Date: 2025-07-02 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00017008
International Development Assistance
USAID
Sarah Glass ... Reflecting on my time at USAID
Peter Burgess
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Date: 2025-07-02 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00017008 | |||||||||
International Development Assistance | |||||||||
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Burgess COMMENTARY Peter Burgess | |||||||||
| Reflecting on my time at USAID Sarah Glass Acting Director, Center for Transformational Partnerships at USAID 1 article Follow Friends, Colleagues, and Partners, It has been an enormous privilege to be a part of the USAID team over the last six years. Truly, what an inspirational place. There are few other organizations in the world that are able to work on tackling systemic global problems at the size and scale of those problems. Bringing the generosity of the American people to support communities in need and address issues that matter for us all, no matter where we live, is the best of what it means to be American. I am especially thankful to Administrator Mark Green for his vision and support for Private Sector Engagement, as a means to increase the scale and sustainability of USAID's impact. He has said that private enterprise is one of the most powerful forces for lifting lives and strengthening communities, and I agree. This vision was not new for USAID when Administrator Green came to the Agency in 2017. Since the establishment of the Development Credit Authority and the Global Development Alliance nearly 20 years ago, across multiple administrations USAID has been innovating and leading on bringing the power and potential of private enterprise to development. I am grateful to all of those early leaders in the Agency and in the private sector who have shaped the path ahead--both for their vision and hard work, as well as for their friendship and mentorship as they have moved on to new roles but stayed connected to the Agency. In the last few years, I am excited that we have had the opportunity to learn from the successes in private sector engagement (PSE) in pockets across USAID's work and begin to institutionalize PSE as a core way of working across all sectors and in all of the communities that USAID supports. This, of course, would not be possible if it weren't for the shift we have also seen in the private sector. I am increasingly inspired by the number of business executives, company staff, shareholders and consumers who are stepping up to proclaim the importance of business leadership on social and environmental issues. Without the leadership of both the public and the private sectors, we will not be able to solve the enormous challenges we face around the world. I'm proud of the work that we have done at USAID to publish not only a new Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Policy for the Agency, but also a companion Evidence and Learning Plan and recommendations on the path forward for PSE at USAID from a dedicated volunteer advisory committee of private sector leaders. In addition, we have worked with NGOs and development implementing partners to gather their learnings on best practices in private sector engagement; recommendations from that effort will be out for review in the coming weeks. Overall, I am incredibly grateful to the talented team of dedicated foreign service officers, foreign service nationals, civil servants and partners who have helped shape this effort. USAID has great people and great partners, and it has been an honor to be among them. As I leave the Agency, I want to express special thanks to my teams at USAID. The Center for Transformational Partnerships in the U.S. Global Development Lab (Lab) and the Office of Private Capital and MicroEnterprise in the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3) will shortly come together under USAID's Transformation Plan to form the new Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Hub -- a central team within the Agency that serves as the cross-sectoral hub for PSE, connecting other USAID offices and Missions to PSE-related resources and support. It has been a privilege to work with these two talented teams over the last several years. I am also grateful to have been part of: standing up the U.S. Global Development Lab, responding to the 2014/2015 Ebola epidemic, and supporting USAID's Transformation Task Team. Whether by necessity or inspiration, all of these teams sought new ways of working for USAID. It's important to carve out space in any organization to innovate, evolve and test new ideas, and it was fun to be a part of a culture that's committed to making that happen. For those of you wondering who you should contact on PSE, as I leave USAID -- the fantastic Karl Fickenscher, E3 Deputy Assistant Administrator and PSE Senior Leadership Champion, will continue to lead the PSE Team. He is supported by Beth Hain, Acting Director of the E3 Office of Private Capital and MicroEnterprise (E3/PCM) and Nicholas Bassey, Acting Director of the Lab Center for Transformational Partnerships (Lab/CTP). They are a great team, and they are looking forward to hearing from you! In addition, check out this list of newly named PSE Points of Contact across the Agency for USAID's PSE leaders and champions at a country, regional or sector/office level. I am thrilled to be joining the team at World Wildlife Fund later this month as Senior Director, Private Sector Engagement. In my new role, I will be cheering USAID on from across town. I believe deeply in the mission of the Agency, and in the talented team of foreign and civil servants who carry it around the world. Report this Published by Sarah Glass Sarah Glass Acting Director, Center for Transformational Partnerships at USAID Published • 3d 1 article Follow Like Comment Share 197 25 Comments Reactions Laurence Day Rob Baker Paul McDermott Lisa Childs Ana Luisa Pinto Mary Margaret Frank Jennifer Henel Matthew Everhart … 25 Comments Comments on Sarah Glass’ article Peter Burgess Add a comment… Images 1d Ragland, Jennifer Ragland, Jennifer 2nd degree connection2nd Senior Director, Government & Stakeholder Relations What a wonderful