply for a grant: GS, FS, FSL, USPSC, RSSA, PASA, AD, Schedule C, or Fellow position; or former FSN released from USAID-related employment after January 20, 2025 and with SIV residence in the USA for 1 year or less.

The UAA thanks you for your generous support!

CLICK HERE to donate to UAA’s fund.

CLICK HERE for grant application guidelines and application form.

Resource Directory for Involuntarily Separated USAID Staff (click here)

Note from the UAA Board, Nov. 17, 2025

A tremendous amount of work went into making this year’s AGM the success it was. On behalf of the new UAA Board, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the AGM Committee headed by Steve Wingert and Joy Riggs-Perla. Likewise, we are grateful to our generous host, the Center for Global Development, for their invaluable contributions. We are also deeply grateful to our panelists—and especially to our keynote speaker, Jim Kunder, whose insightful remarks helped set the tone for a thoughtful and engaging event.

We would also like to recognize our departing Board Members—Ken Yamashita, Roberta Mahoney, Denise Rollins, and Oren Whyche-Shaw —for their outstanding leadership during an extraordinary year.

The AGM raised important questions about the future of the UAA, including how we can strengthen membership, expand outreach, and build partnerships with both existing and new organizations.

We heard you.

This has been a year of exceptional challenges and change, and we recognize the need for decisive action. But we cannot do it alone—we need your continued participation and support. Please stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved in the weeks ahead.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped make this AGM such a success, and to the hundreds of members who joined us both in person and virtually.

USAID Knowledge Rescue

USAID’s legacy includes research, data, photos, human interest stories, and collective expertise accumulated over the last six decades of the Agency’s work. Recognizing the urgent need to locate, preserve, and share these resources, the UAA has teamed up with the AtA to collect materials to create a free, searchable database. Join our LinkedIn Group to stay up to date.

So far, we’ve collected 145,393 resources and received individual interview requests from 140 former staff. Share materials you want included in the database. You can also request materials with the same link. If you would like to be considered for an interview, please complete our expression of interest form, and we’ll contact you directly.

Our individual interviews will start in earnest in October, with up to 60 interviews per month.  We also are testing an approach to carrying out group discussions on specific approaches, methodologies and tools; the first two (Nature, and Power/Natural Resource Management; and Political Economy Analysis/Thinking Politically) will be piloted later in October, and others will be rolled out later in the year.

News About USAID

Unless otherwise stated, the links below are for information purposes only and do not convey the endorsement of the UAA, its members, or its Board.  See:

1) Bulletin Board, including Statements from UAA about Current Events

2) Articles

Please let us know if you have questions or ideas. We are eager to hear from you! A reminder that as an all-volunteer association, we need you to sign up for our various committees. Please see the UAA website committee’s page here to read more about what each committee has been up to. Also, a reminder to pay your annual dues for 2025. If you have already done so, thank you!

Calendar

New!  Saturday, December 13, 2025, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., UAA 2025 Friendsgiving at the Thompson Center, 6090 Kingstowne Village Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22315 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ciXm9MdJXUHksxGs8)  

UAA alumni are invited to bring their family or a guest to our first ever Friendsgiving. We are growing and want to keep our family close in these rather uncertain times. So, we look forward to a potluck event to catch up, network, share adventures and plans and fortify ourselves for the winter ahead. Bring your favorite family fall/winter holiday dish as you can. We will provide turkey and ham.  As you plan, please consider our vegan and vegetarian friends. Our space is limited to 90 so first come first in the door! Do bring your ideas for things that you’d like to see us do together in the future. This is a free event for UAA members. We also encourage you to bring or invite those eligible to become members.  Dress: Casual

Parking is available and the building is easily accessible. Closest Metro is Van Dorn Station or Franconia Springfield.

If you have already registered, please take note of the new location. You do NOT need to RSVP again! Date and time remain the same. Reservations are now closed due to the wonderful early response.

Rotary Club Peace Award to USAID

On September 24, thirty USAID California alumni received the Berkeley Rotary Peace Award. 175 Berkeley Rotarians honored USAID’s decades of global Peace efforts. UC Berkeley Chancellor Lyons and Berkeley Mayor Ishii commended USAID for its countless contributions in international development and humanitarian assistance, including critical research. A USAID Peace Tree was planted in Berkeley’s Tilden Park, alongside those for past recipients like Nelson Mandela.

On behalf of USAID, UAA’s Christine Sheckler, a UC Berkeley graduate, proudly received the Berkeley Rotary Peace Award certificate from Berkeley Rotary Organizer, Maxim Schrogin.

