Keynote Armchair Conversation

Keynote Armchair Discussion 
9:15 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.

Featuring:

Administrator Mark Green
Mark Green was sworn in as the 18th USAID Administrator in August 2017. Prior to joining USAID, he served as president of the International Republican Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy and human liberty around the world. He has also served as president and chief executive officer of the Initiative for Global Development, a nonprofit organization that engages corporate leaders to reduce poverty through business growth and investment in Africa and senior director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a network of 400 businesses, nongovernmental organizations, policy experts and other leaders supporting development tools in American foreign policy. A recognized leader in the foreign policy and business communities, Green served as the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania from mid-2007 to early 2009. While there, he led a mission of more than 350 Americans and Tanzanians and was ultimately responsible for some of the world’s largest U.S.-led development programs. Prior to serving as U.S. Ambassador, Green served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Wisconsin’s 8th District. While in Congress, he helped craft key policy initiatives including the Millennium Challenge Act and President George W. Bush’s history-making AIDS program. He also served as an Assistant Majority Whip.

 

James Richardson
James "Jim" Richardson is the Assistant to the Administrator in USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL) and is concurrently serving as the Coordinator of USAID’s Transformation Task Team, where he is leading the Agency’s historic reorganization. Mr. Richardson has nearly 20 years of government and the private sector experience. Prior to joining the Trump Administration, he was Chief of Staff for then-Congressman Mike Pompeo (KS-04)—overseeing Pompeo’s offices in Washington, DC and in Wichita, Kansas, as well as the campaign organization. Throughout his years in Washington, Mr. Richardson has spearheaded numerous complex operations and developed an extensive background in public policy and the legislative process.
Prior to leading Congressman Pompeo’s staff, Mr. Richardson worked with the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for Congressman Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), the House Armed Services Committee for Congressman Jim Ryun (KS-02), and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Senator John Ashcroft (R-MO). He started his government career with Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO). In addition to his direct Capitol Hill experience, Mr. Richardson was a Senior Associate for Collins & Company, where he specialized in legislative strategy and federal government appropriations for universities and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Richardson holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Government from Evangel University and a Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University. He is also a graduate of the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College (ACSC).

 

Daniel Runde
Daniel F. Runde is senior vice president, director of the Project on Prosperity and Development, and holds the William A. Schreyer Chair in Global Analysis at CSIS. His work centers on leveraging American soft power instruments and the central roles of the private sector and good governance in creating a more free and prosperous world. Previously, he led the Foundations Unit for the Department of Partnerships & Advisory Service Operations at the International Finance Corporation. His work facilitated and supported over $20 million in new funding through partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, and Visa International, among other global private and corporate foundations.

Earlier, Mr. Runde was director of the Office of Global Development Alliances at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He led the initiative by providing training, networks, staff, funds, and advice to establish and strengthen alliances, while personally consulting to 15 USAID missions in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. His efforts leveraged $4.8 billion through 100 direct alliances and 300 others through training and technical assistance. Mr. Runde began his career in financial services at Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc., in Baltimore and worked for both CitiBank and BankBoston in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He received an M.P.P. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and holds a B.A., cum laude, from Dartmouth College.