message! Really valued our relationship and all that you did to enhance the partnership between USAID and Coca-Cola. Look forward to continuing to work with you in your new capacity! Like Like Ragland, Jennifer’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Ragland, Jennifer’s comment 1d Shanta Bryant Gyan Shanta Bryant Gyan 2nd degree connection2nd Senior Communications & Engagement Lead, USAID's Promoting Excellence in Private Sector Engagement at Resonance Loved working with you on the PSE Team! Thank you for your tireless dedication and commitment to PSE at USAID. We'll look forward to hearing more about your work at WWF.... Like Like Shanta Bryant Gyan’s comment Reply 2 Likes 2 Likes on Shanta Bryant Gyan’s comment 1d Sepideh Keyvanshad Sepideh Keyvanshad 2nd degree connection2nd Senior Advisor - Interstate Competition and Stabilization at United States Institute of Peace It was so great to work with you Sarah. You will be missed at USAID. Congrats on your new position - you will be just as amazing there! Like Like Sepideh Keyvanshad’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Sepideh Keyvanshad’s comment 1d Katie Qutub Katie Qutub 2nd degree connection2nd A motivated problem solver who delivers results Missing you already!! WWF is lucky to have you. Like Like Katie Qutub’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Katie Qutub’s comment 1d Dany Khy Dany Khy 2nd degree connection2nd Director, Chemonics Congrats Sarah! Like Like Dany Khy’s comment Reply 2 Likes 2 Likes on Dany Khy’s comment 1d Don Haszczyn Don Haszczyn 2nd degree connection2nd Head of Fundraising at SOS Children's Villages International Congrats Sarah. Like Like Don Haszczyn’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Don Haszczyn’s comment 1d Francisco 'Alex' Escobar Francisco 'Alex' Escobar 2nd degree connection2nd Real Estate Agent Congrats Sarah! Like Like Francisco 'Alex' Escobar’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Francisco 'Alex' Escobar’s comment 1d Dr. Neeraj Mishra Dr. Neeraj Mishra 2nd degree connection2nd Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Lead at Fleming Fund Congrats.... Like Like Dr. Neeraj Mishra’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Dr. Neeraj Mishra’s comment 1d Juliet MacDowell Juliet MacDowell 2nd degree connection2nd A head for development, a heart for the world. What an exciting move! Congratulations. Like Like Juliet MacDowell’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Juliet MacDowell’s comment 2d Daniel S. Holt Daniel S. Holt 2nd degree connection2nd Founder, Anchorage Partners. Twitter: @DanielSHolt1 Sarah, thank you for your years of dedication to important and difficult work. Congrats and very best of luck at WWF! Like Like Daniel S. Holt’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Daniel S. Holt’s comment 2d Susan Reichle Susan Reichle 2nd degree connection2nd President and CEO at International Youth Foundation Congratulations Sarah Glass and wishing you all the best! Like Like Susan Reichle’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Susan Reichle’s comment 2d John Garrity John Garrity 2nd degree connection2nd Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP Best of luck on your next adventure, Sarah! It was a pleasure working with you during my stint at USAID. All the best! Like Like John Garrity’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on John Garrity’s comment 2d Mitchell Craft Mitchell Craft 2nd degree connection2nd Executive Communications Manager at PepsiCo Congrats, Sarah! USAID has benefited greatly because of your leadership and WWF is very lucky to get you! Like Like Mitchell Craft’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Mitchell Craft’s comment 2d Christopher Schmidt Christopher Schmidt 2nd degree connection2nd Special Assistant at USAID, MS Candidate at Johns Hopkins University Congrats! Like Like Christopher Schmidt’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Christopher Schmidt’s comment 2d Lowther, Joseph Lowther, Joseph 2nd degree connection2nd Senior Technical Director, Cardno Emerging Markets USA Ltd. Thanks for all your hard work and congratulations on your accomplishments at USAID. Good luck in the new job! Like Like Lowther, Joseph’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Lowther, Joseph’s comment 2d Joanne Sonenshine Joanne Sonenshine 2nd degree connection2nd CEO Connective Impact: Partnership Strategy and Collaboration in Sustainability & Social Impact Best of luck Sarah! Like Like Joanne Sonenshine’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Joanne Sonenshine’s comment 2d Bonnie Glick Bonnie Glick 2nd degree connection2nd Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer of United States Agency for International Development at USAID Godspeed! Like Like Bonnie Glick’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Bonnie Glick’s comment 2d Alexandra R. Alexandra R. 2nd degree connection2nd Director - Evidence, Learning, & Impact at Moonshot Global Thank you for your amazing leadership and mentorship Sarah! Your inspire teams to achieve things that seem impossible! Like Like Alexandra R.’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Alexandra R.’s comment 2d Katrina Shackelford Katrina Shackelford 2nd degree connection2nd We are hiring! Congrats Sarah! Like Like Katrina Shackelford’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Katrina Shackelford’s comment 2d Katie Sell Garcia Katie Sell Garcia 2nd degree connection2nd Director, Office of Market and Partnership Innovations (Acting), USAID Bureau for Food Security Well said, Sarah! Wishing you all the best at WWF and can’t wait to hear all about your new adventures. USAID will miss you! Like Like Katie Sell Garcia’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Katie Sell Garcia’s comment 2d Marcus Johnson Marcus Johnson 2nd degree connection2nd Senior Development Advisor, USAID/USUN Thank you and all very best Sarah! I absolutely know you will do (more) great things in the future. Like Like Marcus Johnson’s comment Reply 1 Like 1 Like on Marcus Johnson’s comment 2d Peter Gape Peter Gape 2nd degree connection2nd National Director, World Vision Guatemala All the best Sarah! | |||||||||