President Obama Appoints Jack Leslie As Chairman of USADF's Board of Directors:

WASHINGTON - September 10, 2009  

September 10, 2009 –The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) today announced that Mr. Jack Leslie has been appointed by the President of the United States to be Chairman of the Agency’s Board of Directors.  Mr. Leslie, who had been serving as the Board’s Vice-Chairman, brings knowledge, commitment, and passion for Africa to both the Board of Directors and the Foundation.

Currently Chairman of Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading public relations and public affairs firms, Mr. Leslie has a longstanding history with USADF and Africa.  As a crisis communications advisor, Mr. Leslie consulted with the NY Port Authority after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, with American Airlines following September 11, 2001, and testified before Congress on US public diplomacy programs directed at the Muslim world after the 2001 terrorist attacks.  Mr. Leslie is former Chairman of the Board of USA for UNHCR and a participant in UNHCR Missions to Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Tanzania.  He has a deep interest in African development, has been heavily involved in the work of USADF, and has been on missions to 13 sub-Saharan countries.  In 1976, he joined the staff of the late Senator Edward Kennedy, the sponsor of legislation establishing USADF.  Mr. Leslie is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

“I have long believed USADF has a unique role to play in Africa to see that the most under-served, most marginalized communities in Africa gain a greater voice in the development process. What I value most about USADF’s approach is that it not only provides aid where it is most needed, it also helps communities find creative solutions to address their social and economic problems. By doing so, it fosters sustainable development to generate jobs, higher incomes, and improved social conditions. In a time of global economic downturn, which has seen a greater number of Africa’s poor falling even further behind, this work is more urgent than ever,” Mr. Leslie said.

Mr. Leslie believes in targeting the “bottom billion” – those who make up the most impoverished, under-served, and under-privileged communities in Africa.  He sees job creation and other income-generating activities as an opportunity to lift people out of poverty.  Because of his vision and active service to the continent, USADF welcomes his leadership and looks forward to his continued service to the people of Africa.

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is a United States Government agency dedicated to expanding access to economic opportunity in Africa. Currently USADF operates in 20 African nations.  Over the past 25 years, USADF has funded nearly 1,500 projects representing in excess of $150 million in support of African enterprises and local African communities. For more information on USADF, its programs and application guidelines, visit www.usadf.gov.

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