UAA Florida Regional Chapter welcomes former USAID staff to Florida

At a meeting of the Foreign Service Retiree Association (FSRA), soon to be renamed Foreign Service Alumni Association (FSAA) of Florida that took place in Delray Beach on Florida’s east coast on September 9th, 2025, many of the 35 participants, mostly from the southern half of the state were former employees of USAID, recently returning to live and work in Florida following the shutdown of our foreign assistance agency. The AFSA affiliated FSAA organization is in the process of changing from a state-wide group of about 400 retired Foreign Service Officers from the five foreign affairs agencies to an alumni association of professionals having worked in diplomacy and development under the auspices of the USG. In partnership with UAAs pioneering Florida Chapter, we are growing and adapting to the needs and preferences of a larger, younger and more diverse group of former federal employees. We hope to help each other and explain to our fellow Floridians why we need to be engaged on the world stage, how that benefits us at home and the benefits of continuing to lead as we have since the Second World War.

The Delray Beach event featured as its luncheon speaker former Ambassador Liliana Ayalde who first served with USAID before joining the State Department and has been a longtime supporter of FSRA and UAA. She spoke about the current unsettling and unprecedented changes to diplomacy and development to an audience who care deeply about both. The luncheon and smaller group meeting afterward were great opportunities to meet a number of new colleagues and reconnect with others who settled in Florida years ago. Each of our new colleagues has a somewhat different story to tell and some significant life and work adjustments to make now that they are returned to Florida and are no longer working for the USG. We look forward to including this large and growing group of colleagues in our social and professional networks, providing advice and information as needed, and sharing what we all have learned living and working abroad with our fellow Americans across the state of Florida with its own development challenges.

UAA Hosts the 2025 Annual Picnic Opening the Doors to All Former Staff and Families.

On September 6 UAA’s Annual Picnic was held at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria. It was a sunny warm afternoon as hundreds made their way to the pavilion.  Roughly 500 people streamed into the area spreading blankets and chairs under the trees and filling tables with an incredible array of dishes. We were ably supported by Daniel from the National Park Service and are grateful for his wonderful assistance throughout. A collection was made by a group of our colleagues of computers and phones to be donated to the World Computer Exchange which will benefit young people around the world. We also promoted the newly established Support Fund which has been launched to support our colleagues during their transitions.

With banners celebrating USAID Forever people renewed friendships, shared experiences and plans. The warmth and compassion far outweighed the overwhelming task in front of all. Conversations are planned to create a way forward for the Alumni Association that will lead into the Annual General Meeting in October. Hopefully, we will do that with the input of new members from diverse backgrounds and new ideas. Our congratulations and appreciation to the many people who contributed, planned and supported the day. The Social Committee, Karen Freeman, Margot Ellis, Denise Rollins, Melissa Williams, Sharon Pauling and Monika Gorzelanska, is grateful for the support of Cheryl Anderson, Beth Hogan, Carol Dabbs, David McCloud and Roberta Mahoney and Chris Milligan and so many others who pitched in to make the day such a welcoming and historic success for UAA.  Click here for a potpourri of picnic photos.

Annual “Development Wallahs” Picnic in Vermont

More than 40 former USAID employees gathered for a picnic in Rochester, Vermont on July 23.  The gathering included long-time retirees as well as those who were dismissed in the last few months as USAID was dissolved. In addition to many Vermonters, people came from Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut to renew friendships, celebrate USAID’s achievements and share information on efforts to assist those who were dismissed
without notice or support.

Vermont residents Ann and Mike Van Dusen, Anne Aarnes and David Sprague, Connie Carrino and Jeff Sharat, and Margaret Neuse co-hosted the picnic. At the request of the group, Susan Fine, UAA’s coordinator for New England, described UAA’s on-going programs and plans for future activities in the region. David McCloud explained UAA’s recently established grant program to assist staff facing medical, housing, and other immediate crises.  Roberta Mahoney also discussed UAA’s efforts to preserve vital information about USAID programs and achievements over the past 64 years and to help USAID’s staff navigate career
transitions.

This was the 18th year that USAID alumni have organized the Development Wallahs picnic in Vermont. Despite the abrupt and destructive liquidation of USAID, attendance at the picnic was the highest ever and pride in USAID’s accomplishments was off the charts.

UAA Development Issues Committee Discussion: 

Tod Preston, Executive Director of the Managing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) 

The Development Issues Committee hosted Tod Preston, Executive Director of the Managing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) on October 7, 2025.  Mr. Preston highlighted MFAN’s advocacy for transparency in foreign assistance, the importance of local ownership and for continuing support for international development. He discussed the fiscal year 2026 appropriations deliberations noting that, despite concerning reductions overall, some sectors have received support on Capitol Hill. He referred to recent publications by MFAN on the Department of State’s Global Health Strategy and on recommendations regarding the operational requirements for administering foreign assistance. Salient points from the ensuing discussion addressed windows of opportunity for rebuilding development assistance and the importance of reestablishing an independent development arm of the U.S. Government.

UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue: 

USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer on “How America Wins in the World”

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer spoke to a sell-out luncheon audience at DACOR. She backed up her talk’s ambitious title “How America Wins in the World” by citing a number of recent important USGLC accomplishments in addressing today’s challenges and by setting out a program of ideas for further building support for development cooperation throughout the nation and in Congress. Many of these ideas are included in the USGLC’s recent report linked here. She welcomed the suggestion for close cooperation with UAA in support of common objectives. At Ms. Schrayer’s request the program was not recorded.

UAA Development Issues Committee Discussion: 

Dr. Homi Kharas on “From Aid-Driven To Investment-Driven Models of Sustainable Development”

The Development Issues Committee hosted a discussion on September 9 with Dr. Homi Kharas, Senior Fellow with the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Kharas presented his co-authored paper, “From Aid-Driven to Investment-Driven Models of Sustainable Development.” The paper argues that development finance should be based on estimates of financial needs for environmentally sustainable development in Emerging and Developing Economies in an inter-connected world and that both public and private resources should be mobilized to address these needs. Identified needs include health and education, physical infrastructure, resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.

UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue: 

Yun Sun on “How Will China Exploit the Retreat of U.S. Diplomacy and Aid?”

On July 22, 2025, a large crowd at DACOR and online heard a very interesting and detailed presentation from Yun Sun, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the East Asia Program and Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center. Her topic at this UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue luncheon was the very timely “How Will China Exploit the Retreat of U.S. Diplomacy and Aid?” Click here to see the full program, including the Q&A period.

UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue: 

George Ingram on “Where is Development Going? Learning from Experience.”

On Monday, May 19, George Ingram, retiring Senior Fellow at the Brookings’ Center for Sustainable Development, led a conversation with a sold-out crowd at a UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue hybrid luncheon at DACOR on “Where is Development Going? Learning from Experience.”   The meeting concluded with a slide show tribute to George for his more than fifty years of development experience. Click here to follow the entire session.

UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue: 

Prof. Danny Leipziger spoke on Industrial Policy

On Friday, April 4, 2025, GWU Professor and long-time World Bank economist Danny Leipziger spoke at a UAA/DACOR Development Dialogue (hybrid) luncheon session at DACOR.  His engaging and thought-provoking topic was “Is Industrial Policy Still a Dirty Word?”  He provided a great synthesis of evolving views on industrial policy, with useful references to history and to contributions of eminent researchers and to World Bank thinking and policy as well.  To access the full session video click here.

“The Enduring Struggle:  The History of the U.S. Agency for International Development and America’s Uneasy Transformation of the World “

by John Norris

John Norris‘ book, The Enduring Struggle – The History of the Agency for International Development and America’s Uneasy Transformation of the World, was published in July 2021. In a short review, Foreign Affairs wrote:  “This comprehensive history of the U.S. Agency for International Development…deserves to be read by all students of U.S. foreign policy.”  A very positive review of The Enduring Struggle by Mary Jane Maxwell has recently been published in the Journal of World History.  (Read it here.)  Copies may be purchased from the publisher at a 30 percent discount by using the form at this link.  Alumni with suggestions for events that will popularize the book or to generate reviews should send their suggestions to Alex Shakow at ashakow@comcast.net.

Additions to the Bibliography of USAID Authors

Supporting Our Mission Israel LE Staff Colleagues Via the FSN Emergency Relief Fund

Our colleagues, especially the Locally Employed Staff at Mission Israel and those residing in Gaza, are directly affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.  This includes those working for USAID.

AFSA would like to draw attention to the opportunity for all of us to meaningfully support our colleagues by giving to the FSN Emergency Relief Fund. We urge you to continue reading here to learn more about this Fund and to explore how you can lend your support.

Emergency Relief Funds for Ukraine:  for FSNs and for Ukrainian Citizens

For information about contributing to relief of the Ukraine emergency, including the FSN Emergency Relief Fund and ways to support the people of Ukraine compiled by DACOR Bacon House Foundation’s Development Office, click here.

UAA Partnership with American University Library Archives

Since 2019 the American University Library Archives have welcomed donations of AID alumni personal memorabilia of their USAID service. The UAA has now established a partnership with the Archives to support the preparation, processing, and making available to researchers of these papers, including those donated by the UAA and by individual alumni and others.  We envision the program will continue for five or more years; after two years the Archivist and UAA will assess the program’s effectiveness before committing for the additional years.  The UAA has pledged an initial sum of $10,000 over two years ($5,000 each year) to finance student interns to help prepare and organize these papers and make them more easily available. The funding for this program is drawn entirely from contributions made to the AID history project, which included the clear hope that the book would stimulate further study and understanding of AID’s more than 60 years of development history. AID alumni are strongly urged to consider donating their memorabilia to this collection. (See https://usaidalumni.org/uaa-and-american-university-archives-opportunity-for-usaid-alumni/)